What to plant this week in San Francisco, CA
San Francisco gardeners in zone 10b face no frost risk this week, allowing you to sow Daikon Radish immediately while harvesting a massive array of summer crops like Zucchini and Watermelon. With the city's unique microclimates and coastal fog, focus on managing moisture extremes that can vary block by block. This is peak season for heavy harvests, so ensure your trellises for Pole Beans are secure before the afternoon storms roll in.
The next 7 days
San Francisco, CAGrowing in San Francisco right now
- Check if you live in the dry inner-city fog belt or the wetter coast to adjust watering; the fog often keeps soil damp but can cool night temps too low for tropical Okra.
- San Francisco's heavy clay soils drain poorly in summer heat, so add compost before harvesting squash varieties like Delicata and Butternut to prevent rotting roots.
- Utilize the mild nights this week to extend your harvest window; pick Cantaloupe and Honeydew Melon early morning when sugars are highest after a cool night.
- Rinse all harvested beans and corn of stray ants, which are particularly active on sweet crops in our warm, urban heat islands.
Sow this week
1 crops- Daikon Radish
Transplant this week
Nothing is due to go out this week.
Harvest soon
42 crops- Acorn Squash
- Basil
- Borage
- Bush Bean
- Butternut Squash
- Cantaloupe
- Celosia (Cockscomb)
- Cleome (Spider Flower)
- Cosmos
- Cowpea (Black-Eyed Pea)
- Cucumber
- Delicata Squash
- Fennel
- Flour Corn
- French Marigold
- Garden Verbena
- Gomphrena (Globe Amaranth)
- Gourd (Ornamental/Bottle)
- Honeydew Melon
- Lima Bean
- Loofah (Luffa)
- Malabar Spinach
- Morning Glory
- Nasturtium
- Okra
- Pole Bean
- Pumpkin
- Purslane
- Roselle (Cranberry Hibiscus)
- Scarlet Runner Bean
- Shiso (Japanese Basil)
- Spaghetti Squash
- Summer Savory
- Sunflower
- Sweet Corn
- Thai Basil
- Vinca (Madagascar Periwinkle)
- Watermelon
- Winter Squash
- Yellow Summer Squash
- Zinnia
- Zucchini
Seasonal tips
- Succession sow bush beans or pole beans now to maintain a steady supply of fresh pods throughout the summer.
- Mulch around newly planted okra and melons to retain moisture and keep roots cool in the heat.
- Thin out dense seedlings of sweet corn and zucchini to ensure proper air circulation and maximum yield.
Pest & disease watch
- Spider Mites: Watch closely on Shiso and Thai Basil leaves for webbing as the dry inner-city air dries out foliage faster than usual.
- Aphids: Monitor Zinnias and Cosmos for sudden swarms that thrive in the sheltered warmth of courtyard gardens away from the breeze.
- Squash Bugs: Inspect under Acorn and Butternut Squash leaves immediately to prevent wilting, as egg-laying peaks during these warm weeks.
Watering this week
Water deeply at the base of plants early in the morning to reduce evaporation and prevent leaf burn during the heat.
Harvest cucumbers daily when they are young and crisp to encourage the plant to produce more fruit.
San Francisco gardening questions
3Can I plant Daikon Radish now if I have limited space?
Yes, sow the seeds directly in pots or narrow raised beds since they grow vertically and tolerate cool soil well. Keep them consistently moist to prevent radicchio-like bitterness as they mature quickly in our mild zone 10b climate.
My Zucchini is turning yellow at the stem end; should I harvest it?
Harvest immediately if the discoloration is near the stem, as this indicates over-maturity and loss of flavor for Yellow Summer Squash. Cut the fruit before it splits to avoid damaging the plant, which will still produce more Zucchini today.
Is there any reason not to harvest Watermelon or Pumpkin now?
No, these are at peak ripeness this week in San Francisco's warm season; let them sit on the vine just a few more days for extra sweetness if your vines look healthy. Ensure you cut the stem cleanly with pruning shears rather than pulling to avoid rotting the rind.
Other cities in zone 10b
4See the full zone 10b guide → · Plan your San Francisco garden in SproutGuide →