What to plant this week in San Jose, CA
San Jose gardeners are deep in the heart of summer, with nights rarely dipping below 25°F and frost dates long past. This week focuses on harvesting abundant melons, squash, and beans while keeping heat-tolerant sowing lists like okra and Malabar spinach in rotation.
The next 7 days
San Jose, CAGrowing in San Jose right now
- The Santa Clara Valley's hot, dry summers demand consistent irrigation; mulch heavily to retain soil moisture as evaporation rates climb quickly.
- While the urban microclimate stays mild, check soil pH regularly since local clay-loam can become compacted under intense summer sun and heat.
- Space-planning is critical now for pole beans and zucchini to maximize yield before the late-season dry spell slows growth.
- Take advantage of the current window to sow annuals like Zinnias and French Marigolds; they will thrive in our specific valley warmth but need starting immediately.
Sow this week
18 crops- Basil
- Borage
- Bush Bean
- Cleome (Spider Flower)
- Cucumber
- French Marigold
- Malabar Spinach
- Nasturtium
- Okra
- Pole Bean
- Scarlet Runner Bean
- Shiso (Japanese Basil)
- Summer Savory
- Thai Basil
- Vinca (Madagascar Periwinkle)
- Yellow Summer Squash
- Zinnia
- Zucchini
Transplant this week
Nothing is due to go out this week.
Harvest soon
36 crops- Basil
- Borage
- Bush Bean
- Cantaloupe
- Cleome (Spider Flower)
- Cosmos
- Cowpea (Black-Eyed Pea)
- Cucumber
- Edamame
- Fennel
- Flour Corn
- French Marigold
- Garden Verbena
- Garlic
- Gourd (Ornamental/Bottle)
- Honeydew Melon
- Lima Bean
- Loofah (Luffa)
- Malabar Spinach
- Nasturtium
- Okra
- Pole Bean
- Pumpkin
- Roselle (Cranberry Hibiscus)
- Scarlet Runner Bean
- Shiso (Japanese Basil)
- Summer Savory
- Sunflower
- Sweet Corn
- Thai Basil
- Vinca (Madagascar Periwinkle)
- Watermelon
- Winter Squash
- Yellow Summer Squash
- Zinnia
- Zucchini
Seasonal tips
- Succession sow fast-maturing varieties like bush beans to extend your harvest window before the first frost in mid-December.
- Mulch around summer squash and pumpkin plants now to retain soil moisture as temperatures begin their annual dip.
- Prune back any leggy tomato or pepper vines if they are still growing, but be gentle with heavy harvest crops.
Pest & disease watch
- Spider mites are exploding on basil and summer squash due to low humidity and high temperatures this week.
- Cutworms remain active at night, chewing through the stems of newly sown cucumber and bush bean seedlings.
- Powdery mildew is appearing on older okra leaves; water early in the morning to help dry foliage before noon.
Watering this week
Water deeply in the late afternoon to keep soil cool, ensuring consistent moisture for your heavy feeders like okra and cucumbers.
Save seeds from your zinnias and sunflowers now while they are still green to ensure a fresh batch for next year's bloom.
San Jose gardening questions
3Can I still start tomatoes or peppers this week?
No, most warm-season transplants like tomatoes and peppers are past their optimal planting window for San Jose's current heat. Wait until soil cools slightly later in summer or consider starting them indoors now if you plan to plant next spring.
My cantaloupes aren't ripening on the vine; what should I do?
Since harvest is listed as soon, check for signs of rot by gently rolling the fruit off the vine and placing it in a cool spot to finish ripening indoors.
How do I protect my Malabar spinach from the intense afternoon sun?
Malabar spinach thrives in our valley heat but benefits from light afternoon shading during peak summer stress. Water deeply every other day if you can't provide physical shade cloth to keep leaves crisp and green.
Other cities in zone 9b
10See the full zone 9b guide → · Plan your San Jose garden in SproutGuide →