What to plant this week in San Jose, CA
In the warm 9b heat of San Jose, your garden is in full swing this week with no frost worries until mid-December. Focus on harvesting abundant crops like basil and summer squash while sowing new heat-lovers such as watermelon and okra to beat the dry air.
The next 7 days
San Jose, CAGrowing in San Jose right now
- San Jose's intense afternoon sun requires heavy mulching around transplants to keep soil moisture high during these dry weeks.
- The city's clay-heavy valley soils drain slowly, so avoid overwatering newly sown beans which can rot in standing puddles after rare rains.
- With temperatures often exceeding 90°F, provide afternoon shade cloth for delicate sowings like fennel and cleome to prevent scorching leaves.
- Dust accumulation on San Jose foliage is common; gently hose down ornamental zinnias weekly to improve airflow and deter fungal issues.
Sow this week
34 crops- Basil
- Black-Eyed Susan
- Borage
- Bush Bean
- Cantaloupe
- Cleome (Spider Flower)
- Cosmos
- Cowpea (Black-Eyed Pea)
- Cucumber
- Edamame
- Fennel
- Flour Corn
- French Marigold
- Garden Verbena
- Gourd (Ornamental/Bottle)
- Honeydew Melon
- Lima Bean
- Malabar Spinach
- Nasturtium
- Okra
- Pole Bean
- Pumpkin
- Scarlet Runner Bean
- Shiso (Japanese Basil)
- Summer Savory
- Sunflower
- Sweet Corn
- Thai Basil
- Vinca (Madagascar Periwinkle)
- Watermelon
- Winter Squash
- 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
- Start succession planting for bush beans and summer squash now to ensure a continuous harvest through the heat of August.
- Pinch back the tops of Basil, Shiso, and Thai Basil regularly today to encourage bushier growth and prevent flowering.
- Divide overcrowded Sunflowers or Zinnias if they are becoming leggy, replanting them for a fresh round of blooms.
Pest & disease watch
- Aphids are surging rapidly on the tender new growth of basil, edamame, and nasturtiums due to the warm, dry conditions.
- Spider mites thrive in San Jose's low humidity this week, particularly targeting sunflower petals and zinnia leaves, requiring frequent inspection under a magnifying glass.
- Slugs are emerging from cooler microclimates near water features to eat young bush bean shoots early in the morning.
Watering this week
Water deeply at the base of vegetable plants during the hottest part of the day to keep roots cool and soil moisture consistent.
Interplant fast-maturing Bush Beans with slower-growing Pumpkins or Winter Squash to maximize space in your garden bed.
San Jose gardening questions
3When can I finally plant my summer squash seeds directly outside without fear of frost?
You can sow yellow and winter squash outdoors right now since San Jose rarely sees a frost after January 30th. Just ensure you water deeply immediately after planting because our dry heat evaporates soil moisture quickly.
Is it too hot to transplant okra or watermelon into my garden this week?
While direct sowing is listed for these crops, they are also harvest-ready now if you started them indoors weeks ago. Since there is nothing in the transplant list, wait until next week when heat peaks before moving any seedlings from pots.
My basil plants look wilted even though I water them regularly; what should I do?
In San Jose's dry air, wilting often indicates rapid moisture loss rather than lack of watering. Try pinching off the top leaves to encourage bushier growth and misting the canopy twice daily to boost humidity around the plant.
Other cities in zone 9b
10See the full zone 9b guide → · Plan your San Jose garden in SproutGuide →