What to plant this week in Santa Barbara, CA
In Santa Barbara's mild 10b climate, the absence of frost dates means you can aggressively sow warm-season crops like Bush Beans and Yellow Summer Squash directly into the soil this week. With minimum temperatures holding steady around 35°F, your focus is strictly on maximizing yield before the summer heat peaks.
The next 7 days
Santa Barbara, CAGrowing in Santa Barbara right now
- Santa Barbara's coastal fog often brings cool, damp mornings; water deeply in the late afternoon to prevent leaf diseases like powdery mildew on Zinnias and Cucumbers.
- Local sandy loam soils dry out quickly under intense sun; mulch heavily around Okra and Malabar Spinach roots to retain moisture without stifling drainage.
- Avoid transplanting anything this week as per local conditions; instead, direct sow all listed seeds like Thai Basil and Scarlet Runner Beans for best establishment.
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
34 crops- Basil
- Borage
- Bush Bean
- Cantaloupe
- Cleome (Spider Flower)
- Cosmos
- Cowpea (Black-Eyed Pea)
- Cucumber
- Fennel
- Flour Corn
- French Marigold
- Garden Verbena
- 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 crops like French marigolds or nasturtiums every two weeks for continuous blooms.
- Thin out crowded seedlings of summer squash and pole beans to ensure strong air circulation.
- Apply a light layer of compost around heavy feeders like okra and melons to boost nitrogen levels.
Pest & disease watch
- Aphids frequently cluster on the new growth of Fennel and Nasturtium during these cool, wet mornings.
- Spider mites begin to appear on Zinnia leaves as humidity drops in exposed coastal areas.
- Watch for slugs feasting on young Cleome and Malabar Spinach seedlings near garden perimeters.
Watering this week
Water deeply in the early morning to keep foliage dry and reduce fungal risks on these warm-weather crops.
Harvest your watermelons by checking for a creamy yellow spot underneath where they touch the ground, indicating ripeness.
Santa Barbara gardening questions
3Can I start my tomatoes or peppers inside now since there is no frost?
While you technically won't freeze, the current cool spring air in Santa Barbara slows tomato and pepper growth indoors. It is better to wait until late April when daytime highs consistently exceed 70°F before starting these transplants.
My Bush Beans are wilting despite watering; is this normal for our clay patches?
Wilting often indicates root stress from wet, heavy clay soil rather than thirst in Santa Barbara. Gently scratch away some surface soil to improve aeration and ensure water isn't pooling around the roots.
When should I harvest my Cantaloupe and Honeydew Melons planted last week?
Your melons will be ready for harvest soon, indicated by a heavy rind that resists puncture and a strong, musky aroma at the stem end. Cut them from the vine using shears rather than pulling to avoid damaging the remaining fruit.
Other cities in zone 10b
4See the full zone 10b guide → · Plan your Santa Barbara garden in SproutGuide →