What to plant this week in Tampa, FL
In Tampa's subtropical heat of Zone 10a, the threat of frost has vanished since mid-January, allowing you to aggressively harvest your winter squash and melons while sowing cold-tolerant daikon radishes and lisianthus. This week marks a critical transition from fall cleanup to full-spring intensity as temperatures stabilize well above 30°F.
The next 7 days
Tampa, FLGrowing in Tampa right now
- Tampa's porous limestone soil warms quickly but can dry out fast in the sun; water deeply in the morning to keep squash roots hydrated without washing away fertilizer.
- With heavy afternoon thunderstorms common, use raised beds for okra and beans to prevent root rot during the wet season flush typical of late winter/early spring.
- Take advantage of our long frost-free window by planting heat-lovers like watermelon and edamame now; they thrive in Tampa's consistent 70s-80s daytime temps without a false start.
Sow this week
2 crops- Daikon Radish
- Lisianthus (Prairie Gentian)
Transplant this week
Nothing is due to go out this week.
Harvest soon
43 crops- Acorn Squash
- Basil
- Borage
- Bush Bean
- Butternut Squash
- Cantaloupe
- Celosia (Cockscomb)
- Cleome (Spider Flower)
- Cosmos
- Cowpea (Black-Eyed Pea)
- Cucumber
- Delicata Squash
- Edamame
- 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 and cucumbers every two weeks to extend your summer harvest window.
- Mulch around newly planted okra and summer savory to retain moisture as temperatures climb.
- Deadhead zinnias and cosmos frequently to encourage continuous blooming through the heat.
Pest & disease watch
- Watch for aphid swarms on your newly sown cosmos and zinnia as the humidity rises, treating with neem oil before blooms open.
- Monitor cutworm damage on low-growing cucumbers and nasturtiums right after rain events when larvae are most active in damp soil.
- Check the undersides of broad-leafed transplants for spider mites, which can explode in numbers during Tampa's dry spells between storms.
Watering this week
Water deeply in the morning to reduce evaporation and keep soil consistently moist but not soggy during this warm season.
Harvest zucchini and yellow summer squash daily when they are young to prevent them from becoming tough and seedy.
Tampa gardening questions
3When should I stop harvesting my winter squash varieties like butternut and delicata?
You can begin picking these now when the rinds harden and turn a deep, uniform color, typically starting next week as nights cool slightly. Leave a long stem attached to prevent rot at the harvest point.
Can I transplant my lisianthus or daikon radish directly into the ground this week?
Daikon can be sown directly in the ground now since Tampa has no frost risk until December, but start lisianthus indoors first as it dislikes root disturbance. Wait for seedlings to develop a few true leaves before hardening them off for outdoor placement.
My okra and bush beans are wilting after yesterday's heavy rain; is this normal?
Yes, waterlogged soil in our clay-heavy patches often causes temporary wilt that recovers once the ground drains. Ensure your containers have excellent drainage holes or amend in-ground plots with compost to improve aeration.
Other cities in zone 10a
6See the full zone 10a guide → · Plan your Tampa garden in SproutGuide →