What to plant this week in Tampa, FL
Tampa's sub-tropical heat means frost is long gone, and this week marks the start of a 12-month growing season where you can sow warm-season staples like okra and watermelon right into the ground. With temperatures hovering well above freezing since mid-January, your focus shifts to managing rapid growth and preparing for the upcoming rainy season rather than protecting tender seedlings from cold.
The next 7 days
Tampa, FLGrowing in Tampa right now
- Tampa's sandy, acidic soils drain quickly, so add compost or organic matter around the base of squash and pumpkins to improve water retention before heavy rains arrive.
- The city sits in a low-lying coastal plain prone to flash flooding; ensure raised beds have excellent drainage and avoid planting low-growing beans directly on flat ground near streets.
- High humidity accelerates fungal issues, so space out your zinnias and marigolds widely for airflow instead of planting them tightly together as seen in seed catalogs.
Sow this week
33 crops- Basil
- 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
35 crops- Basil
- 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
- 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 bush beans and pole beans every two weeks to ensure a steady harvest throughout the growing season.
- Pinch back the tips of basil and summer savory regularly to encourage bushier growth and prevent flowering.
- Apply a light layer of mulch around newly transplanted squash and pumpkins to retain moisture as soil warms up.
Pest & disease watch
- Aphids are currently exploding on the undersides of basil and Thai basil leaves due to the warm, humid conditions; check daily and spray with insecticidal soap if infestations appear.
- Spider mites often emerge when temperatures rise above 85°F, particularly on sunflower and fennel plants in the downtown areas where wind is less prevalent.
- Cucumber beetles are active now and will quickly devastate your bush beans and cucumbers if not controlled early with row covers or organic spinosad.
Watering this week
Water deeply at the base of plants every 2-3 days during this hot season to keep roots cool and productive.
Harvest young zucchini fruits daily when they are small to signal the plant to continue producing more fruit.
Tampa gardening questions
3Can I plant cold-season crops like lettuce or spinach now?
No, Tampa's current heat and humidity will cause these plants to bolt immediately and become bitter. Wait until November for a cool-season crop window when night temperatures drop below 70°F.
When should I start planning for hurricane season protection?
Begin securing tall stakes for your pole beans, sunflowers, and trellises by mid-May as winds pick up in June. Prune dead branches from ornamental gourds to prevent wind damage during the peak storm months of August and September.
How do I handle the heavy summer rains without watering my plants?
Most of your current sowables like okra, watermelon, and squash are drought-tolerant once established, but monitor for waterlogging which can drown roots. If you see standing water in low spots after a storm, create temporary mounds or improve drainage immediately to prevent root rot.
Other cities in zone 10a
6See the full zone 10a guide → · Plan your Tampa garden in SproutGuide →