What to plant this week in Zone 11a
Zone 11a gardeners are in full swing with no frost worries, as you can sow warm-season favorites like okra, cucumber, and zinnia now. Focus your energy on harvesting abundant crops including watermelon, sweet corn, and basil while they reach peak flavor.
The next 7 days
Sample: Miami, FLToday
9/12
89°
77°
💧31%
Sun
9/13
90°
76°
💧36%
Mon
9/14
89°
74°
💧26%
Tue
9/15
88°
84°
💧46%
Wed
9/16
87°
82°
💧62%
Thu
9/17
86°
82°
💧44%
Fri
9/18
87°
83°
💧61%
Avg high 88°F
Rain total 1.3"
Humidity 73%
Wind 7.7 mph
In the ground
Sow this week
13 crops- Basil
- Cleome (Spider Flower)
- Cucumber
- French Marigold
- Malabar Spinach
- Nasturtium
- Okra
- Shiso (Japanese Basil)
- Thai Basil
- Vinca (Madagascar Periwinkle)
- Yellow Summer Squash
- Zinnia
- Zucchini
Move out
Transplant this week
Nothing is due to go out this week.
Coming ripe
Harvest soon
24 crops- Basil
- Cantaloupe
- Cleome (Spider Flower)
- Cosmos
- Cowpea (Black-Eyed Pea)
- Cucumber
- French Marigold
- Garden Verbena
- Gourd (Ornamental/Bottle)
- Honeydew Melon
- Loofah (Luffa)
- Malabar Spinach
- Nasturtium
- Okra
- Roselle (Cranberry Hibiscus)
- Shiso (Japanese Basil)
- Sunflower
- Sweet Corn
- Thai Basil
- Vinca (Madagascar Periwinkle)
- Watermelon
- Yellow Summer Squash
- Zinnia
- Zucchini
Do this now
Seasonal tips
- Succession sow Malabar Spinach or Shiso every two weeks for a continuous harvest of tender leaves.
- Pinch back the tops of growing cucumbers and yellow summer squash to encourage bushier plants and more fruit.
- Deadhead spent Zinnia blooms regularly to keep flowers vibrant and promote new bud formation.
Keep watch
Pest & disease watch
- Monitor slugs and snails on young Cleome seedlings and Malabar Spinach leaves, especially after rain.
- Watch for aphids clustering on the undersides of Okra and Thai Basil foliage.
- Check Container-grown Vinca and French Marigolds for spider mites during this dry period.
Water
Watering this week
Water deeply in the morning to keep soil moist without promoting fungal issues on warm-season crops.
One more thing
Harvest sweet corn when the kernels are milky but not yet hard, ensuring maximum sweetness right at the break of dawn.
All year
Zone 11a planting calendar
102 cropsAverage planting and harvest windows for everything that grows in zone 11a — dates shift a week or two with the season, so treat them as a starting point and check the weekly guide above for what's open right now.
- Start indoors
- Sow outdoors
- Transplant
- Harvest
Vegetables 40
| Crop | Start indoors | Sow outdoors | Transplant | Harvest | Maturity | JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Acorn Squash | Jan 11 – Jan 18 | Feb 15 – Aug 23 | Feb 15 – Mar 1 | Apr 26 – Dec 1 | 85d | |
| Anaheim (New Mexico) Pepper | Dec 7 – Dec 21 | — | Feb 15 – Mar 1 | May 1 – May 20 | 78d | |
| Arugula | — | Jan 4 – Feb 15 | — | Feb 3 – Mar 27 | 35d | |
| Banana Pepper | Dec 7 – Dec 21 | — | Feb 15 – Mar 1 | Apr 21 – May 20 | 73d | |
| Beefsteak Tomato | Dec 21 – Jan 4 | — | Feb 8 – Feb 22 | Apr 29 – May 28 | 88d | |
| Bell Pepper | Dec 7 – Dec 21 | — | Feb 15 – Mar 1 | Apr 16 – May 30 | 75d | |
| Butternut Squash | Jan 11 – Jan 18 | Feb 15 – Aug 18 | Feb 15 – Mar 1 | May 8 – Dec 1 | 94d | |
| Carrot | — | Jan 11 – Mar 1 | — | Mar 12 – May 20 | 70d | |
| Cayenne Pepper | Dec 7 – Dec 21 | — | Feb 15 – Mar 1 | Apr 26 – May 20 | 75d | |
| Cherry Tomato | Dec 21 – Jan 4 | — | Feb 8 – Feb 22 | Apr 4 – May 3 | 63d | |
| Collard Greens | — | Jan 18 – Feb 15 | Feb 1 – Feb 15 | Mar 14 – May 1 | 65d | |
| Cowpea (Black-Eyed Pea) | — | Feb 15 – Sep 2 | — | Apr 16 – Dec 1 | 75d | |
| Cucumber | — | Feb 15 – Sep 27 | Feb 15 – Mar 1 | Apr 6 – Dec 1 | 58d | |
| Daikon Radish | — | Oct 13 – Nov 17 | — | Dec 2 – Jan 5 | 60d | |
| Delicata Squash | Jan 11 – Jan 18 | Feb 15 – Aug 23 | Feb 15 – Mar 1 | May 6 – Dec 1 | 90d | |
| Eggplant | Dec 7 – Dec 21 | — | Feb 15 – Mar 1 | Apr 21 – May 25 | 75d | |
| Ghost Pepper (Bhut Jolokia) | Nov 23 – Dec 7 | — | Feb 15 – Mar 1 | May 26 – Jun 29 | 110d | |
| Gourd (Ornamental/Bottle) | — | Feb 15 – Aug 3 | — | May 26 – Dec 1 | 110d | |
| Habanero Pepper | Dec 7 – Dec 21 | — | Feb 15 – Mar 1 | May 16 – Jun 9 | 95d | |
| Jalapeño | Dec 7 – Dec 21 | — | Feb 15 – Mar 1 | Apr 21 – May 25 | 75d | |
| Lettuce | Dec 21 – Jan 4 | Jan 4 – Feb 15 | Jan 18 – Feb 1 | Feb 18 – Apr 16 | 53d | |
| Loofah (Luffa) | — | Feb 15 – Jul 4 | Feb 15 – Mar 1 | May 16 – Dec 1 | 120d | |
| Malabar Spinach | Jan 11 – Jan 18 | Feb 15 – Sep 22 | Feb 15 – Mar 1 | Apr 16 – Dec 1 | 65d | |
| Marconi Pepper | Dec 7 – Dec 21 | — | Feb 15 – Mar 1 | May 1 – May 25 | 80d | |
| Mustard Greens | — | Jan 4 – Feb 15 | — | Feb 8 – Apr 1 | 40d | |
| Okra | — | Feb 22 – Sep 27 | Feb 22 – Mar 8 | Apr 18 – Dec 1 | 60d | |
| Poblano Pepper | Dec 7 – Dec 21 | — | Feb 15 – Mar 1 | Apr 21 – May 20 | 73d | |
| Radish | — | Jan 4 – Mar 1 | — | Jan 26 – Mar 31 | 26d | |
| Roma Tomato | Dec 21 – Jan 4 | — | Feb 8 – Feb 22 | Apr 19 – May 13 | 75d | |
| Roselle (Cranberry Hibiscus) | — | Feb 22 – Jul 4 | Feb 22 – Mar 8 | Jun 2 – Dec 1 | 125d | |
| Scallion (Bunching Onion) | — | Jan 4 – Mar 1 | — | Mar 5 – May 10 | 65d | |
| Serrano Pepper | Dec 7 – Dec 21 | — | Feb 15 – Mar 1 | May 1 – May 20 | 78d | |
| Shishito Pepper | Dec 7 – Dec 21 | — | Feb 15 – Mar 1 | Apr 11 – May 5 | 60d | |
| Spaghetti Squash | Jan 11 – Jan 18 | Feb 15 – Aug 13 | Feb 15 – Mar 1 | May 1 – Dec 1 | 93d | |
| Sweet Corn | — | Feb 8 – Sep 2 | — | Apr 14 – Dec 1 | 78d | |
| Sweet Potato | — | — | Feb 15 – Mar 15 | May 16 – Jul 13 | 105d | |
| Tomatillo | Dec 21 – Jan 4 | — | Feb 8 – Feb 22 | Apr 24 – Jun 2 | 88d | |
| Tomato | Dec 21 – Jan 4 | — | Feb 8 – Feb 22 | Apr 9 – May 18 | 73d | |
| Yellow Summer Squash | Jan 11 – Jan 18 | Feb 15 – Oct 7 | Feb 15 – Mar 1 | Apr 1 – Dec 1 | 50d | |
| Zucchini | Jan 11 – Jan 18 | Feb 15 – Oct 7 | Feb 15 – Mar 1 | Apr 1 – Dec 1 | 50d |
Herbs 10
| Crop | Start indoors | Sow outdoors | Transplant | Harvest | Maturity | JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Basil | Dec 21 – Jan 4 | Feb 15 – Sep 22 | Feb 15 – Mar 1 | Apr 6 – Dec 1 | 60d | |
| Cilantro | — | Jan 18 – Feb 15 | — | Feb 27 – Apr 11 | 48d | |
| Dill | — | Jan 18 – Mar 1 | — | Feb 27 – Apr 25 | 48d | |
| Ginger | — | — | Mar 1 – Mar 29 | — | 270d | |
| Lemongrass | — | — | Feb 1 – Mar 1 | — | 105d | |
| Mint | — | — | Feb 1 – Mar 1 | — | 75d | |
| Purslane | — | Feb 8 – Oct 2 | — | Mar 25 – Dec 1 | 53d | |
| Rosemary | — | — | Feb 1 – Mar 1 | — | 273d | |
| Shiso (Japanese Basil) | Dec 21 – Jan 4 | Feb 8 – Sep 7 | Feb 8 – Feb 22 | Apr 19 – Dec 1 | 78d | |
| Thai Basil | Dec 21 – Jan 4 | Feb 15 – Sep 17 | Feb 15 – Mar 1 | Apr 16 – Dec 1 | 68d |
Fruits 21
| Crop | Start indoors | Sow outdoors | Transplant | Harvest | Maturity | JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avocado | — | — | Feb 15 – Mar 15 | — | 4.0 yr | |
| Banana | — | — | Feb 15 – Mar 15 | — | 360d | |
| Blood Orange | — | — | Feb 15 – Mar 15 | — | 2.5 yr | |
| Cantaloupe | Jan 11 – Jan 18 | Feb 15 – Sep 2 | Feb 15 – Mar 1 | Apr 26 – Dec 1 | 80d | |
| Fig | — | — | Feb 1 – Mar 1 | — | 1.5 yr | |
| Grapefruit | — | — | Feb 15 – Mar 15 | — | 2.5 yr | |
| Ground Cherry | Dec 21 – Jan 4 | — | Feb 8 – Feb 22 | Apr 14 – May 8 | 70d | |
| Guava | — | — | Feb 15 – Mar 15 | — | 2.5 yr | |
| Honeydew Melon | Jan 11 – Jan 18 | Feb 15 – Aug 23 | Feb 15 – Mar 1 | May 6 – Dec 1 | 90d | |
| Kaffir (Makrut) Lime | — | — | Feb 15 – Mar 15 | — | 2.5 yr | |
| Key Lime | — | — | Feb 15 – Mar 15 | — | 2.5 yr | |
| Kumquat | — | — | Feb 15 – Mar 15 | — | 2.5 yr | |
| Mandarin Orange (Satsuma) | — | — | Feb 15 – Mar 15 | — | 2.5 yr | |
| Mango | — | — | Feb 15 – Mar 15 | — | 4.0 yr | |
| Meyer Lemon | — | — | Feb 15 – Mar 15 | — | 2.5 yr | |
| Navel Orange | — | — | Feb 15 – Mar 15 | — | 2.5 yr | |
| Olive | — | — | Feb 1 – Mar 1 | — | 3.5 yr | |
| Persian (Tahiti) Lime | — | — | Feb 15 – Mar 15 | — | 2.5 yr | |
| Pineapple | — | — | Feb 15 – Mar 15 | — | 1.6 yr | |
| Valencia Orange | — | — | Feb 15 – Mar 15 | — | 2.5 yr | |
| Watermelon | Jan 11 – Jan 18 | Feb 15 – Aug 28 | Feb 15 – Mar 1 | May 1 – Dec 1 | 85d |
Flowers 31
| Crop | Start indoors | Sow outdoors | Transplant | Harvest | Maturity | JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ageratum (Floss Flower) | Dec 7 – Dec 21 | — | Feb 8 – Feb 22 | Apr 9 – May 18 | 73d | |
| Angelonia (Summer Snapdragon) | Dec 7 – Dec 21 | — | Feb 8 – Feb 22 | Apr 9 – May 23 | 75d | |
| Bachelor's Button (Cornflower) | — | Jan 4 – Feb 15 | — | Mar 10 – Apr 26 | 68d | |
| Bottlebrush | — | — | Feb 1 – Mar 1 | — | 2.5 yr | |
| Bougainvillea | — | — | Feb 1 – Mar 1 | — | 2.5 yr | |
| Cat’s Claw Vine | — | — | Feb 1 – Mar 1 | — | 2.5 yr | |
| Celosia (Cockscomb) | Dec 21 – Jan 4 | Feb 8 – Aug 28 | Feb 8 – Feb 22 | Apr 24 – Dec 1 | 85d | |
| Cleome (Spider Flower) | — | Feb 8 – Sep 17 | — | Apr 4 – Dec 1 | 65d | |
| Coleus | Dec 7 – Dec 21 | — | Feb 8 – Feb 22 | Apr 9 – May 23 | 75d | |
| Cosmos | — | Feb 8 – Sep 2 | — | Apr 9 – Dec 1 | 75d | |
| Craspedia (Billy Buttons) | Nov 23 – Dec 7 | — | Feb 8 – Feb 22 | May 9 – Jun 22 | 105d | |
| Dahlia | — | — | Feb 8 – Feb 22 | May 9 – Jun 22 | 105d | |
| French Marigold | Dec 28 – Jan 11 | Feb 8 – Oct 2 | Feb 8 – Feb 22 | Mar 25 – Dec 1 | 53d | |
| Garden Geranium (Zonal) | Nov 23 – Dec 7 | — | Feb 8 – Feb 22 | Apr 19 – May 23 | 80d | |
| Garden Verbena | Dec 7 – Dec 21 | Feb 8 – Sep 2 | Feb 8 – Feb 22 | Apr 19 – Dec 1 | 80d | |
| Gomphrena (Globe Amaranth) | Dec 21 – Jan 4 | Feb 8 – Aug 23 | Feb 8 – Feb 22 | May 4 – Dec 1 | 93d | |
| Hearts & Flowers (Heartleaf Iceplant) | — | — | Feb 8 – Mar 1 | — | 75d | |
| Lantana | Dec 7 – Dec 21 | — | Feb 8 – Feb 22 | Apr 19 – May 23 | 80d | |
| Morning Glory | Jan 11 – Jan 18 | Feb 8 – Sep 2 | Feb 8 – Feb 22 | Apr 14 – Dec 1 | 78d | |
| Nasturtium | — | Feb 8 – Sep 27 | — | Mar 30 – Dec 1 | 58d | |
| Ornamental Sweet Potato Vine | — | — | Feb 15 – Mar 15 | Apr 16 – Jun 13 | 75d | |
| Osteospermum (African Daisy) | Dec 7 – Dec 21 | — | Jan 25 – Feb 15 | Mar 26 – May 16 | 75d | |
| Pentas (Egyptian Star Flower) | Dec 7 – Dec 21 | — | Feb 8 – Feb 22 | Apr 19 – May 23 | 80d | |
| Petunia | Nov 23 – Dec 7 | — | Feb 8 – Feb 22 | Apr 19 – May 23 | 80d | |
| Queen’s Wreath (Coral Vine) | — | — | Feb 15 – Mar 1 | — | 1.5 yr | |
| Snapdragon | Dec 7 – Dec 21 | — | Jan 18 – Feb 1 | Apr 8 – May 12 | 90d | |
| Sunflower | — | Feb 8 – Aug 23 | — | Apr 19 – Dec 1 | 85d | |
| Sweet Alyssum | — | Jan 18 – Feb 15 | Feb 1 – Feb 15 | Mar 9 – Apr 16 | 55d | |
| Vinca (Madagascar Periwinkle) | Jan 4 – Jan 18 | Feb 8 – Sep 17 | Feb 8 – Feb 22 | Apr 9 – Dec 1 | 68d | |
| Yellow Orchid Vine | — | — | Feb 1 – Mar 1 | — | 2.5 yr | |
| Zinnia | Jan 4 – Jan 18 | Feb 8 – Sep 17 | Feb 8 – Feb 22 | Apr 9 – Dec 1 | 68d |
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