What to plant this week in Zone 11a
With no frost dates to worry about, Zone 11a gardeners are in full swing for planting warm-season favorites like melons, okra, and squash. This is a prime week to sow seeds directly into the soil and begin harvesting your thriving summer crops.
The next 7 days
Sample: Miami, FLToday
7/28
86°
76°
💧35%
Wed
7/29
90°
77°
💧13%
Thu
7/30
92°
77°
💧18%
Fri
7/31
93°
84°
💧17%
Sat
8/1
90°
76°
💧45%
Sun
8/2
88°
83°
💧16%
Mon
8/3
89°
82°
💧25%
Avg high 90°F
Rain total 1.6"
Humidity 69%
Wind 9 mph
In the ground
Sow this week
22 crops- Basil
- Cantaloupe
- Cleome (Spider Flower)
- Cosmos
- Cowpea (Black-Eyed Pea)
- Cucumber
- French Marigold
- Garden Verbena
- Gourd (Ornamental/Bottle)
- Honeydew Melon
- Malabar Spinach
- Nasturtium
- Okra
- Shiso (Japanese Basil)
- Sunflower
- Sweet Corn
- Thai Basil
- Vinca (Madagascar Periwinkle)
- Watermelon
- 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 quick-maturing beans or lettuce between heavy harvests of corn and squash.
- Pinch back the tips of basil and marigolds regularly to encourage bushier growth.
- Add a light layer of organic mulch around young plants to retain moisture as heat increases.
Keep watch
Pest & disease watch
- Watch for aphids clustering on new tender growth of sunflowers and zinnias.
- Check under broad leaves of cucumbers and squash for early signs of squash bugs or beetles.
- Inspect okra plants regularly for loopers that can skeletonize the foliage.
Water
Watering this week
Provide deep watering in the early morning, especially during midday heat spikes to prevent wilting.
One more thing
Harvest basil leaves just before they flower to keep the plant producing fragrant greens longer.
All year
Zone 11a planting calendar
82 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 35
| Crop | Start indoors | Sow outdoors | Transplant | Harvest | Maturity | JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 | |
| 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 | |
| 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 | |
| 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 9
| 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 | |
| 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 17
| Crop | Start indoors | Sow outdoors | Transplant | Harvest | Maturity | JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor's Button (Cornflower) | — | Jan 4 – Feb 15 | — | Mar 10 – Apr 26 | 68d | |
| Cleome (Spider Flower) | — | Feb 8 – Sep 17 | — | Apr 4 – Dec 1 | 65d | |
| Cosmos | — | Feb 8 – Sep 2 | — | Apr 9 – Dec 1 | 75d | |
| 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 | |
| Hearts & Flowers (Heartleaf Iceplant) | — | — | Feb 8 – Mar 1 | — | 75d | |
| Lantana | Dec 7 – Dec 21 | — | Feb 8 – Feb 22 | Apr 19 – May 23 | 80d | |
| Nasturtium | — | Feb 8 – Sep 27 | — | Mar 30 – Dec 1 | 58d | |
| Ornamental Sweet Potato Vine | — | — | Feb 15 – Mar 15 | Apr 16 – Jun 13 | 75d | |
| Petunia | Nov 23 – Dec 7 | — | Feb 8 – Feb 22 | Apr 19 – May 23 | 80d | |
| 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 | |
| Zinnia | Jan 4 – Jan 18 | Feb 8 – Sep 17 | Feb 8 – Feb 22 | Apr 9 – Dec 1 | 68d |
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