Now
33°C · Overcast
Today
34° / 26°
Soil 6 cm
31°C
First frost
~96 days (Dec 13)
Gardening in Houston
AI field guide · refreshed weeklyHouston Gardening: Early Fall Planting Window Opens
Zone 9a means your first fall frost arrives around December 13—giving you 96 days to establish cool-season crops. Soil at 31°C (88°F) is still warm but dropping; seeds will germinate reliably now. You're 210 days past your last spring frost (Feb 10), so summer heat-lovers are winding down and fall crops can take hold.
Sow outdoors now
Broccoli & Cauliflower
Direct sow or transplant seedlings now for November–December harvest. Varieties like 'Green Magic' broccoli and 'Snowball' cauliflower thrive in Houston's cool season.
Lettuce & Leafy Greens
Sow loose-leaf varieties ('Buttercrunch', 'Oak Leaf') and spinach directly; they'll germinate in 7–10 days at current soil temps and produce through winter.
Carrots & Beets
Direct sow 'Nantes' carrots and 'Detroit Dark Red' beets; thin seedlings at 2–3 weeks. Both mature in 60–70 days, ready by mid-November.
Peas (English & Snow)
Sow 'Sugar Snap' or 'Oregon Sugar Pod' now; they'll climb trellises and produce February–March. Soil temp is still warm enough for good germination.
Radishes & Turnips
Quick crops: radishes ready in 25 days, turnips in 50. Sow 'Cherry Belle' radishes and 'Purple Top' turnips for succession harvests through November.
Start indoors now
Cabbage & Kale
Start seeds indoors now; transplant seedlings outdoors in 4–5 weeks. 'Lacinato' kale and 'Early Jersey Wakefield' cabbage are Houston staples.
Onions (from seed)
Start long-day varieties ('Walla Walla', 'Texas 1015') indoors; transplant in late October for spring bulbing. Houston's short days won't trigger bulbing if planted too late.
Herbs: Cilantro & Parsley
Start indoors to get a head start; transplant in 3–4 weeks. Both thrive in Houston's cool season and tolerate light frosts.
Harvest now
Summer Squash & Zucchini
Final harvests this week as plants slow in cooling temps. Pick daily to encourage last flushes before frost.
Okra
Still producing; pick pods at 7–10 cm (3–4 in) for tenderness. Expect production to drop sharply after mid-September.
Basil & Tender Herbs
Harvest heavily now before the first frost (Dec 13). Dry or freeze excess; plants will decline as temps drop.
Tasks this week
- Clear spent summer beds and amend with 5 cm (2 in) compost; Houston's clay benefits from organic matter before fall planting.
- Water newly sown seeds daily until germination; the 64 mm (2.5 in) rain forecast helps, but supplemental watering may be needed mid-week.
- Mulch fall crops with 5 cm (2 in) wood chips to retain moisture and moderate soil temp as it drops.
- Scout for spider mites and whiteflies on remaining summer crops; heat stress makes infestations worse in early September.
- Set up trellises for peas and beans now so plants have support as they establish.
Watch out for
- Tropical Storm Season: Heavy rain and wind are common through October. Stake tall crops and ensure drainage in low spots to prevent root rot.
- Fungal Diseases: High humidity (65%) and warm nights favor powdery mildew and leaf spot. Space plants well and water at soil level, not foliage.
- Grasshoppers & Armyworms: Still active in early fall; inspect transplants and young seedlings daily. Hand-pick or use row covers on vulnerable crops.
The gardening note for Houston, every week
One email, Sunday evening. Unsubscribe anytime.