Houston’s climate is one of the most unique in the country — long hot summers, mild winters, high humidity, and soil that ranges from heavy clay to sandy loam. That’s both a challenge and an incredible opportunity for edible landscaping. With the right Houston planting calendar, you can grow food in your backyard almost every single month of the year.
At EcoTerra Edible Landscapes, we help Houston homeowners design gardens that produce year-round. This Houston planting calendar breaks down exactly what to plant each month so you’re never guessing when to get started.
Understanding Houston’s Growing Seasons
Unlike most of the country, Houston has two prime growing seasons:
- Spring (February–May): Warm-season crops like tomatoes, peppers, squash, and beans
- Fall (August–November): A second spring season — often more productive than the first
- Winter (December–January): Cool-season crops like leafy greens, root vegetables, and herbs
- Summer (June–August): A ‘survival season’ — focus on heat-tolerant varieties and soil building
Houston sits in USDA Hardiness Zone 9a/9b, meaning frosts are rare and short-lived. This gives us a major advantage for edible gardening.
Houston Planting Calendar: Month by Month
January
January is cool and occasionally frosty, but your garden doesn’t have to be empty.
- Plant: Leafy greens (kale, spinach, lettuce, chard), carrots, beets, broccoli, cauliflower, onions, garlic
- Start indoors: Tomatoes and peppers (for spring transplanting in March)
- Garden tasks: Amend soil with compost, plan your spring layout, add mulch to protect roots from cold snaps
February
February is transition month — temperatures start climbing and spring excitement begins.
- Plant outdoors: Continue cool-season crops; add snap peas, Swiss chard, and herbs like cilantro and parsley
- Start indoors: Squash, cucumbers, and melons for April transplanting
- Garden tasks: Build or repair raised beds before the spring rush — this is prime time for a new custom raised bed installation
March
Spring arrives in Houston in March. This is one of the most exciting planting months of the year.
- Plant outdoors: Tomatoes, peppers, eggplant (after last frost, typically mid-March), beans, squash, cucumbers
- Direct sow: Basil, dill, okra, sunflowers, sweet potatoes
- Garden tasks: Fertilize with organic compost, set up drip irrigation before the heat arrives
April
April is full spring mode — warm days, manageable temperatures, and fast plant growth.
- Plant: All warm-season crops are fair game — add melons, luffa, yard-long beans
- Herbs: Basil, lemongrass, rosemary, thyme all thrive now
- Garden tasks: Stake tomatoes, begin weekly organic fertilizing, watch for early pest pressure
May
May is the last comfortable spring month before the real Houston heat arrives.
- Plant: Last call for warm-season transplants. Focus on heat-tolerant varieties
- Direct sow: Okra, sweet potatoes, heat-tolerant herbs
- Garden tasks: Apply thick mulch (3–4 inches) to protect soil moisture heading into summer
June
June brings the first real heat. Many spring crops will slow or bolt. Shift your strategy.
- Survivors: Okra, sweet potatoes, lemongrass, peppers, and heat-tolerant herbs like basil
- Avoid: Starting new tomatoes or leafy greens — they won’t perform well in this heat
- Garden tasks: Water deeply but less frequently, focus on soil health with compost teas, plan your fall garden
July
July is Houston’s toughest month. Temperatures regularly exceed 95°F. Survival mode for your garden.
- Plant: Nothing new for most edibles — focus on okra, sweet potatoes, and heat lovers
- Garden tasks: Deep watering, keep mulch fresh, start seeds indoors for fall garden (tomatoes, peppers)
- Pro tip: This is a great time to start a compost pile to prepare rich soil for fall
August
August is the gateway to Houston’s incredible fall growing season. Start getting excited.
- Start indoors: Fall tomatoes, peppers, eggplant (transplant in September)
- Direct sow late August: Squash, beans, cucumbers for fall harvest
- Garden tasks: Clear spent summer crops, amend soil, prep beds for fall planting
September
September is arguably Houston’s best gardening month. Temperatures drop, plants thrive.
- Transplant: Fall tomatoes (look for heat-tolerant varieties like Celebrity or Sweet 100), peppers, eggplant
- Direct sow: Beans, squash, cucumbers, okra (for a last flush), herbs
- Start: Leafy greens from seed — kale, spinach, lettuce, arugula
October
October is peak fall gardening in Houston — long warm days and cool nights mean explosive growth.
- Plant: Broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, Brussels sprouts transplants
- Direct sow: All root vegetables — carrots, beets, radishes, turnips
- Herbs: Cilantro and parsley thrive in October’s cooler temperatures
November
November brings the first cool fronts. Perfect for cool-season crops.
- Plant: Leafy greens, root vegetables, garlic (for spring harvest), onion sets
- Continue: Broccoli, cauliflower, and cabbage families keep producing
- Garden tasks: Plant garlic now for a May/June harvest — one of the most rewarding things you can grow in Houston
December
December is quiet but not empty. Hardy cool-season crops keep your garden productive through the holidays.
- Harvest: Kale, chard, spinach, and root vegetables are at their best after a light frost
- Plant: Hardy greens and herbs can still go in early December
- Garden tasks: Review the year, plan for spring, order seeds, and consider adding new raised beds before the February rush
Tips for Gardening Success in Houston’s Climate
- Build raised beds: Houston’s clay soil drains poorly. Raised beds give you full control over your soil — critical for productive edible gardens.
- Mulch heavily: 3–4 inches of organic mulch conserves moisture and regulates soil temperature in our extreme summers.
- Water deeply and infrequently: Encourages deep root growth. Drip irrigation is ideal for Houston gardens.
- Amend with compost: Houston clay needs organic matter. Add compost every season for best results.
- Choose the right varieties: Always select heat-tolerant, humidity-resistant varieties suited to Zone 9.
Ready to Grow Year-Round in Houston?
A Houston planting calendar is just the starting point. The real key to a productive edible garden is the right foundation — healthy soil, well-designed raised beds, and plants chosen for our unique climate.
At EcoTerra Edible Landscapes, we design and build custom raised beds, edible gardens, and food forests for Houston homeowners. Whether you’re starting from scratch or looking to level up your existing garden, we’re here to help.
→ Explore our Custom Raised Beds service → Learn about our Edible Garden designs → Book a Coaching & Consulting session
