What to plant this week in Atlanta, GA
Atlanta gardeners in USDA Zone 8a are currently navigating the tail end of spring frosts, with an average last frost date around March 13 leaving a window for cautious cold-weather sowing. This week marks the peak harvest period for your overwintered garlic and early maturing crops like bush beans and cucumbers before the intense summer heat arrives. With temperatures dipping near 10°F at night, focus on protecting tender seedlings while maximizing yields from established warm-season plants.
The next 7 days
Atlanta, GAGrowing in Atlanta right now
- Utilize Atlanta's hilly terrain to create raised beds that drain well during our frequent spring rainstorms, preventing root rot in newly sown Malabar Spinach or Okra.
- The city's heavy clay soil requires generous incorporation of organic matter like compost before transplanting Zinnias or Yellow Summer Squash to ensure proper aeration.
- As we approach the last frost date, continue monitoring for late freezes; use row covers on French Marigolds and Bush Beans if a sudden dip below 40°F is forecasted.
- Take advantage of our humid subtropical climate by harvesting Watermelon and Cantaloupe now while they are still developing optimal sugar content before peak humidity sets in.
Sow this week
17 crops- Basil
- Borage
- Bush Bean
- Cleome (Spider Flower)
- Cucumber
- French Marigold
- Malabar Spinach
- Nasturtium
- Okra
- Pole Bean
- Scarlet Runner Bean
- Summer Savory
- Thai Basil
- Vinca (Madagascar Periwinkle)
- Yellow Summer Squash
- Zinnia
- Zucchini
Transplant this week
Nothing is due to go out this week.
Harvest soon
36 crops- Basil
- Borage
- Bush Bean
- Cantaloupe
- Cleome (Spider Flower)
- Cosmos
- Cowpea (Black-Eyed Pea)
- Cucumber
- Edamame
- Fennel
- Flour Corn
- French Marigold
- Garden Verbena
- Garlic
- 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 every two weeks for a continuous harvest through summer.
- Apply a light layer of mulch around squash to retain soil moisture and suppress weeds.
- Pinch back the tips of basil plants regularly to encourage bushier growth and prevent flowering.
Pest & disease watch
- Watch for aphids colonizing the new growth of Pole Beans and Scarlet Runner Beans, especially during Atlanta's fluctuating spring temperatures.
- Monitor squash plants like Zucchini and Yellow Summer Squash for early vine borers and powdery mildew as humidity rises.
- Check French Marigolds and Garden Verbena for spider mites, which can multiply quickly in the city's microclimates around mid-March.
Watering this week
Water deeply at the base of plants in the early morning to reduce evaporation and fungal risks.
Harvest leafy greens like malabar spinach and nasturtiums young and tender for the best flavor.
Atlanta gardening questions
3Can I still sow cold-weather crops like Basil or Nasturtium despite recent warm spells?
Yes, you can sow these now since they tolerate light frosts and Atlanta's last average frost date is March 13. However, protect them with a floating row cover if another freeze near the 10°F minimum is predicted.
What should I do about my Garlic harvest that looks ready soon?
Your garlic bulbs are ready for harvest this week; wait until the lower leaves begin to turn brown but leave a few green tips attached. Gently lift the bulbs, cure them in a shaded, airy location for two weeks, and then braid or store them in mesh bags.
When is the best time to plant Okra and Bush Beans given our current weather?
While you can harvest early Bush Beans now, it is too risky to transplant them outdoors yet; wait until after the last frost date of March 13 for new plantings. You can still sow Okra seeds directly if nighttime temperatures stay consistently above 50°F, but protect young plants from any residual chill.
Other cities in zone 8a
11See the full zone 8a guide → · Plan your Atlanta garden in SproutGuide →