What to plant this week in Baltimore, MD
With average lows hitting 10°F and the last frost still lingering until mid-March, Baltimore gardeners must wait for soil warmth before planting cool-season crops. This week marks a critical pause in outdoor sowing; while you can harvest early greens like basil and beans, new seeds should stay indoors or be protected from the chill.
The next 7 days
Baltimore, MDGrowing in Baltimore right now
- Baltimore's clay-heavy loam retains moisture but drains poorly, so amend raised beds with compost to prevent root rot during this wet spell.
- The city's 'heat island' effect in urban pockets can trick plants into blooming too early; mulch heavily to retain true ground temperature for late transplants.
- Expect higher humidity and slower drying times here due to the Patapsco River valley microclimate, increasing disease pressure on leafy greens.
- Avoid disturbing soil deeply this week as residual moisture from recent rains makes compaction a risk in our low-lying neighborhoods.
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
- Slugs and snails are actively feeding on tender transplants and seedlings due to the damp, overcast conditions typical of mid-March Baltimore.
- Early-season aphid colonies may form on the undersides of young bean plants if temperatures remain above 50°F during sunny intervals.
- Botrytis blight can develop quickly in crowded plantings or greenhouses where airflow is restricted during this humid period.
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.
Baltimore gardening questions
3Can I plant my summer squash seeds now in Baltimore?
No, the soil temperature is not yet warm enough for Yellow Summer Squash or Zucchini to thrive before the March 13 frost risk passes. Wait until late April or start these indoors immediately if you want an early harvest.
Is it safe to transplant my basil outdoors this week?
While Basil is on your harvest list, do not yet move new transplants outside; the average last frost date of March 13 means a hard freeze could kill tender seedlings. Wait until all danger of frost has passed and nights are consistently above 50°F.
What should I be harvesting from my garden right now?
You can begin picking established crops like Bush Beans, Okra, Malabar Spinach, and early Zinnias that are already growing hardy in the zone 8a climate. Focus on cutting back spent blooms to encourage more flowers rather than adding new seeds.
Other cities in zone 8a
11See the full zone 8a guide → · Plan your Baltimore garden in SproutGuide →