What to plant this week in Birmingham, AL
With Birmingham's last frost typically around March 13, you are well into the heart of spring growing season for Zone 8a. This week marks a critical transition where cool-season crops like garlic and Malabar spinach should be harvested soon while warm-weather favorites like okra, yellow summer squash, and pole beans are ready to be sown directly in your beds.
The next 7 days
Birmingham, ALGrowing in Birmingham right now
- Birmingham's clay-heavy soil drains slowly; incorporate generous amounts of compost or coarse sand now to improve aeration before planting heavy feeders like cucumbers and melons.
- While frost dates suggest safety for warm crops, keep an eye on overnight lows which can still dip near 40°F early in the week; use row covers briefly if unexpected chill threatens young squash seedlings.
- The region's humid spring air encourages rapid weed growth alongside your beans and corn; hand-weed now before the summer heat drives weeds deep into the soil structure.
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 clustering on new growth of basil, nasturtium, and zinnia as temperatures warm up in this week's forecast.
- Early-season slugs and snails can devastate young bush beans and malabar spinach; set out traps or use copper tape barriers immediately upon planting.
- Spider mites may begin showing signs on the undersides of sunflower and marigold leaves if recent rains have slowed plant growth.
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.
Birmingham gardening questions
3When is the best time to harvest my garlic this week?
Your garlic is ready to pull soon, indicated by two-thirds of the outer wrappers turning papery and the tops starting to fall over. Dig them up in the morning after a light rain so they dry properly before curing.
Can I plant okra directly into the ground now without starting seeds indoors?
Yes, absolutely; Birmingham's soil is warm enough this week that okra seedlings struggle if started inside and transplanted. Sow them 1 inch deep after the last frost date to ensure strong establishment.
How can I help my pole beans produce more pods this week?
Pole beans respond well to consistent moisture, so water deeply at the base rather than wetting the leaves which invites fungal issues. Pinch off any yellowing lower leaves to direct energy toward new pod production.
Other cities in zone 8a
11See the full zone 8a guide → · Plan your Birmingham garden in SproutGuide →