What to plant this week in Durham, NC
With average lows dipping to 10°F and frost still lingering until mid-March, Durham gardeners must hold off on cold-tender transplants despite the urge to plant as the soil warms. This week marks a critical transition where early sowings like bush beans and okra can finally take root outdoors, while late-winter harvests of garlic and early corn are ripening in our humid piedmont soils.
The next 7 days
Durham, NCGrowing in Durham right now
- Wait until after March 13 for all frost-sensitive transplants; Durham's unpredictable spring microclimates near the river can bring unexpected chills even after the average date passes. Use row covers to protect your newly sown bush beans and cucumbers from our typical late-spring wind chill events.
- Our local clay-loam soils retain moisture well but drain slowly, so avoid overwatering these heavy spring sowings of squash and zinnia until rains arrive or irrigation is needed.
- Take advantage of this week's window to plant warm-season crops like Malabar spinach and Thai basil directly into the ground once soil temperatures consistently hit 60°F.
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
- Monitor for early season aphid colonies forming on new growth of your cucumber and zucchini plants as humidity rises in March. Apply a strong water spray or insecticidal soap immediately upon spotting clusters on leaf undersides.
- Watch for cutworms damaging the base of young okra and bean seedlings; place collars around stems or hand-pick them during evening inspections before they sever vulnerable 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.
Durham gardening questions
3Can I transplant my tomato starts now that the soil feels warmer?
No, wait until after March 13 when the last frost risk has passed for Durham's zone 8a climate. Transplanting tomatoes or other heat-lovers before then invites frost damage and stunted growth from cold shock.
What should I do with my garlic crop that is listed as harvesting soon?
Begin checking your garlic bulbs by gently digging up a test plant to see if the papery skin forms and roots fill the bulb cavity. Once the lower leaves have yellowed and fallen, lift the entire bed carefully and cure them in a dry, airy spot out of direct sun for two weeks before storing.
Are there any native pollinator plants I can sow this week that fit Durham's conditions?
Yes, sow Yellow Summer Squash or Zinnia alongside your vegetables to attract bees and butterflies essential for crop yield. These annuals thrive in our local heat after the frost danger passes and provide vibrant color in community gardens across the city.
Other cities in zone 8a
11See the full zone 8a guide → · Plan your Durham garden in SproutGuide →