What to plant this week in Raleigh, NC
With average last frost now in the past on March 13, Raleigh gardeners are officially in full swing for warm-season planting this week. The mild 8a climate allows you to sow heat-loving crops like Okra and Malabar Spinach directly into beds that have warmed up from recent rains.
The next 7 days
Raleigh, NCGrowing in Raleigh right now
- Raleigh's clay-heavy soil warms slowly in early spring, so incorporate plenty of compost before sowing bush beans or squash to improve drainage and root penetration.
- Expect afternoon thunderstorms typical of the Piedmont region; use row covers over seedlings like French Marigolds if a sudden cold front moves through after the March 13 average frost date passes.
- Take advantage of the current dry spell to water deeply once or twice a week rather than daily sprinkling, which encourages shallow roots in our native loam.
- Scarlet Runner Beans and Pole Beans are ready now but will struggle without support stakes installed immediately due to the region's high winds.
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 early-season aphids on newly emerging Bush Bean leaves as temperatures stabilize above 70°F during the day.
- Spider mites can appear quickly in the shade of dense vegetation like Vinca or Malabar Spinach when humidity drops mid-week.
- Slugs and snails thrive in Raleigh's mild winters, making them a constant threat to young Cleome and Nasturtium seedlings after evening dew forms.
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.
Raleigh gardening questions
3Can I transplant any vegetables right now in the Raleigh area?
No hardy transplants are listed for this week; instead, start seeds directly in the ground for crops like Cucumber, Zucchini, and Okra to avoid shock from our unpredictable microclimates.
Which of my current harvests are peaking this week?
You can expect peak yields soon from Garlic stored indoors, Sweet Corn on the cob, and a second flush of Bush Beans if you planted them after the last frost.
Is it safe to plant Watermelon seeds now before April arrives?
Yes, since our average first frost isn't until November 28 and soil temperatures are already sufficient, sow Watermelon directly into sunny spots where they won't be disturbed by late frosts.
Other cities in zone 8a
11See the full zone 8a guide → · Plan your Raleigh garden in SproutGuide →