What to plant this week in Savannah, GA
Savannah gardeners, mid-February marks your window for early starts; with the last frost typically passing by Feb 6, you can safely sow warm-season heat-lovers like cantaloupe and okra directly into the warming soil. The city's humid subtropical climate is already priming for rapid germination, but watch out for lingering cold snaps that could delay tender seedlings.
The next 7 days
Savannah, GAGrowing in Savannah right now
- Savannah's clay-heavy coastal plains retain moisture well in winter but become hardpans quickly; till deeply before sowing bush beans or squash to ensure good root penetration.
- Humidity spikes after the March equinox will favor fungal issues, so space zinnias and cosmos widely for airflow rather than planting dense borders now.
- The saltwater intrusion zone near Tybee Island may have slightly elevated soil salinity; leach sandy spots with fresh water before transplanting sweet corn or edamame.
Sow this week
26 crops- Basil
- Borage
- Bush Bean
- Cantaloupe
- Cleome (Spider Flower)
- Cosmos
- Cowpea (Black-Eyed Pea)
- Cucumber
- Edamame
- Fennel
- French Marigold
- Garden Verbena
- Lima Bean
- Malabar Spinach
- Nasturtium
- Okra
- Pole Bean
- Scarlet Runner Bean
- Shiso (Japanese Basil)
- Summer Savory
- Sweet Corn
- 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 and pole beans every two weeks to ensure a continuous harvest throughout the summer.
- Mulch newly planted crops with organic matter to retain soil moisture and keep roots cool during hot spells.
- Pinch back the tips of basil and oregano regularly to encourage bushier growth and prevent early flowering.
Pest & disease watch
- Spider mites often surge in early spring heatwaves, especially on French marigolds and garden verbena exposed to dry wind from the north.
- Cutworms are active during this thaw period, targeting emerging bush bean and pole bean seedlings; check stems daily at dawn for damage.
Watering this week
Water deeply in the early morning to encourage deep root growth while minimizing evaporation losses.
Harvested okra pods should be picked daily when young to prevent them from becoming tough and fibrous quickly.
Savannah gardening questions
3When should I stop covering my cold frames in Savannah?
Once night temperatures consistently stay above 50°F, usually around mid-March, you can remove row covers to let the full sun hit your squash and cucumber starts.
Is it safe to plant tomatoes now before the average Feb 6 frost date?
Tomatoes are not on this week's sowable list for zone 9a; wait until after the last expected frost in late February or transplant them indoors later if you want to start early.
How do I handle the clay soil when planting okra directly outside?
Mix in coarse compost and sand to break up the native Savannah clay before sowing okra seeds, as poor drainage can rot these heat-loving roots quickly.
Other cities in zone 9a
9See the full zone 9a guide → · Plan your Savannah garden in SproutGuide →