What to plant this week in Asheville, NC
With average last frost dates around March 28, Asheville gardeners are well into their spring push, though cool nights can still linger in the mountain hollows. This week is prime time to direct sow warm-season staples like Yellow Summer Squash and Zucchini while checking on your early harvests of basil and bush beans.
The next 7 days
Asheville, NCGrowing in Asheville right now
- Asheville's steep terrain creates rapid drainage issues; amend heavy clay pockets with compost before planting squash or melons to prevent rot.
- High-elevation microclimates in the Blue Ridge foothills may delay germination by a week; cover new seedlings with row covers if temps dip near 45°F at night.
- The city's acidic mountain soil benefits from annual lime applications, but test pH before adding sulfur when preparing beds for edamame or sunflowers this season.
- Heavy summer thunderstorms are common in the Biltmore area; install drip irrigation now to reduce overhead watering that encourages fungal issues on basil and marigolds.
Sow this week
2 crops- Yellow Summer Squash
- 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 to ensure a continuous harvest through late August.
- Thin seedlings early on okra and watermelon plants to allow remaining specimens room to spread their vines.
- Apply a light layer of compost around established summer squash and zucchini to feed heavy fruiting plants.
Pest & disease watch
- Aphids often explode in populations on young zinnia and cosmos plants during fluctuating spring temperatures; spray with insecticidal soap early morning.
- Japanese beetles may begin scouting for tender leaves on fennel and sunflowers as air temps stabilize above 60°F daily.
- Root maggots can threaten newly sown bush beans and cowpeas in the moist, loamy soils of South Asheville neighborhoods.
Watering this week
Water deeply in the early morning to keep soil moist without wetting foliage, especially when fruit sets in.
Harvest zucchini and summer squash every two days to prevent them from becoming tough and bitter.
Asheville gardening questions
3Can I transplant my basil seedlings now that frost danger has passed?
Yes, hardy varieties like Garden Verbena and established basil are ready to harvest soon, but avoid moving delicate starts until soil warms consistently above 60°F.
My watermelon vines look sluggish; is it too early to expect fruit this season?
In zone 7b Asheville, watermelons need consistent warmth after late March; if growth is slow, check that night temps haven't stalled root development in the cool mountain air.
What should I do about my garlic bulbs that were planted last fall?
Garlic typically requires several weeks of cold stratification before bolting; wait to harvest until leaves yellow and dry naturally in late November rather than pulling them early this week.
Other cities in zone 7b
12See the full zone 7b guide → · Plan your Asheville garden in SproutGuide →