What to plant this week in Atlanta, GA
With average last frost dates around March 13, Atlanta gardeners are seeing rapid soil warm-up as we approach the full start of spring. This week marks a critical window to sow warm-season heavyweights like okra and bush beans while harvesting early crops such as basil and French marigolds before the mid-March heat sets in.
The next 7 days
Atlanta, GAGrowing in Atlanta right now
- Atlanta's clay-heavy soils hold moisture well but struggle with drainage; incorporate generous amounts of compost into raised beds or plant mounds for squash to prevent root rot during sudden spring rains.
- The city's dense urban canopy creates microclimates where north-facing yards may still be cool enough for late sowings, while south-facing lots demand immediate protection from intense afternoon sun once temperatures exceed 75°F.
- Be mindful of the city's typical 'April Showers' pattern; cover newly sown beans and cucumbers with light row covers until seedlings establish to protect them from heavy clay runoff.
Sow this week
7 crops- Bush Bean
- Cucumber
- French Marigold
- Nasturtium
- Okra
- 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 and pole beans every two weeks for a continuous harvest throughout the growing season.
- Apply a layer of organic mulch around young squash and melons to keep soil cool and retain moisture as temperatures rise.
- Pinch back the tops of basil and borage regularly to encourage bushier growth before the heat sets in.
Pest & disease watch
- Watch for early-season aphids on emerging bean and squash foliage, common in Atlanta's humid spring air.
- Monitor slugs heavily on transplanted garlic and young nasturtiums, as the damp soil conditions around metro parks favor their activity.
- Check seedlings for spider mites which can explode in numbers once temperatures consistently rise above 70°F.
Watering this week
Water deeply at the base of plants in the morning to reduce evaporation and prevent fungal issues on leafy greens.
Plant garlic now if you missed the fall window, as it is listed for harvest soon, indicating late planting opportunities remain viable.
Atlanta gardening questions
3Can I still plant cold-hardy garlic or cool-weather crops now?
No new garlic should be started this week as the ground is too warm and soil temps have risen well above the ideal 50–60°F range for establishment. Focus instead on immediate harvests of overwintered garlic bulbs if they are ready, but do not attempt to plant them anew.
How long until my newly sown okra and bush beans appear?
In Atlanta's current soil temperatures, you can expect okra seedlings to emerge within 7–10 days after planting, while bush beans typically sprout in just 5–7 days under these warm conditions.
Is it safe to transplant my existing basil plants outside right now?
Yes, provided there is no forecast for freezing temperatures, your basil can go out as the nights stay above 40°F and average highs reach the low 60s. Ensure you harden them off for a few days first by gradually increasing their exposure to Atlanta's variable spring winds.
Other cities in zone 8a
11See the full zone 8a guide → · Plan your Atlanta garden in SproutGuide →