What to plant this week in Atlanta, GA
Atlanta gardeners in zone 8a are transitioning from the chill of late winter into a vibrant spring surge, with average frost dates now safely behind us on March 13. While your soil is still warming up after recent rains, this week offers a critical window to harvest early summer crops like bush beans and cucumbers before the heat spikes.
The next 7 days
Atlanta, GAGrowing in Atlanta right now
- Atlanta's clay-heavy soils retain moisture well but require good drainage for root vegetables; consider adding compost or mulch around squash beds to prevent rot during our frequent afternoon thunderstorms. With last frost averaged at March 13, you can confidently transplant warm-season seedlings like basil and okra now that the air has warmed above the danger zone.
- Take advantage of the mild transition by sowing hardy alliums and garlic immediately, as these thrive in our specific zone 8a conditions where minimum temperatures hover around 10°F during colder snaps. Keep an eye on water levels; while we get regular rainfall, the clay can become hydrophobic if it dries out completely between storms.
- Plan to harvest acorn squash and butternut varieties soon as they mature rapidly in our humidity, ensuring you pull them when the rinds harden to avoid rotting in the damp soil.
Sow this week
2 crops- Garlic
- Ornamental Allium
Transplant this week
Nothing is due to go out this week.
Harvest soon
44 crops- Acorn Squash
- Basil
- Borage
- Bush Bean
- Butternut Squash
- Cantaloupe
- Celosia (Cockscomb)
- Cleome (Spider Flower)
- Cosmos
- Cowpea (Black-Eyed Pea)
- Cucumber
- Delicata Squash
- Edamame
- Fennel
- Flour Corn
- French Marigold
- Garden Verbena
- Garlic
- Gomphrena (Globe Amaranth)
- Gourd (Ornamental/Bottle)
- Honeydew Melon
- Lima Bean
- Loofah (Luffa)
- Malabar Spinach
- Morning Glory
- Nasturtium
- Okra
- Pole Bean
- Pumpkin
- Purslane
- Roselle (Cranberry Hibiscus)
- Scarlet Runner Bean
- Shiso (Japanese Basil)
- Spaghetti Squash
- Summer Savory
- Sunflower
- Sweet Corn
- Thai Basil
- Vinca (Madagascar Periwinkle)
- Watermelon
- Winter Squash
- Yellow Summer Squash
- Zinnia
- Zucchini
Seasonal tips
- Harvest acorn, butternut, and spaghetti squash while they are still tender before the skins toughen up.
- Succession sow bush beans, cowpeas, and pole beans now to extend your bean harvest into late summer.
- Pinch back basil and borage regularly to encourage lush growth and prevent bolting as heat increases.
Pest & disease watch
- Monitor for early-season spider mites on newly emerging leaves of beans and corn, which can multiply quickly during Atlanta's humid spring nights. Watch closely for squash vine borers attacking pumpkin and zucchini vines as temperatures climb above 70°F.
- Check for aphid colonies on the undersides of basil and cosmos flowers, which often hitchhike in on early breezes before our major storm systems arrive.
Watering this week
Water deeply at the base of squash and melons every 2-3 days to keep fruits from cracking and foliage from rotting.
Don't forget to harvest garlic that is listed for both sowing now and harvesting soon, as it may be a late spring crop or early fall storage bulb depending on your specific microclimate.
Atlanta gardening questions
3When exactly can I plant my tomato and pepper seedlings outside in Atlanta?
Since your average last frost date is March 13, you should wait until the soil feels warm to the touch after a few days of rain before transplanting. Although it is technically safe now, giving them another week ensures they establish strong roots without shock.
How do I handle my zucchini and squash plants in our clay soil?
Hill your squash plants heavily with composted organic matter to create raised beds that improve drainage for their sensitive root systems. This prevents the rot common when heavy Atlanta rains soak into compacted clay around the stems.
I'm seeing holes in my bean leaves; what pest should I watch for now?
Look closely at your pole and bush beans, as flea beetles are active right now feeding on new growth before the canopy closes. Hand-pick them off or use a strong jet of water to dislodge them from the undersides of the leaves.
Other cities in zone 8a
11See the full zone 8a guide → · Plan your Atlanta garden in SproutGuide →