What to plant this week in Augusta, GA
Augusta's late March average frost date signals that the humid summer heat has fully arrived, making this your prime window to sow warm-season staples like cowpeas and okra. With temperatures reliably staying above 70°F now, you can focus entirely on maximizing yields for those harvests ripening soon.
The next 7 days
Augusta, GAGrowing in Augusta right now
- Augusta's heavy clay loam retains moisture well during our humid spells but dries out quickly in dry snaps; water deeply rather than frequently to encourage deep roots.
- The flat terrain of the city limits natural drainage, so ensure raised beds have excellent slope or install French drains if planting winter squash or pumpkins.
- Monitor for fungal issues like powdery mildew on cucumbers and zucchini, as our high humidity creates a perfect breeding ground in shaded rows.
- Take advantage of the long days to succession plant bush beans and scarlet runner beans every two weeks for continuous harvest through September.
Sow this week
30 crops- Basil
- Borage
- Bush Bean
- Cantaloupe
- Cleome (Spider Flower)
- Cosmos
- Cowpea (Black-Eyed Pea)
- Cucumber
- Edamame
- Fennel
- French Marigold
- Garden Verbena
- Honeydew Melon
- Lima Bean
- Malabar Spinach
- Nasturtium
- Okra
- Pole Bean
- Scarlet Runner Bean
- Shiso (Japanese Basil)
- Summer Savory
- Sunflower
- Sweet Corn
- Thai Basil
- Vinca (Madagascar Periwinkle)
- Watermelon
- Winter Squash
- Yellow Summer Squash
- Zinnia
- Zucchini
Transplant this week
Nothing is due to go out this week.
Harvest soon
39 crops- Basil
- Borage
- Bush Bean
- Cantaloupe
- Cleome (Spider Flower)
- Cosmos
- Cowpea (Black-Eyed Pea)
- Cucumber
- Edamame
- Fennel
- Flour Corn
- French Marigold
- Garden Verbena
- Garlic
- Ghost Pepper (Bhut Jolokia)
- Gourd (Ornamental/Bottle)
- Honeydew Melon
- Lima Bean
- Lisianthus (Prairie Gentian)
- Loofah (Luffa)
- Malabar Spinach
- Nasturtium
- Okra
- Pole Bean
- Pumpkin
- Roselle (Cranberry Hibiscus)
- Scarlet Runner Bean
- Shiso (Japanese Basil)
- Summer Savory
- Sunflower
- Sweet Corn
- Sweet Potato
- 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 continuous harvests.
- Mulch around young summer squash and watermelons to retain soil moisture as temperatures rise.
- Pinch back the tips of zinnias and cosmos to encourage bushier growth and more blooms.
Pest & disease watch
- Southern Corn Borer larvae are actively feeding on sweet corn stalks and can be spotted by ragged leaf edges or frass at the base.
- Aphids often explode in populations on Thai basil and shiso during these hot, humid conditions, requiring frequent scouting and early intervention.
- Spider mites may appear on sunflowers if a dry wind event breaks up the usual humidity, causing stippling damage that looks like tiny yellow dots.
Watering this week
Water deeply in the morning to keep roots hydrated and reduce evaporation during hot afternoons.
Harvest bush beans when pods are tender but before they begin to flower or turn woody.
Augusta gardening questions
3Can I still plant watermelon seeds in Augusta right now?
Yes, this is an ideal time to sow watermelon since soil temperatures are warm and consistent. However, be aware that late-planted melons might not fully mature if a significant early frost hits before December 1.
What should I do about the black bean aphids on my pole beans?
Since our humidity favors soft-bodied insects, spray affected plants with a strong jet of water or apply neem oil in the late afternoon when bees are less active. Encouraging ladybugs by planting nasturtiums nearby can also help keep populations down naturally.
Is it too hot to transplant garlic into Augusta now?
No, you cannot transplant garlic this week; while garlic is listed for harvest soon, it is a fall crop that needs to be planted in late summer or early autumn after the current heat wave subsides. Wait until mid-to-late August when temperatures begin dropping to plant your next garlic crop.
Other cities in zone 8b
12See the full zone 8b guide → · Plan your Augusta garden in SproutGuide →