What to plant this week in Charleston, SC
With Charleston's last frost averaging around February 6th, your garden is in full swing this week as the coastal spring heat kicks in. Now is the critical time to sow warm-season giants like watermelons and pumpkins while simultaneously harvesting your early okra and bush beans before the humidity peaks.
The next 7 days
Charleston, SCGrowing in Charleston right now
- Charleston's sandy, acidic soils drain quickly, so add compost to sandy spots immediately after planting melons and squash to retain moisture and nutrients.
- Expect heavy afternoon thunderstorms typical of the Lowcountry; use black plastic mulch for summer crops to keep roots cool during sudden downpours.
- Water newly transplanted perennials like Vinca early in the morning, as our intense midday sun and heat can scorch young foliage rapidly.
- Take advantage of the mild 9a climate to start Malabar Spinach indoors now; it thrives here but wilts if left too long without harvest.
Sow this week
34 crops- Basil
- Black-Eyed Susan
- Borage
- Bush Bean
- Cantaloupe
- Cleome (Spider Flower)
- Cosmos
- Cowpea (Black-Eyed Pea)
- Cucumber
- Edamame
- Fennel
- Flour Corn
- French Marigold
- Garden Verbena
- Gourd (Ornamental/Bottle)
- Honeydew Melon
- Lima Bean
- Malabar Spinach
- Nasturtium
- Okra
- Pole Bean
- Pumpkin
- 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
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 now for a continuous summer supply.
- Mulch around newly transplanted Warm-Season crops like Zucchini to retain moisture and suppress weeds.
- Pinch back the tips of young Sunflowers to encourage bushier growth before they start flowering.
- Prepare soil beds with compost if you plan to sow Pumpkin or Winter Squash soon.
Pest & disease watch
- Spider mites are exploding on leafy greens like Nasturtium and Shiso due to the combination of high heat and low humidity in shaded yards.
- Aphids are aggressively attacking young Sunflower and Zinnia stems, requiring immediate insecticidal soap sprays before they spread systemically.
- Root maggots are a major threat to freshly sown Bush Beans and Cowpeas; consider using floating row covers until seedlings reach 4 inches.
Watering this week
Water deeply in the early morning to minimize evaporation, especially as temperatures rise past 85°F.
Harvest Basil regularly by snipping leafy stems from the top to keep the plant producing new growth all summer long.
Charleston gardening questions
3Can I still plant watermelon in Charleston now, or is it too late?
It is not too late at all for our zone 9a climate, as the ground stays warm enough to germinate seeds even into June. Just ensure you give them a wide berth of about 2-3 feet between hills so they have room to sprawl in our sandy soil.
My okra plants are producing, but the pods look slim and stringy—what should I do?
Also, avoid over-watering once established, as excess moisture can delay maturity and make those strings worse.
Are there any native wildflowers I should add to my Charleston garden bed this week?
Pair it with Cleome (Spider Flower) for height, as both thrive without needing the extra shade of taller perennials.
Other cities in zone 9a
9See the full zone 9a guide → · Plan your Charleston garden in SproutGuide →