What to plant this week in Charlotte, NC
Charlotte's early spring warmth has officially arrived, with the last frost historically set for March 13 allowing you to move forward with cold-hardy crops. This week is critical for getting your warm-weather staples like bush beans and sunflowers into the ground before any lingering chill returns.
The next 7 days
Charlotte, NCGrowing in Charlotte right now
- Charter County soils are often heavy clay; incorporate generous amounts of compost or aged manure this week to improve drainage for newly sown okra and melons.
- While Charlotte sits in Zone 8a, keep an eye on late March temperature dips that can linger after the average last frost date, especially in low-lying areas near the Catawba River.
- High humidity typical of the Piedmont region encourages rapid mold growth; space out your zinnia and cosmos seedlings to ensure maximum airflow between plants.
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
41 crops- Basil
- Borage
- Bush Bean
- Cantaloupe
- Celery
- Cleome (Spider Flower)
- Cosmos
- Cowpea (Black-Eyed Pea)
- Cucumber
- Dahlia
- 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 a continuous harvest throughout the summer.
- Apply a light layer of mulch around warm-season vegetables to retain soil moisture and keep roots cool.
- Pinch back the tops of basil plants regularly to encourage bushier growth before harvesting leaves.
Pest & disease watch
- Spider mites are beginning to wake up on broadleaf weeds and young transplants as temperatures climb above 50°F.
- Early aphid colonies often establish quickly on the tender new growth of basil, shiso, and nasturtium planted this week.
Watering this week
Water deeply in the morning to keep moisture consistent but avoid wetting the foliage to prevent disease.
Harvest beans when pods are young and tender to maximize flavor and encourage further production from each plant.
Charlotte gardening questions
3Is it safe to plant bush beans now in Charlotte?
Yes, with the average last frost date around March 13, bush beans can be sown directly into the soil right now. Wait until all danger of a hard freeze has passed completely before planting any sensitive varieties.
How should I manage water for my new watermelon plants?
Charlotte's clay-heavy soil holds moisture well, so check daily to ensure you aren't overwatering and drowning the roots. Water deeply but less frequently once the vines start to run.
Which crops from this list will be ready for harvest soon?
You can expect to see a harvest of basil, bush beans, cucumbers, and cowpeas (black-eyed peas) within the next week or two. Keep an eye on your garlic as well, which is nearing maturity.
Other cities in zone 8a
11See the full zone 8a guide → · Plan your Charlotte garden in SproutGuide →