What to plant this week in Durham, NC
Durham gardeners are now in full swing as the last frost of March 13th has passed, allowing you to aggressively sow warm-season staples like okra and yellow summer squash. With nights finally stabilizing around 10°F minimums, this is also your final window to harvest garlic before the winter dormancy sets in by late November.
The next 7 days
Durham, NCGrowing in Durham right now
- Durham's heavy clay-loam soil retains moisture well but requires frequent aeration; incorporate compost now to prevent waterlogging during our typical spring rain bursts.
- Our flat Piedmont terrain lacks natural drainage slopes, so raised beds are essential for cool-season crops and preventing root rot in low-lying areas.
- As humidity climbs rapidly after mid-March, ensure good airflow around your bush beans and zucchini to combat the stifling heat common in Durham summers.
- Watch for late frosts near the Pamlico River edge where temperatures can dip lower than the city average, potentially threatening early transplants if not hardened off.
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
- Aphid colonies are exploding on new growth of French marigolds and nasturtiums as temperatures warm above 70°F.
- Spider mites are beginning to emerge in shaded corners of gardens where humidity fluctuates between night lows and day highs.
- Root maggots are active in the damp soil, targeting recently sowed cucumber seeds before they even break surface.
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.
Durham gardening questions
3Can I transplant my tomato seedlings now or should I wait?
Wait another week or two; while the frost date is March 13th, Durham's fluctuating spring temps and high clay content make early transplanting risky for tomatoes until soil fully warms.
My okra and bush beans are coming up fast—are they safe from late freezes?
Yes, with a minimum of 10°F, these warm-season crops are hardy enough to survive occasional dips now, but cover them if a sudden drop below freezing is forecasted.
How do I prepare my garlic for the upcoming harvest period in November?
Stop watering garlic about three weeks before your expected November 28th frost date to encourage bulb maturation and prevent rotting during storage.
Other cities in zone 8a
11See the full zone 8a guide → · Plan your Durham garden in SproutGuide →