What to plant this week in Durham, NC
With average last frosts now past in Durham, your garden is officially in full swing as the heat ramps up for this 8a zone summer. While soil temperatures are perfect for sowing warm-season seeds like okra and cucumbers today, be ready to harvest your early beans and melons within days.
The next 7 days
Durham, NCGrowing in Durham right now
- Durham's clay-heavy Piedmont soils dry out quickly in our hot afternoons; water deeply in the early morning rather than letting plants wilt under the midday sun.
- Our low-lying river valley terrain makes drainage critical for squash and corn; amend heavy spots with compost to prevent root rot during these humid spells.
- Since transplanting is too risky right now, focus your efforts on direct sowing warm crops like bush beans and sweet corn that thrive in our current 80-degree heat.
- Keep an eye on local rain forecasts, as sudden summer downpours common here can wash away light soil amendments if not anchored quickly.
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 exploding in Durham's high humidity, especially on the undersides of zinnias and sunflowers; spray with insecticidal soap immediately upon spotting webbing.
- Cucumber beetles are actively hunting young vines; apply row covers now or use organic neem oil to protect your cantaloupe and watermelon crops before they flower.
- Late-season powdery mildew can strike fennel and nasturtiums in our humid microclimates; improve airflow around plants and dust leaves with baking soda mixtures.
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.
Durham gardening questions
3Can I finally plant my summer squash seeds now, or do I need to wait for more heat?
Absolutely go ahead; Durham's soil has warmed enough this week that bush beans, cucumbers, and yellow summer squash will germinate quickly without cold shock. Just ensure you water immediately after sowing since the clay dries fast.
My okra plants are struggling with tiny holes in the leaves—what is eating them?
Those holes are almost certainly from cucumber beetles, which are currently at peak activity across Wake County gardens. Hand-pick any you see on the stems or spray the base of the plant with a strong stream of water to dislodge them.
I have some basil and zinnias I started indoors last month; should I put them outside today?
Hold off on transplanting those seedlings for another week, as Durham nights are still too cool for tender starts like basil to harden off safely. Instead, use this time to direct sow your next round of pole beans and sweet corn right in the garden.
Other cities in zone 8a
11See the full zone 8a guide → · Plan your Durham garden in SproutGuide →