What to plant this week in Greenville, SC
Greenville gardeners are in the thick of early summer heat as average lows hover near 10°F minimums, signaling that your warm-season crops like okra and yellow summer squash need consistent warmth to thrive. With the last frost historically occurring around March 13th, the current season is all about maximizing production before the late November frost date arrives.
The next 7 days
Greenville, SCGrowing in Greenville right now
- Greenville's clay-heavy Piedmont soil retains moisture well but drains poorly; incorporate coarse sand or compost into planting holes for squash and melons to prevent rot during heavy rains.
- The city experiences distinct dry spells in mid-summer, so water newly planted French marigolds and nasturtiums deeply in the morning rather than relying on evening dew.
- Be mindful of late spring frosts that can occasionally linger after early April; cover tender transplants like edamame and Thai basil if a sudden dip toward 32°F is forecasted.
- Take advantage of this week's harvest window for garlic scapes before they flower, ensuring the bulbs develop properly later in the season.
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
- Watch for aphid colonies forming on the new growth of pole beans and sweet corn, which thrive in Greenville's humid summer air.
- Spider mites often target French marigolds and zinnias during hot, dry weeks when natural predators like ladybugs are less active.
- Slugs and snails actively feed on young basil and lettuce seedlings after night rains common near the Reedy River.
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.
Greenville gardening questions
3Can I still start seeds for bush beans now in Greenville?
Yes, you can sow bush bean seeds directly into the ground this week as long as the soil temperature is above 60°F. Ensure you water them immediately after planting to help them establish before the afternoon heat sets in.
When should I harvest my cantaloupe and honeydew melons?
Check your vines daily starting now; look for a deep rind color change and a distinct aroma at the stem end to know they are ready to pick. Cut them with a sharp knife, leaving about an inch of stem attached to prevent rotting.
How do I protect my okra from bolting too early in this heat?
Harvest young pods frequently every two days to encourage the plant to produce more rather than flowering out quickly. Keep the soil consistently moist with mulch to reduce stress, which is a common cause of premature blooming in local gardens.
Other cities in zone 8a
11See the full zone 8a guide → · Plan your Greenville garden in SproutGuide →