What to plant this week in Huntsville, AL
Huntsville gardeners in Zone 8a are riding the warm tail end of spring with an average last frost around March 13, but keep your eyes peeled for lingering chill snaps near the minimum of 10°F. This week is prime time to harvest early crops like basil and cantaloupe while sowing heat-loving giants such as okra, zucchini, and yellow summer squash directly into the soil.
The next 7 days
Huntsville, ALGrowing in Huntsville right now
- Huntsville's flat terrain around the Shoals often leads to water pooling after rain; ensure beds have gentle slopes or raised beds for these newly sown cucurbits to prevent rotting.
- Local clay-heavy subsoil can stay cold longer than topsoil; apply a thick layer of compost before direct-sowing beans and squash this week to warm the ground quickly.
- With rainfall often concentrated in short, heavy bursts typical of northern Alabama, check for standing water in low spots where French marigolds and nasturtiums might be planted.
- Avoid transplanting any seedlings right now since the list shows nothing is ready for moving; focus entirely on direct seeding to avoid shock from fluctuating temperatures.
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
- Spider mites are beginning to appear on emerging bean leaves as humidity drops slightly in late spring, requiring regular hose-downs or neem oil sprays.
- Early aphid colonies may form on the new growth of sunflowers and zinnias, especially if planted near sheltered edges where wind doesn't reach.
- Slugs can still be active in Huntsville's humid pockets after rain, targeting young squash and cucumber seedlings before they harden off.
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.
Huntsville gardening questions
3When is the best time to plant my first okra or zucchini this week?
You can sow these directly into the ground immediately since the soil has warmed enough above the 10°F danger zone; just remember that transplanting them later will shock the plants.
My basil and cantaloupe are ready to harvest soon—what's the trick for getting the best yield?
Snip the outer leaves of your basil without cutting into the center stem, and pull watermelon or cantaloupe only when the ground spot turns fully yellow and sounds hollow when tapped.
I live in a low-lying area of Huntsville; how do I protect my newly sown cucurbits from rain damage?
Create small mounds for your seeds rather than planting them flat, and consider using row covers temporarily if heavy storms are forecast to prevent waterlogging.
Other cities in zone 8a
11See the full zone 8a guide → · Plan your Huntsville garden in SproutGuide →