What to plant this week in Memphis, TN
Memphis gardeners are in the thick of late spring heat, with average last frost just around the corner on March 13. This week marks a critical push to sow warm-season giants like okra and yellow summer squash while harvesting early basil before any lingering chill sets in.
The next 7 days
Memphis, TNGrowing in Memphis right now
- The Memphis basin's heavy clay soil packs down easily during this dry spell; be sure to till or hand-dig at least two inches deep before planting bush beans to ensure good aeration.
- With frost dates often extending into mid-March, wait until the ground is truly warm and rain has softened the crust before transplanting sensitive crops like French marigolds.
- Utilize the city's abundant rainfall pattern from afternoon thunderstorms by mulching squash beds heavily to retain moisture as temperatures climb above 80°F.
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 exploding on okra and summer squash leaves due to the dry, hot Memphis air; spray with insecticidal soap early in the morning.
- Watch closely for cutworms attacking newly sown zucchini seeds at night when the humidity rises slightly after evening showers.
- Aphids often cluster on the undersides of basil and nasturtium stems as they heat up this week.
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.
Memphis gardening questions
3Is it safe to plant okra now in Memphis, or should I wait for the official frost date?
You can start seeds indoors immediately since okra is so tender, but sow directly outdoors only once soil temperatures consistently stay above 60°F. Don't worry about the March 13 frost date because okra seedlings are killed instantly by any freezing temperature.
My zucchini plants look stunted; should I harvest them soon?
Harvest your summer squash now while they are still small, as the heat accelerates their growth and large fruits become tough to eat. Snip the fruit when it is the size of a baseball to encourage continued production throughout this hot spell.
How do I protect my newly sown bush beans from the intense Memphis sun?
Provide temporary shade cloth for your bush bean seedlings during the hottest part of the day, or interplant them with French marigolds which thrive in these conditions. Water deeply in the early morning to keep roots cool before the afternoon heat sets in.
Other cities in zone 8a
11See the full zone 8a guide → · Plan your Memphis garden in SproutGuide →