What to plant this week in Montgomery, AL
Montgomery gardeners are deep in the heart of Zone 8b summer, where the last frost date of March 1st is ancient history and temperatures rarely dip below 15°F. This week marks a critical transition: while early spring cool-season crops like Garlic are nearing harvest, the heat demands you focus on maturing warm-weather favorites like Okra, Bush Beans, and Zucchini.
The next 7 days
Montgomery, ALGrowing in Montgomery right now
- Montgomery's heavy clay soils tend to bake hard during our long, dry spells; mix in compost before planting this week's Cucumbers and Squash to improve drainage and moisture retention.
- The intense afternoon sun common here can scorch tender transplants, so shade your newly sown Malabar Spinach and Nasturtiums with lace fabric until they establish deep roots.
- Our region suffers from frequent summer downpours that cause root rot in shallow-rooted crops; ensure your raised beds for French Marigolds and Summer Savory have excellent drainage to prevent fungal issues.
Sow this week
13 crops- Basil
- Borage
- Bush Bean
- Cucumber
- French Marigold
- Malabar Spinach
- Nasturtium
- Okra
- Pole Bean
- Scarlet Runner Bean
- Summer Savory
- 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 pole beans every two weeks for a continuous harvest throughout summer.
- Mulch around newly planted squash and zucchini to retain moisture as days get warmer.
- Thin out crowded seedlings of sunflowers and sweet corn to ensure proper air circulation.
Pest & disease watch
- Watch for early-season caterpillars on your Sweet Corn and Pole Beans, as Montgomery's humidity creates ideal conditions for rapid infestation.
- Spider mites are becoming active as temperatures climb; inspect the undersides of your Zinnias and Sunflowers daily for webbing before they spread to neighbors' plants.
- Be vigilant for aphids clustering on the new growth of Basil and Thai Basil, which can quickly weaken these heat-loving herbs if not sprayed with insecticidal soap.
Watering this week
Water deeply in the morning to encourage strong root growth while keeping foliage dry to prevent disease.
Snip off spent flowers from your yellow summer squash plants every few days to keep them producing more fruit.
Montgomery gardening questions
3Should I harvest my Garlic now that it's past the average first frost date?
Yes, Montgomery's warm temperatures signal the end for your garlic crop; lift the bulbs carefully when about half the tops have turned brown and cure them indoors in a shaded, airy spot before storing.
How can I extend the season for my Bush Beans and Okra beyond this week?
To keep producing through our humid summers, succession plant beans every two weeks and pinch off the oldest flowers on your okra plants to encourage continuous blooming and pod production.
My Zucchini leaves are yellowing; is it a nutrient issue or overwatering due to recent rains?
Given Montgomery's clay-heavy soil, check for waterlogged roots first as excess moisture often causes yellowing before nitrogen deficiency does; reduce watering slightly until the top inch of soil feels dry.
Other cities in zone 8b
12See the full zone 8b guide → · Plan your Montgomery garden in SproutGuide →