What to plant this week in Norfolk, VA
With the average last frost date of March 1 already passed, Norfolk's spring garden is now in full swing for zone 8b growers. This week marks a critical transition where cool-weather crops like Garlic are nearing harvest while heat-loving treasures such as Okra and Malabar Spinach thrive in our humid coastal summer.
The next 7 days
Norfolk, VAGrowing in Norfolk right now
- Utilize the city's sandy-loam soil texture by incorporating compost to improve moisture retention during our frequent afternoon downpours typical of the Hampton Roads region. Avoid heavy tilling right now to protect the delicate soil structure formed after last winter's rains, instead opting for surface cultivation around your transplants. Take advantage of the long daylight hours and warm nights to quickly start cold-tender crops like Cantaloupe and Watermelon directly in the ground, as transplanting these is rarely necessary.
- Monitor water levels closely; Norfolk's clay pockets can hold excess moisture while sandy areas near the coast dry out rapidly after a thunderstorm. Mulch heavily around your Harvest Soon items like Yellow Summer Squash and Zucchini to suppress weeds and keep roots cool against rising temperatures. If you notice standing water in low-lying areas of your yard, consider raising planting beds slightly to ensure proper drainage for root crops.
- Plan ahead for the intense Atlantic humidity that defines our summer climate, which can quickly wilt new growth on plants like Shiso and Fennel if not irrigated consistently. Install drip irrigation or soaker hoses immediately for your Sweet Corn and Pole Bean patches to deliver water directly to the roots rather than wetting the foliage where fungal issues love to hide. Remember that our coastal salt spray can sometimes affect young seedlings, so position sensitive crops like Basil away from direct ocean breezes if possible.
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
39 crops- Basil
- Borage
- Bush Bean
- Cantaloupe
- Cleome (Spider Flower)
- Cosmos
- Cowpea (Black-Eyed Pea)
- Cucumber
- 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 continuous harvests.
- Mulch around young summer squash and watermelons to retain soil moisture as temperatures rise.
- Pinch back the tips of zinnias and cosmos to encourage bushier growth and more blooms.
Pest & disease watch
- Watch closely for Squash Vine Borers on your Zucchini and Winter Squash; their larvae tunnel into stems causing plants to collapse suddenly in mid-summer. Early detection involves looking for oozing frass at the soil line near the base of affected vines, allowing you to remove and destroy infested sections before the damage spreads.
- Spider Mites often explode in populations during our humid summer months, targeting leafy greens like Malabar Spinach and herbs such as Thai Basil. Check the undersides of leaves regularly for tiny webbing or stippled yellowing spots, treating early with insecticidal soap or a strong blast of water to dislodge them.
- Cutworms frequently attack young seedlings of Cucumber and Sunflower at night, severing stems at ground level before morning light reveals the damage. Hand-pick any visible larvae in the evening after applying a layer of soil around the base of seedlings as a physical barrier.
Watering this week
Water deeply in the morning to keep roots hydrated and reduce evaporation during hot afternoons.
Harvest bush beans when pods are tender but before they begin to flower or turn woody.
Norfolk gardening questions
3Can I finally plant my Okra and Malabar Spinach directly in the ground this week?
Yes, with our average last frost date of March 1 now firmly behind us, these heat-loving crops are ready to go straight into the warm soil without transplanting. Ensure you water them deeply after planting to encourage strong root establishment before the afternoon humidity sets in.
My Garlic plants look lush but I'm not sure when to pull them for harvest.
Since Garlic appears on your 'Harvest Soon' list, check if about half of the leaves have turned brown; this is typically the perfect window to dig up bulbs before all foliage dies back completely. Gently lift a test bulb first to ensure it has formed well-sized cloves with tight skins.
How should I handle watering for my Sweet Corn and Pole Bean patch given our local rainfall patterns?
While Norfolk sees frequent rain, the soil can become compacted or waterlogged in clay pockets, so avoid overwatering saturated areas. Focus irrigation on sandy spots where moisture evaporates quickly, aiming for about an inch of water per week to keep roots happy without encouraging root rot.
Other cities in zone 8b
12See the full zone 8b guide → · Plan your Norfolk garden in SproutGuide →