What to plant this week in Norfolk, VA
With average last frost dates around March 1, Norfolk's late-winter chill is officially fading as you rush to plant your summer crops. This week marks the critical sprint for heat-loving giants like okra and cucumbers in our humid coastal plain, where soil warms up quickly but stays moist. Get those seeds in the ground now before the afternoon thunderstorms arrive.
The next 7 days
Norfolk, VAGrowing in Norfolk right now
- Our sandy, acidic coastal soils drain fast but lose nutrients quickly; side-dress transplants with compost tea as soon as they emerge to prevent yellowing leaves.
- The hot summer heat and humidity typical of our peninsula mean you must water deeply at dawn or dusk to avoid scorching new foliage while keeping roots hydrated.
- When planting beans and squash, space rows generously because our tall corn varieties will compete for light if planted too densely in this flat terrain.
- Expect a sudden drop in temperatures overnight from incoming cold fronts; cover tender seedlings with row covers until the morning sun fully warms the air.
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
- Spider mites are becoming active on the undersides of summer squash leaves as humidity fluctuates between our humid summers and dry spells.
- Aphid colonies often explode on new bean growth this time of year, so inspect plants daily for sticky honeydew residue before they spread.
- Late-season fungal leaf spots can appear on cucurbits if overhead watering is used during the frequent afternoon rain events typical in Norfolk.
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.
Norfolk gardening questions
3Can I start my tomatoes and peppers indoors now since we are past the frost date?
No, wait until mid-May when nighttime temperatures consistently stay above 50°F to avoid shock. Start tender crops like basil or lettuce directly in your garden beds this week instead.
Which beans grow best in our short season here compared to pole varieties?
Bush beans are perfect for Norfolk's shorter growing window as they mature faster than pole types. They produce a heavy yield all at once around July 4th, making them ideal for family harvests.
How do I protect my okra from the intense afternoon sun that bakes our city?
Plant your okra in rows spaced about three feet apart to allow air circulation and reduce heat stress. Mulch heavily with straw around the base to keep soil cool and retain moisture during these hot stretches.
Other cities in zone 8b
12See the full zone 8b guide → · Plan your Norfolk garden in SproutGuide →