What to plant this week in Raleigh, NC
Raleigh gardeners are in the thick of summer harvest season, with a wide array of beans, melons, and squash ready to pull from your plots. With average lows hitting 10°F only briefly in late winter, your current focus is managing heat stress on crops like Okra and Malabar Spinach while enjoying the bounty of Zucchini and Watermelon.
The next 7 days
Raleigh, NCGrowing in Raleigh right now
- Raleigh's heavy clay soils tend to dry out fast during our hot, humid spells; deep water early morning and mulch heavily around Cucumber roots to prevent cracking.
- The Piedmont region often sees late spring frosts until mid-March, so keep Frost Watch alerts handy even though harvest season is well underway for most warm-season crops.
- Our local summer rains can be intense; ensure drainage for raised beds planting Zinnia and Sunflower to avoid root rot in our naturally low-lying terrain.
- Watch for the rapid growth of Malabar Spinach and Watermelon during July heat spikes, which often require staking or trellising before they get too unwieldy.
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 becoming active on French Marigold and Garden Verbena as temperatures climb above 85°F.
- Aphids frequently target the new growth of Pole Beans and Scarlet Runner Beans during our humid summer weeks.
- Squash Vine Borers are a major concern for Zucchini, Yellow Summer Squash, and Pumpkin plants right now; inspect stems weekly for entry holes.
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.
Raleigh gardening questions
3Can I still plant French Marigold or Nasturtium in Raleigh this week?
Yes, these heat-loving annuals thrive when sown directly into the ground now as Raleigh's soil remains warm. They make excellent companion plants to deter pests from your nearby beans and squash.
My Zucchini leaves are yellowing; is it time to harvest or a disease sign?
If the fruit is large, it is ready for immediate harvest, but if the plant shows signs of wilting during the day, check for Squash Vine Borers. Cut away any affected vines and apply insecticidal soap to the remaining leaves.
How long until I can eat the Okra and Watermelon growing in my Raleigh garden?
Okra pods are tenderest when harvested young, usually within 3-4 days of flowering, while Watermelons need the 'sugar spot' on the ground to indicate full ripeness. Both crops perform best with consistent watering during our dry spells.
Other cities in zone 8a
11See the full zone 8a guide → · Plan your Raleigh garden in SproutGuide →