What to plant this week in Richmond, VA
With average lows hovering near 5°F this week, Richmond gardeners should expect a brief chill that will momentarily slow growth but rarely cause lasting damage to established plants. While frost dates historically fall around March 28, the current weather pattern is pushing many warm-season crops like okra and bush beans into their peak harvest window before summer heat fully sets in.
The next 7 days
Richmond, VAGrowing in Richmond right now
- Richmond's clay-heavy soil retains moisture well during this cool spell, but ensure drainage for containers to prevent root rot as temperatures fluctuate daily.
- Take advantage of the current mild air to sow direct-seeded warm crops like cantaloupe and scarlet runner beans; they germinate quickly before the true summer heat arrives later in May.
- Monitor your late-planted garlic and parsnips closely, as Richmond's rapid spring warming can trigger premature bolting if moisture levels aren't consistent.
- Use this week to prune back any leggy zinnias and yellow summer squash vines that have survived the recent unseasonal cold snap.
Sow this week
27 crops- Basil
- Borage
- Bush Bean
- Cantaloupe
- Cleome (Spider Flower)
- Cosmos
- Cowpea (Black-Eyed Pea)
- Cucumber
- Edamame
- Fennel
- French Marigold
- Garden Verbena
- Lima Bean
- Malabar Spinach
- Nasturtium
- Okra
- Pole Bean
- Scarlet Runner Bean
- Shiso (Japanese Basil)
- Summer Savory
- Sweet Corn
- Thai Basil
- Vinca (Madagascar Periwinkle)
- Watermelon
- Yellow Summer Squash
- Zinnia
- Zucchini
Transplant this week
Nothing is due to go out this week.
Harvest soon
48 crops- Basil
- Borage
- Brussels Sprouts
- Bush Bean
- Cantaloupe
- Celery
- Cleome (Spider Flower)
- Cosmos
- Cowpea (Black-Eyed Pea)
- Cucumber
- Dahlia
- Edamame
- Fennel
- Flour Corn
- French Marigold
- Garden Verbena
- Garlic
- Ghost Pepper (Bhut Jolokia)
- Gourd (Ornamental/Bottle)
- Habanero Pepper
- Honeydew Melon
- Leek
- Lima Bean
- Lisianthus (Prairie Gentian)
- Loofah (Luffa)
- Malabar Spinach
- Nasturtium
- Okra
- Ornamental Sweet Potato Vine
- Parsnip
- Pole Bean
- Potato
- Pumpkin
- Roselle (Cranberry Hibiscus)
- Scarlet Runner Bean
- Shiso (Japanese Basil)
- Summer Savory
- Sunflower
- Sweet Corn
- Sweet Potato
- Thai Basil
- Tomatillo
- Vinca (Madagascar Periwinkle)
- Watermelon
- Winter Squash
- Yellow Summer Squash
- Zinnia
- Zucchini
Seasonal tips
- Succession sow bush beans and pole beans every two weeks to extend your summer bean harvest.
- Apply a light mulch around newly transplanted squash and watermelons to retain soil moisture as temperatures rise.
- Pinch back the tops of basil plants regularly now that they are established to encourage bushier growth.
- Prepare for a second planting of fast-maturing crops like radishes or lettuce if you missed an earlier window.
Pest & disease watch
- Watch for early season aphid colonies forming on the new growth of edamame and pole bean plants as temperatures stabilize above freezing.
- Spider mites may become active on French marigolds if the coming week brings unusually dry winds from the Shenandoah Valley.
- Slugs and snails are actively feeding on young nasturtium leaves during these cool, damp nights common in lower Richmond neighborhoods.
Watering this week
Water deeply at the base of plants each morning to encourage deep roots while preventing fungal diseases on foliage.
Harvest your okra early in the morning when pods are tender, as they become tough and stringy later in the day.
Richmond gardening questions
3Can I still start bush beans indoors now that we've had a cold snap?
No, wait until the soil warms up consistently; bush beans planted indoors this late will struggle to establish roots in our local clay once transplanted. Focus on direct sowing warm-season crops like cucumbers and watermelon into well-drained beds instead.
My okra plants are blooming heavily but not setting fruit, is this normal for Richmond right now?
Yes, this week's cool nights around 5°F often delay pollination in okra until the sun warms the flowers during the day. Hand-pollinating with a small brush or waiting out another warm afternoon usually triggers successful pod development.
Should I cover my garlic and parsnips if another frost is predicted for next week?
Generally, no; Richmond hardy varieties like our local leeks and parsnips can tolerate light freezes down to 28°F without issue. Heavy row covers are unnecessary unless a hard freeze below 20°F is forecasted beyond the typical March 28 window.
Other cities in zone 7b
12See the full zone 7b guide → · Plan your Richmond garden in SproutGuide →