What to plant this week in Savannah, GA
With average last frost dates around Feb 6, Savannah gardeners are already deep into the peak of summer production in Zone 9a. This week focuses on aggressive harvesting of heat-lovers like okra and bush beans while monitoring humidity to prevent rapid disease spread.
The next 7 days
Savannah, GAGrowing in Savannah right now
- Savannah's sandy, well-draining soil warms quickly but holds less moisture than inland areas; apply thick organic mulch to retain water during our frequent afternoon thunderstorms.
- High summer humidity in the Lowcountry favors fungal issues, so space out your Malabar Spinach and Pole Beans for maximum airflow rather than dense planting.
- Watch for late-season cool snaps near the coast after Dec 15, which can shock tender crops like Summer Squash and Zinnia if left outside too long.
- Utilize our consistent rainfall pattern by watering deeply in the early morning to minimize evaporation loss on our clay-sand mix soils.
Sow this week
18 crops- Basil
- Borage
- Bush Bean
- Cleome (Spider Flower)
- Cucumber
- French Marigold
- Malabar Spinach
- Nasturtium
- Okra
- Pole Bean
- Scarlet Runner Bean
- Shiso (Japanese Basil)
- Summer Savory
- Thai Basil
- Vinca (Madagascar Periwinkle)
- Yellow Summer Squash
- Zinnia
- 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 every two weeks for a continuous harvest throughout the summer heat.
- Mulch around newly transplanted squash and pumpkins to retain moisture and suppress weeds as temperatures rise.
- Pinch back the tops of basil plants regularly to encourage bushier growth and prevent flowering.
Pest & disease watch
- Spider mites often explode during dry heatwaves between thunderstorms, targeting your Zinnias and French Marigolds first.
- Southern Corn Borers are active now, so inspect Sweet Corn and Sunflower stalks for silk tubes or drooping leaves immediately.
- Aphids thrive on the sticky honeydew from excess rain, quickly colonizing new growth on Okra and Thai Basil.
Watering this week
Water deeply in the early morning to help plants withstand afternoon heat while minimizing evaporation losses.
Harvest watermelon and cantaloupe regularly to signal the plant to continue producing fruit rather than stopping growth.
Savannah gardening questions
3Can I plant cold-season crops like Garlic in Savannah this week?
While Garlic is listed for harvest soon now, you must wait until late autumn or early winter to sow cloves here as the ground needs a hard freeze to initiate bulb formation.
Is it safe to transplant Vinca (Madagascar Periwinkle) now in Zone 9a?
No, Vinca is listed only for harvesting flowers this week; transplants should wait until cooler fall weather arrives after the December frost date.
How do I protect my Watermelon from cracking under Savannah's intense sun?
Place a board or cardboard directly beneath developing fruit to prevent them from touching hot soil, and ensure consistent watering so the vines don't stop absorbing moisture suddenly.
Other cities in zone 9a
9See the full zone 9a guide → · Plan your Savannah garden in SproutGuide →