What to plant this week in Virginia Beach, VA
With the last frost officially behind us on March 1, Virginia Beach gardeners can confidently move those spring crops into the ground and start sowing heat-lovers like okra and watermelon right now. The week ahead signals a full shift to summer production as coastal breezes warm up and soil temperatures finally climb above 60°F for beans and corn.
The next 7 days
Virginia Beach, VAGrowing in Virginia Beach right now
- Protect young seedlings from persistent ocean salt spray if planting near the dunes, using row covers or frequent rinsing with fresh water.
- Improve sandy soil's water retention by mixing in organic compost before sowing bush beans or sweet corn to prevent rapid drying.
- Space plants like cucumber and squash generously to maximize airflow in our humid coastal microclimate and reduce fungal risk.
- Take advantage of the mild winter weather now to plant Vinca or Garden Verbena as early annual color rather than waiting for late spring.
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 for aphids clustering on new growth of fennel and cosmos; a strong spray of water often dislodges them before they establish.
- Monitor squash vine borers in zucchini and summer squash starting mid-week, especially if plants show wilting despite wet soil.
- Check the undersides of bean leaves for spider mites, which thrive in our warm, dry coastal winds this time of year.
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.
Virginia Beach gardening questions
3Can I finally plant my sweet corn in Virginia Beach now?
Yes, you can sow sweet corn immediately as soil temperatures have warmed up past the critical 60°F threshold needed for germination. Plant seeds about an inch deep and ensure they get at least six hours of direct sun to thrive.
What's the best way to handle okra in our sandy coastal soil?
Okra loves the heat, but sandy soil here dries out quickly, so water deeply every two days once seedlings emerge. Mulching heavily around the base will also help retain moisture and keep roots cool during hot spells.
Are there any vegetables I should harvest before the first fall frost in December?
You have plenty of time to harvest bush beans, cucumbers, and zucchini well before the average first frost date of Dec 1. Keep an eye on watermelons and cantaloupes this week as they often ripen quickly once pollinated.
Other cities in zone 8b
12See the full zone 8b guide → · Plan your Virginia Beach garden in SproutGuide →