What to plant this week in Wilmington, NC
With the last frost officially behind us on March 1, Wilmington gardeners are in full swing for spring planting and early harvests. This week marks the perfect time to push those cold-sensitive crops like Okra, Bush Beans, and Summer Squash into your soil while enjoying the first tender leaves of your Basil.
The next 7 days
Wilmington, NCGrowing in Wilmington right now
- Wilmington's coastal clay soils stay cool longer than inland areas; wait until mid-March before planting deep-rooted Zucchini or squash directly in heavy ground patches near the river.
- Expect rapid afternoon thunderstorms typical of our subtropical climate; mulch heavily around your transplanted Malabar Spinach and Peas to retain moisture as we move into April showers.
- Our salty mist from the Atlantic can stunt young French Marigolds and Nasturtiums; rinse leafy greens weekly or use a protective row cover during heavy spray seasons.
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 beginning to colonize the undersides of hot-weather crops like Okra and Summer Squash as temperatures climb above 75°F.
- Aphids often swarm the new growth on Pole Beans and Scarlet Runner Beans; inspect plants early morning when pests cluster at branch tips.
- Slug activity remains high in our humid lowcountry environment, targeting young Cleome seedlings and Cosmuses near damp garden edges.
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.
Wilmington gardening questions
3Can I finally plant my Okra seeds now that the frost date is past?
Yes, with a March 1st average last frost, you can safely sow heat-loving Okra directly in your beds today. Ensure you water lightly immediately after planting to encourage germination before our typical spring showers hit.
My Basil and Summer Squash are already flowering; is it too late for production?
Not at all—flowering indicates success, but pinching off the first few blossoms will direct energy toward growing larger leaves and more fruit. For the squash, let a few flowers mature so you can harvest the baby fruits within weeks.
Should I worry about garlic bulbs rotting in my raised beds right now?
Since we are past the frost date, your Garlic is likely bulbing up nicely rather than rotting, provided you aren't overwatering. Keep an eye on soil moisture after our frequent spring rains to prevent root rot in our clay-heavy garden spots.
Other cities in zone 8b
12See the full zone 8b guide → · Plan your Wilmington garden in SproutGuide →