What to plant this week in Wilmington, NC
With the last frost officially behind us on March 1, Wilmington gardeners can finally move seedlings into that warm, sandy soil and start sowing cool-season giants like Daikon Radish. This week marks the peak window for harvesting your summer crops before the intense heat hits in earnest.
The next 7 days
Wilmington, NCGrowing in Wilmington right now
- Wilmington's deep, sandy soil drains incredibly fast, so add compost to any raised beds or planting spots to hold moisture for thirsty squash and beans.
- While we are in Zone 8b, our humidity often spikes early; ensure good airflow around crowded plants like Okra and Celery to prevent fungal issues.
- If you plan to plant Garlic now, remember that this coastal location requires a specific fall-to-winter cycle before the spring harvest window opens.
Sow this week
2 crops- Daikon Radish
- Ornamental Allium
Transplant this week
Nothing is due to go out this week.
Harvest soon
44 crops- Acorn Squash
- Basil
- Borage
- Bush Bean
- Butternut Squash
- Cantaloupe
- Celosia (Cockscomb)
- Cleome (Spider Flower)
- Cosmos
- Cowpea (Black-Eyed Pea)
- Cucumber
- Delicata Squash
- Edamame
- Fennel
- Flour Corn
- French Marigold
- Garden Verbena
- Garlic
- Gomphrena (Globe Amaranth)
- Gourd (Ornamental/Bottle)
- Honeydew Melon
- Lima Bean
- Loofah (Luffa)
- Malabar Spinach
- Morning Glory
- Nasturtium
- Okra
- Pole Bean
- Pumpkin
- Purslane
- Roselle (Cranberry Hibiscus)
- Scarlet Runner Bean
- Shiso (Japanese Basil)
- Spaghetti Squash
- 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 cowpeas every two weeks for a continuous harvest through late summer.
- Mulch around heavy feeders like corn, squash, and melons to retain moisture and suppress weeds as temperatures rise.
- Pinch back the tops of basil and borage regularly to encourage bushier growth and prevent flowering.
Pest & disease watch
- Aphids are already finding a home on the new growth of Basil and Zinnia due to the rapid warming temperatures.
- Spider Mites are becoming active in our sandy soil patches where moisture is low, especially on Sunflowers and Fennel.
- Watch for Cucumber Beetles attacking your early Cucumbers and Yellow Summer Squash as they emerge from the ground.
Watering this week
Provide deep, consistent watering at the base of plants every 2-3 days to prevent blossom drop on squash and melons.
Harvest acorn and butternut squash when they have fully ripened and developed a hard rind for best winter storage.
Wilmington gardening questions
3Can I still plant tomatoes or peppers this week?
No, it is too warm and risky to start new transplants now; you should have already finished those sowings in February. Focus your energy on sowing cool-season Daikon Radish instead while the soil temperature remains ideal.
My Acorn Squash looks like it's bolting or wilting, what do I do?
Since Wilmington gets hot quickly, ensure you are watering deeply every other day to compensate for the sandy soil drainage. Keep harvesting them promptly when they reach maturity to prevent the plant from redirecting energy away from fruit production.
Is now the right time to stop using frost cloth on my crops?
Yes, with the average last frost date of March 1 passed, you can remove all row covers and fleece immediately. Let your Malabar Spinach and Cowpeas grow freely without protection as they thrive in this week's rising temperatures.
Other cities in zone 8b
12See the full zone 8b guide → · Plan your Wilmington garden in SproutGuide →