SproutGuide Almanac · updated weekly

SproutGuide

What to plant this week in Zone 8a

Week of 2026-W31

Welcome to Zone 8a, where the last frost average is March 13 and the first arrives November 28. This week focuses on sowing warm-season crops like Bush Beans, Cucumber, and Sweet Corn while harvesting a wide variety of summer favorites such as Basil, Zucchini, and Okra.

The next 7 days

Sample: Baltimore, MD
Today
7/28
87° 68° 💧86%
Wed
7/29
81° 67°
Thu
7/30
83° 66°
Fri
7/31
88° 69°
Sat
8/1
85° 70°
Sun
8/2
87° 71° 💧40%
Mon
8/3
86° 72° 💧40%
Avg high 85°F Rain total 1.4" Humidity 74% Wind 7.4 mph
In the ground

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
Move out

Transplant this week

Nothing is due to go out this week.

Coming ripe

Harvest soon

41 crops
  • Basil
  • Borage
  • 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)
  • 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
Do this now

Seasonal tips

  • Succession sow bush beans and pole beans every two weeks for a continuous harvest throughout the summer.
  • Apply a light layer of mulch around warm-season vegetables to retain soil moisture and keep roots cool.
  • Pinch back the tops of basil plants regularly to encourage bushier growth before harvesting leaves.
Keep watch

Pest & disease watch

  • Watch for aphids on newly transplanted or seedling Nasturtium and Marigold.
  • Inspect leaf undersides of Celery and Sweet Corn for early signs of caterpillar damage.
  • Keep an eye out for squash vine borers on Zucchini, Cucumber, and Pumpkin vines.
Water

Watering this week

Water deeply in the morning to keep moisture consistent but avoid wetting the foliage to prevent disease.

One more thing

Harvest beans when pods are young and tender to maximize flavor and encourage further production from each plant.

All year

Zone 8a planting calendar

150 crops

Average planting and harvest windows for everything that grows in zone 8a — dates shift a week or two with the season, so treat them as a starting point and check the weekly guide above for what's open right now.

Vegetables 70

CropStart indoorsSow outdoors TransplantHarvestMaturity JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Anaheim (New Mexico) Pepper Jan 16 – Jan 30 — Mar 27 – Apr 10 Jun 10 – Jun 29 78d
Artichoke Jan 16 – Jan 30 — Mar 13 – Mar 27 — 165d
Arugula — Feb 13 – Mar 27 — Mar 15 – May 6 35d
Asparagus — — Feb 13 – Mar 13 — 2.5 yr
Banana Pepper Jan 16 – Jan 30 — Mar 27 – Apr 10 May 31 – Jun 29 73d
Beefsteak Tomato Jan 30 – Feb 13 — Mar 20 – Apr 3 Jun 8 – Jul 7 88d
Beet — Feb 13 – Apr 10 — Apr 4 – Jun 19 60d
Bell Pepper Jan 16 – Jan 30 — Mar 27 – Apr 10 May 26 – Jul 9 75d
Bok Choy — Feb 27 – Mar 27 — Apr 8 – May 16 45d
Broccoli Jan 23 – Feb 6 — Feb 27 – Mar 13 Apr 23 – May 22 63d
Brussels Sprouts Jan 30 – Feb 13 — Mar 13 – Mar 27 Jun 11 – Jul 15 100d
Bush Bean — Mar 20 – Sep 15 — May 9 – Nov 14 55d
Cabbage Jan 16 – Jan 30 — Feb 27 – Mar 13 May 8 – Jun 11 80d
Carrot — Feb 20 – Apr 10 — Apr 21 – Jun 29 70d
Cauliflower Jan 23 – Feb 6 — Mar 13 – Mar 27 May 7 – Jun 10 65d
Cayenne Pepper Jan 16 – Jan 30 — Mar 27 – Apr 10 Jun 5 – Jun 29 75d
Celery Jan 2 – Jan 16 — Mar 13 – Mar 27 Jun 21 – Aug 4 115d
Cherry Tomato Jan 30 – Feb 13 — Mar 20 – Apr 3 May 14 – Jun 12 63d
Collard Greens — Feb 27 – Mar 27 Mar 13 – Mar 27 Apr 23 – Jun 10 65d
Cowpea (Black-Eyed Pea) — Mar 27 – Aug 16 — May 26 – Nov 14 75d
Cucumber — Mar 27 – Sep 10 Mar 27 – Apr 10 May 16 – Nov 14 58d
Edamame — Mar 27 – Aug 16 — Jun 10 – Nov 14 83d
Eggplant Jan 16 – Jan 30 — Mar 27 – Apr 10 May 31 – Jul 4 75d
Fava (Broad) Bean — Jan 30 – Feb 27 — Apr 10 – Jun 7 85d
Flour Corn — Mar 20 – Jul 17 — Jun 18 – Nov 14 105d
Garden Pea — Jan 30 – Feb 27 — Mar 26 – May 8 63d
Garlic — Oct 31 – Dec 12 — Jun 28 – Dec 19 255d
Ghost Pepper (Bhut Jolokia) Jan 2 – Jan 16 — Mar 27 – Apr 10 Jul 5 – Aug 8 110d
Gourd (Ornamental/Bottle) — Mar 27 – Jul 17 — Jul 5 – Nov 14 110d
Habanero Pepper Jan 16 – Jan 30 — Mar 27 – Apr 10 Jun 25 – Jul 19 95d
Jalapeño Jan 16 – Jan 30 — Mar 27 – Apr 10 May 31 – Jul 4 75d
Kale Jan 30 – Feb 13 Feb 27 – Mar 27 Feb 27 – Mar 13 Apr 18 – May 31 58d
Kohlrabi — Feb 13 – Mar 13 — Mar 25 – May 7 48d
Leek Jan 2 – Jan 16 — Mar 13 – Mar 27 Jun 21 – Jul 25 110d
Lettuce Jan 30 – Feb 13 Feb 13 – Mar 27 Feb 27 – Mar 13 Mar 30 – May 26 53d
Lima Bean — Mar 27 – Aug 16 — May 31 – Nov 14 78d
Loofah (Luffa) — Mar 27 – Jun 17 Mar 27 – Apr 10 Jun 25 – Nov 14 120d
Malabar Spinach Feb 20 – Feb 27 Mar 27 – Sep 5 Mar 27 – Apr 10 May 26 – Nov 14 65d
Marconi Pepper Jan 16 – Jan 30 — Mar 27 – Apr 10 Jun 10 – Jul 4 80d
Mustard Greens — Feb 13 – Mar 27 — Mar 20 – May 11 40d
Napa Cabbage Jan 16 – Jan 30 — Feb 27 – Mar 13 Apr 18 – Jun 1 65d
Okra — Apr 3 – Sep 10 Apr 3 – Apr 17 May 28 – Nov 14 60d
Onion Jan 2 – Jan 16 — Feb 13 – Feb 27 May 14 – Jun 17 100d
Parsnip — Feb 27 – Mar 27 — Jun 7 – Jul 25 110d
Poblano Pepper Jan 16 – Jan 30 — Mar 27 – Apr 10 May 31 – Jun 29 73d
Pole Bean — Mar 20 – Sep 5 — May 19 – Nov 14 65d
Potato — Feb 27 – Mar 27 — May 8 – Jul 25 95d
Pumpkin — Mar 27 – Jul 17 — Jun 30 – Nov 14 108d
Radish — Feb 13 – Apr 10 — Mar 7 – May 10 26d
Rhubarb — — Feb 13 – Mar 13 — 1.5 yr
Roma Tomato Jan 30 – Feb 13 — Mar 20 – Apr 3 May 29 – Jun 22 75d
Roselle (Cranberry Hibiscus) — Apr 3 – Jun 17 Apr 3 – Apr 17 Jul 12 – Nov 14 125d
Rutabaga — Feb 27 – Mar 27 — May 28 – Jul 5 95d
Scallion (Bunching Onion) — Feb 13 – Apr 10 — Apr 14 – Jun 19 65d
Scarlet Runner Bean — Mar 20 – Sep 5 — May 19 – Nov 14 65d
Serrano Pepper Jan 16 – Jan 30 — Mar 27 – Apr 10 Jun 10 – Jun 29 78d
Shallot — — Feb 13 – Feb 27 May 14 – Jun 7 95d
Shishito Pepper Jan 16 – Jan 30 — Mar 27 – Apr 10 May 21 – Jun 14 60d
Snow Pea — Jan 30 – Feb 27 — Mar 31 – May 8 65d
Spinach — Jan 30 – Mar 13 — Mar 6 – Apr 27 40d
Sugar Snap Pea — Jan 30 – Feb 27 — Mar 26 – May 3 60d
Sweet Corn — Mar 20 – Aug 16 — May 24 – Nov 14 78d
Sweet Potato — — Mar 27 – Apr 24 Jun 25 – Aug 22 105d
Swiss Chard — Feb 27 – Apr 10 — Apr 18 – Jun 9 55d
Tomatillo Jan 30 – Feb 13 — Mar 20 – Apr 3 Jun 3 – Jul 12 88d
Tomato Jan 30 – Feb 13 — Mar 20 – Apr 3 May 19 – Jun 27 73d
Turnip — Feb 13 – Mar 27 — Mar 25 – May 26 50d
Winter Squash — Mar 27 – Jul 27 — Jun 25 – Nov 14 100d
Yellow Summer Squash Feb 20 – Feb 27 Mar 27 – Sep 20 Mar 27 – Apr 10 May 11 – Nov 14 50d
Zucchini Feb 20 – Feb 27 Mar 27 – Sep 20 Mar 27 – Apr 10 May 11 – Nov 14 50d

Herbs 21

CropStart indoorsSow outdoors TransplantHarvestMaturity JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Anise Hyssop — — Mar 13 – Apr 10 — 1.5 yr
Basil Jan 30 – Feb 13 Mar 27 – Sep 5 Mar 27 – Apr 10 May 16 – Nov 14 60d
Chervil — Feb 27 – Mar 27 — Apr 13 – May 26 53d
Chives — Feb 13 – Mar 13 Feb 27 – Mar 27 — 75d
Cilantro — Feb 27 – Mar 27 — Apr 8 – May 21 48d
Dill — Feb 27 – Apr 10 — Apr 8 – Jun 4 48d
Fennel — Mar 13 – Aug 16 — May 17 – Nov 14 78d
French Tarragon — — Mar 13 – Apr 10 — 85d
German Chamomile — Feb 27 – Mar 27 — Apr 28 – May 31 63d
Ginger — — Apr 10 – May 8 — 270d
Lemon Balm — — Mar 13 – Apr 10 — 80d
Lemongrass — — Mar 13 – Apr 10 — 105d
Mint — — Mar 13 – Apr 10 — 75d
Oregano — — Mar 13 – Apr 10 — 85d
Parsley Jan 2 – Jan 16 — Feb 27 – Mar 27 May 8 – Jun 25 80d
Rosemary — — Mar 13 – Apr 10 — 273d
Sage — — Mar 13 – Apr 10 — 83d
Shiso (Japanese Basil) Jan 30 – Feb 13 Mar 20 – Aug 21 Mar 20 – Apr 3 May 29 – Nov 14 78d
Summer Savory Jan 30 – Feb 13 Mar 27 – Sep 5 Mar 27 – Apr 10 May 26 – Nov 14 65d
Thai Basil Jan 30 – Feb 13 Mar 27 – Aug 31 Mar 27 – Apr 10 May 26 – Nov 14 68d
Thyme — — Mar 13 – Apr 10 — 135d

Fruits 24

CropStart indoorsSow outdoors TransplantHarvestMaturity JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Almond — — Feb 27 – Apr 10 — 3.5 yr
Apple — — Feb 13 – Mar 27 — 3.5 yr
Apricot — — Feb 13 – Mar 27 — 3.5 yr
Black Walnut — — Feb 27 – Apr 10 — 4.5 yr
Blackberry — — Feb 13 – Mar 13 — 1.2 yr
Blueberry — — Feb 27 – Apr 10 — 2.5 yr
Cantaloupe Feb 20 – Feb 27 Mar 27 – Aug 16 Mar 27 – Apr 10 Jun 5 – Nov 14 80d
Elderberry — — Feb 27 – Apr 10 — 2.5 yr
English (Persian) Walnut — — Feb 27 – Apr 10 — 4.5 yr
Fig — — Mar 13 – Apr 10 — 1.5 yr
Grape — — Feb 27 – Mar 27 — 2.5 yr
Ground Cherry Jan 30 – Feb 13 — Mar 20 – Apr 3 May 24 – Jun 17 70d
Honeydew Melon Feb 20 – Feb 27 Mar 27 – Aug 6 Mar 27 – Apr 10 Jun 15 – Nov 14 90d
Olive — — Mar 13 – Apr 10 — 3.5 yr
Peach — — Feb 13 – Mar 27 — 2.5 yr
Pear — — Feb 13 – Mar 27 — 3.5 yr
Pecan — — Feb 27 – Apr 10 — 4.5 yr
Plum — — Feb 13 – Mar 27 — 3.5 yr
Pomegranate — — Mar 13 – Apr 10 — 3.5 yr
Raspberry — — Feb 13 – Mar 13 — 1.2 yr
Strawberry — — Feb 13 – Mar 13 — 243d
Sweet Cherry — — Feb 13 – Mar 27 — 3.5 yr
Tart (Pie) Cherry — — Feb 13 – Mar 27 — 3.5 yr
Watermelon Feb 20 – Feb 27 Mar 27 – Aug 11 Mar 27 – Apr 10 Jun 10 – Nov 14 85d

Flowers 35

CropStart indoorsSow outdoors TransplantHarvestMaturity JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Bachelor's Button (Cornflower) — Feb 13 – Mar 27 — Apr 19 – Jun 5 68d
Bee Balm — — Mar 13 – Apr 10 — 1.5 yr
Black-Eyed Susan — Mar 13 – Jul 17 Mar 13 – Apr 10 — 110d
Borage — Mar 13 – Sep 5 — May 7 – Nov 14 63d
Butterfly Milkweed — — Mar 13 – Apr 10 — 1.5 yr
Calendula — Feb 27 – Mar 27 — Apr 13 – May 26 53d
Cleome (Spider Flower) — Mar 20 – Aug 31 — May 14 – Nov 14 65d
Cosmos — Mar 20 – Aug 16 — May 19 – Nov 14 75d
Dahlia — — Mar 20 – Apr 3 Jun 18 – Aug 1 105d
French Marigold Feb 6 – Feb 20 Mar 20 – Sep 15 Mar 20 – Apr 3 May 4 – Nov 14 53d
Garden Geranium (Zonal) Jan 2 – Jan 16 — Mar 20 – Apr 3 May 29 – Jul 2 80d
Garden Phlox — — Mar 13 – Apr 10 — 1.5 yr
Garden Rose (Shrub) — — Mar 13 – Apr 10 — 1.5 yr
Garden Verbena Jan 16 – Jan 30 Mar 20 – Aug 16 Mar 20 – Apr 3 May 29 – Nov 14 80d
Hardy Hibiscus — — Mar 13 – Apr 10 — 1.5 yr
Hearts & Flowers (Heartleaf Iceplant) — — Mar 20 – Apr 10 — 75d
Hollyhock Jan 16 – Jan 30 — Feb 27 – Mar 13 — 1.5 yr
Lantana Jan 16 – Jan 30 — Mar 20 – Apr 3 May 29 – Jul 2 80d
Lavender — — Mar 13 – Apr 10 — 1.5 yr
Lisianthus (Prairie Gentian) Dec 19 – Jan 2 — Mar 27 – Apr 10 Jul 5 – Aug 8 110d
Nasturtium — Mar 20 – Sep 10 — May 9 – Nov 14 58d
New England Aster — — Mar 13 – Apr 10 — 1.5 yr
Ornamental Sweet Potato Vine — — Mar 27 – Apr 24 May 26 – Jul 23 75d
Panicle Hydrangea — — Feb 27 – Apr 10 — 2.5 yr
Pansy Jan 2 – Jan 16 — Feb 13 – Feb 27 Apr 24 – May 28 80d
Petunia Jan 2 – Jan 16 — Mar 20 – Apr 3 May 29 – Jul 2 80d
Purple Coneflower — — Mar 13 – Apr 10 — 1.5 yr
Salvia — — Mar 20 – Apr 3 — 110d
Sedum ('Autumn Joy'-type) — — Mar 13 – Apr 10 — 1.5 yr
Snapdragon Jan 16 – Jan 30 — Feb 27 – Mar 13 May 18 – Jun 21 90d
Sunflower — Mar 20 – Aug 6 — May 29 – Nov 14 85d
Sweet Alyssum — Feb 27 – Mar 27 Mar 13 – Mar 27 Apr 18 – May 26 55d
Vinca (Madagascar Periwinkle) Feb 13 – Feb 27 Mar 20 – Aug 31 Mar 20 – Apr 3 May 19 – Nov 14 68d
Yarrow — — Mar 13 – Apr 10 — 135d
Zinnia Feb 13 – Feb 27 Mar 20 – Aug 31 Mar 20 – Apr 3 May 19 – Nov 14 68d
Local pages

Cities in zone 8a

12

Baltimore, MD · Washington, DC · Atlanta, GA · Charlotte, NC · Raleigh, NC · Durham, NC · Greenville, SC · Memphis, TN · Chattanooga, TN · Birmingham, AL · Huntsville, AL · Little Rock, AR

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