SproutGuide Almanac · updated weekly

SproutGuide

What to plant this week in Zone 8a

Week of 2026-W37

With the last frost date now past on March 13, Zone 8a gardeners can confidently sow warm-season crops like bush beans, cucumbers, okra, and zucchini. Many summer favorites such as cantaloupe, sweet corn, and watermelon are also ready to be harvested soon.

The next 7 days

Sample: Baltimore, MD
Today
9/12
81° 65°
Sun
9/13
88° 73° 💧57%
Mon
9/14
78° 66°
Tue
9/15
78° 59°
Wed
9/16
82° 65°
Thu
9/17
85° 68°
Fri
9/18
88° 69° 💧18%
Avg high 83°F Rain total 0.5" Humidity 63% Wind 5.8 mph
In the ground

Sow this week

7 crops
  • Bush Bean
  • Cucumber
  • French Marigold
  • Nasturtium
  • Okra
  • Yellow Summer Squash
  • Zucchini
Move out

Transplant this week

Nothing is due to go out this week.

Coming ripe

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
Do this now

Seasonal tips

  • Succession sow bush beans and pole beans every two weeks for a continuous harvest throughout the growing season.
  • Apply a layer of organic mulch around young squash and melons to keep soil cool and retain moisture as temperatures rise.
  • Pinch back the tops of basil and borage regularly to encourage bushier growth before the heat sets in.
Keep watch

Pest & disease watch

  • Monitor cucumber and squash plants for early signs of aphids or spider mites as humidity increases.
  • Check newly sown sunflower seeds for cutworms, which are common early-season pests in this zone.
  • Inspect French marigolds and nasturtiums for thrips that can damage delicate foliage.
Water

Watering this week

Water deeply at the base of plants in the morning to reduce evaporation and prevent fungal issues on leafy greens.

One more thing

Plant garlic now if you missed the fall window, as it is listed for harvest soon, indicating late planting opportunities remain viable.

All year

Zone 8a planting calendar

191 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 75

CropStart indoorsSow outdoors TransplantHarvestMaturity JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Acorn Squash Feb 20 – Feb 27 Mar 27 – Aug 6 Mar 27 – Apr 10 Jun 5 – Nov 14 85d
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
Butternut Squash Feb 20 – Feb 27 Mar 27 – Aug 1 Mar 27 – Apr 10 Jun 17 – Nov 14 94d
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
Daikon Radish — Sep 26 – Oct 31 — Nov 15 – Dec 19 60d
Delicata Squash Feb 20 – Feb 27 Mar 27 – Aug 6 Mar 27 – Apr 10 Jun 15 – Nov 14 90d
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
Spaghetti Squash Feb 20 – Feb 27 Mar 27 – Jul 27 Mar 27 – Apr 10 Jun 10 – Nov 14 93d
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 22

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
Purslane — Mar 20 – Sep 15 — May 4 – Nov 14 53d
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 25

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
Red Mulberry — — Feb 13 – Mar 27 — 3.5 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 69

CropStart indoorsSow outdoors TransplantHarvestMaturity JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Ageratum (Floss Flower) Jan 16 – Jan 30 — Mar 20 – Apr 3 May 19 – Jun 27 73d
American Wisteria — — Feb 27 – Apr 10 — 3.5 yr
Angelonia (Summer Snapdragon) Jan 16 – Jan 30 — Mar 20 – Apr 3 May 19 – Jul 2 75d
Bachelor's Button (Cornflower) — Feb 13 – Mar 27 — Apr 19 – Jun 5 68d
Bee Balm — — Mar 13 – Apr 10 — 1.5 yr
Bigleaf Hydrangea (Mophead) — — Feb 27 – Apr 10 — 2.5 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
Carolina Jessamine — — Mar 13 – Apr 10 — 2.5 yr
Cat’s Claw Vine — — Mar 13 – Apr 10 — 2.5 yr
Celosia (Cockscomb) Jan 30 – Feb 13 Mar 20 – Aug 11 Mar 20 – Apr 3 Jun 3 – Nov 14 85d
Chocolate Vine (Akebia) — — Mar 13 – Apr 10 — 2.5 yr
Cleome (Spider Flower) — Mar 20 – Aug 31 — May 14 – Nov 14 65d
Climbing Hydrangea — — Feb 27 – Apr 10 — 3.5 yr
Climbing Rose — — Mar 13 – Apr 10 — 2.5 yr
Coleus Jan 16 – Jan 30 — Mar 20 – Apr 3 May 19 – Jul 2 75d
Coral Honeysuckle — — Feb 27 – Apr 10 — 2.5 yr
Coreopsis (Tickseed) — — Mar 13 – Apr 10 — 1.5 yr
Cosmos — Mar 20 – Aug 16 — May 19 – Nov 14 75d
Craspedia (Billy Buttons) Jan 2 – Jan 16 — Mar 20 – Apr 3 Jun 18 – Aug 1 105d
Dahlia — — Mar 20 – Apr 3 Jun 18 – Aug 1 105d
English Ivy — — Mar 13 – Apr 10 — 2.5 yr
French Marigold Feb 6 – Feb 20 Mar 20 – Sep 15 Mar 20 – Apr 3 May 4 – Nov 14 53d
Gaillardia (Blanket Flower) — — Mar 13 – Apr 10 — 1.5 yr
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
Gomphrena (Globe Amaranth) Jan 30 – Feb 13 Mar 20 – Aug 6 Mar 20 – Apr 3 Jun 13 – Nov 14 93d
Gregg’s Mistflower — — Mar 13 – Apr 10 — 1.5 yr
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
Hosta — — Feb 27 – Apr 10 — 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
Lobelia (Edging Lobelia) Jan 2 – Jan 16 — Feb 27 – Mar 20 May 8 – Jun 13 78d
Morning Glory Feb 20 – Feb 27 Mar 20 – Aug 16 Mar 20 – Apr 3 May 24 – Nov 14 78d
Nasturtium — Mar 20 – Sep 10 — May 9 – Nov 14 58d
New England Aster — — Mar 13 – Apr 10 — 1.5 yr
Ornamental Allium — Oct 3 – Nov 14 — — 1.5 yr
Ornamental Sweet Potato Vine — — Mar 27 – Apr 24 May 26 – Jul 23 75d
Osteospermum (African Daisy) Jan 16 – Jan 30 — Mar 6 – Mar 27 May 5 – Jun 25 75d
Panicle Hydrangea — — Feb 27 – Apr 10 — 2.5 yr
Pansy Jan 2 – Jan 16 — Feb 13 – Feb 27 Apr 24 – May 28 80d
Passionflower (Maypop) — — Mar 20 – Apr 10 — 1.5 yr
Pentas (Egyptian Star Flower) Jan 16 – Jan 30 — Mar 20 – Apr 3 May 29 – Jul 2 80d
Petunia Jan 2 – Jan 16 — Mar 20 – Apr 3 May 29 – Jul 2 80d
Purple Coneflower — — Mar 13 – Apr 10 — 1.5 yr
Queen’s Wreath (Coral Vine) — — Mar 27 – Apr 10 — 1.5 yr
Salvia — — Mar 20 – Apr 3 — 110d
Scabiosa (Pincushion Flower) — — Mar 13 – Apr 10 — 1.5 yr
Sedum ('Autumn Joy'-type) — — Mar 13 – Apr 10 — 1.5 yr
Shasta Daisy — — Mar 13 – Apr 10 — 1.5 yr
Snapdragon Jan 16 – Jan 30 — Feb 27 – Mar 13 May 18 – Jun 21 90d
Star Jasmine (Confederate Jasmine) — — Mar 13 – Apr 10 — 2.5 yr
Statice Jan 16 – Jan 30 — Mar 13 – Mar 27 Jun 11 – Jul 15 100d
Stock Jan 2 – Jan 16 Jan 30 – Feb 27 Feb 13 – Feb 27 Apr 10 – Jun 7 85d
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
Sweet Pea Jan 16 – Jan 30 Jan 30 – Feb 27 Feb 13 – Feb 27 Apr 15 – Jun 7 88d
Trumpet Vine (Trumpet Creeper) — — Feb 27 – Apr 10 — 2.5 yr
Vinca (Madagascar Periwinkle) Feb 13 – Feb 27 Mar 20 – Aug 31 Mar 20 – Apr 3 May 19 – Nov 14 68d
Viola (Johnny-Jump-Up) Jan 2 – Jan 16 Jan 16 – Feb 13 Jan 30 – Feb 27 Mar 17 – May 28 75d
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

Plan your own zone 8a garden in SproutGuide →