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SproutGuide

What to plant this week in Zone 8b

Week of 2026-W37

With average last frost on March 1, Zone 8b is well into the growing season, offering a long window until December 1. This week, focus your energy on sowing warm-season crops like bush beans and cucumbers while harvesting early basil and borage.

The next 7 days

Sample: Columbia, SC
Today
9/12
89° 73° 💧36%
Sun
9/13
93° 73° 💧19%
Mon
9/14
99° 71°
Tue
9/15
89° 73°
Wed
9/16
89° 67°
Thu
9/17
90° 66°
Fri
9/18
94° 72°
Avg high 92°F Rain total 0" Humidity 58% Wind 5.2 mph 🔥 Heat wave 1 day
In the ground

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
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 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.
Keep watch

Pest & disease watch

  • Watch for aphids on the tender new growth of basil and nasturtiums.
  • Inspect cucumber and melon vines for early signs of powdery mildew or squash bugs.
  • Check transplanted okra and scarlet runner beans for spider mites in dry, hot conditions.
Water

Watering this week

Water deeply in the morning to encourage strong root growth while keeping foliage dry to prevent disease.

One more thing

Snip off spent flowers from your yellow summer squash plants every few days to keep them producing more fruit.

All year

Zone 8b planting calendar

186 crops

Average planting and harvest windows for everything that grows in zone 8b — 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 74

Vegetable planting and harvest windows for USDA zone 8b
CropStart indoorsSow outdoors TransplantHarvestMaturity JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Acorn Squash Feb 8 – Feb 15 Mar 15 – Aug 9 Mar 15 – Mar 29 May 24 – Nov 17 85d
Anaheim (New Mexico) Pepper Jan 4 – Jan 18 Mar 15 – Mar 29 May 29 – Jun 17 78d
Artichoke Jan 4 – Jan 18 Mar 1 – Mar 15 165d
Arugula Feb 1 – Mar 15 Mar 3 – Apr 24 35d
Asparagus Feb 1 – Mar 1 2.5 yr
Banana Pepper Jan 4 – Jan 18 Mar 15 – Mar 29 May 19 – Jun 17 73d
Beefsteak Tomato Jan 18 – Feb 1 Mar 8 – Mar 22 May 27 – Jun 25 88d
Beet Feb 1 – Mar 29 Mar 23 – Jun 7 60d
Bell Pepper Jan 4 – Jan 18 Mar 15 – Mar 29 May 14 – Jun 27 75d
Bok Choy Feb 15 – Mar 15 Mar 27 – May 4 45d
Broccoli Jan 11 – Jan 25 Feb 15 – Mar 1 Apr 11 – May 10 63d
Brussels Sprouts Jan 18 – Feb 1 Mar 1 – Mar 15 May 30 – Jul 3 100d
Bush Bean Mar 8 – Sep 18 Apr 27 – Nov 17 55d
Butternut Squash Feb 8 – Feb 15 Mar 15 – Aug 4 Mar 15 – Mar 29 Jun 5 – Nov 17 94d
Cabbage Jan 4 – Jan 18 Feb 15 – Mar 1 Apr 26 – May 30 80d
Carrot Feb 8 – Mar 29 Apr 9 – Jun 17 70d
Cauliflower Jan 11 – Jan 25 Mar 1 – Mar 15 Apr 25 – May 29 65d
Cayenne Pepper Jan 4 – Jan 18 Mar 15 – Mar 29 May 24 – Jun 17 75d
Celery Dec 21 – Jan 4 Mar 1 – Mar 15 Jun 9 – Jul 23 115d
Cherry Tomato Jan 18 – Feb 1 Mar 8 – Mar 22 May 2 – May 31 63d
Collard Greens Feb 15 – Mar 15 Mar 1 – Mar 15 Apr 11 – May 29 65d
Cowpea (Black-Eyed Pea) Mar 15 – Aug 19 May 14 – Nov 17 75d
Cucumber Mar 15 – Sep 13 Mar 15 – Mar 29 May 4 – Nov 17 58d
Daikon Radish Sep 29 – Nov 3 Nov 18 – Dec 22 60d
Delicata Squash Feb 8 – Feb 15 Mar 15 – Aug 9 Mar 15 – Mar 29 Jun 3 – Nov 17 90d
Edamame Mar 15 – Aug 19 May 29 – Nov 17 83d
Eggplant Jan 4 – Jan 18 Mar 15 – Mar 29 May 19 – Jun 22 75d
Fava (Broad) Bean Jan 18 – Feb 15 Mar 29 – May 26 85d
Flour Corn Mar 8 – Jul 20 Jun 6 – Nov 17 105d
Garden Pea Jan 18 – Feb 15 Mar 14 – Apr 26 63d
Garlic Nov 3 – Dec 15 Jul 1 – Dec 22 255d
Ghost Pepper (Bhut Jolokia) Dec 21 – Jan 4 Mar 15 – Mar 29 Jun 23 – Jul 27 110d
Gourd (Ornamental/Bottle) Mar 15 – Jul 20 Jun 23 – Nov 17 110d
Habanero Pepper Jan 4 – Jan 18 Mar 15 – Mar 29 Jun 13 – Jul 7 95d
Jalapeño Jan 4 – Jan 18 Mar 15 – Mar 29 May 19 – Jun 22 75d
Kale Jan 18 – Feb 1 Feb 15 – Mar 15 Feb 15 – Mar 1 Apr 6 – May 19 58d
Kohlrabi Feb 1 – Mar 1 Mar 13 – Apr 25 48d
Leek Dec 21 – Jan 4 Mar 1 – Mar 15 Jun 9 – Jul 13 110d
Lettuce Jan 18 – Feb 1 Feb 1 – Mar 15 Feb 15 – Mar 1 Mar 18 – May 14 53d
Lima Bean Mar 15 – Aug 19 May 19 – Nov 17 78d
Loofah (Luffa) Mar 15 – Jun 20 Mar 15 – Mar 29 Jun 13 – Nov 17 120d
Malabar Spinach Feb 8 – Feb 15 Mar 15 – Sep 8 Mar 15 – Mar 29 May 14 – Nov 17 65d
Marconi Pepper Jan 4 – Jan 18 Mar 15 – Mar 29 May 29 – Jun 22 80d
Mustard Greens Feb 1 – Mar 15 Mar 8 – Apr 29 40d
Napa Cabbage Jan 4 – Jan 18 Feb 15 – Mar 1 Apr 6 – May 20 65d
Okra Mar 22 – Sep 13 Mar 22 – Apr 5 May 16 – Nov 17 60d
Onion Dec 21 – Jan 4 Feb 1 – Feb 15 May 2 – Jun 5 100d
Parsnip Feb 15 – Mar 15 May 26 – Jul 13 110d
Poblano Pepper Jan 4 – Jan 18 Mar 15 – Mar 29 May 19 – Jun 17 73d
Pole Bean Mar 8 – Sep 8 May 7 – Nov 17 65d
Potato Feb 15 – Mar 15 Apr 26 – Jul 13 95d
Pumpkin Mar 15 – Jul 20 Jun 18 – Nov 17 108d
Radish Feb 1 – Mar 29 Feb 23 – Apr 28 26d
Roma Tomato Jan 18 – Feb 1 Mar 8 – Mar 22 May 17 – Jun 10 75d
Roselle (Cranberry Hibiscus) Mar 22 – Jun 20 Mar 22 – Apr 5 Jun 30 – Nov 17 125d
Rutabaga Feb 15 – Mar 15 May 16 – Jun 23 95d
Scallion (Bunching Onion) Feb 1 – Mar 29 Apr 2 – Jun 7 65d
Scarlet Runner Bean Mar 8 – Sep 8 May 7 – Nov 17 65d
Serrano Pepper Jan 4 – Jan 18 Mar 15 – Mar 29 May 29 – Jun 17 78d
Shallot Feb 1 – Feb 15 May 2 – May 26 95d
Shishito Pepper Jan 4 – Jan 18 Mar 15 – Mar 29 May 9 – Jun 2 60d
Snow Pea Jan 18 – Feb 15 Mar 19 – Apr 26 65d
Spaghetti Squash Feb 8 – Feb 15 Mar 15 – Jul 30 Mar 15 – Mar 29 May 29 – Nov 17 93d
Spinach Jan 18 – Mar 1 Feb 22 – Apr 15 40d
Sugar Snap Pea Jan 18 – Feb 15 Mar 14 – Apr 21 60d
Sweet Corn Mar 8 – Aug 19 May 12 – Nov 17 78d
Sweet Potato Mar 15 – Apr 12 Jun 13 – Aug 10 105d
Swiss Chard Feb 15 – Mar 29 Apr 6 – May 28 55d
Tomatillo Jan 18 – Feb 1 Mar 8 – Mar 22 May 22 – Jun 30 88d
Tomato Jan 18 – Feb 1 Mar 8 – Mar 22 May 7 – Jun 15 73d
Turnip Feb 1 – Mar 15 Mar 13 – May 14 50d
Winter Squash Mar 15 – Jul 30 Jun 13 – Nov 17 100d
Yellow Summer Squash Feb 8 – Feb 15 Mar 15 – Sep 23 Mar 15 – Mar 29 Apr 29 – Nov 17 50d
Zucchini Feb 8 – Feb 15 Mar 15 – Sep 23 Mar 15 – Mar 29 Apr 29 – Nov 17 50d

Herbs 22

Herb planting and harvest windows for USDA zone 8b
CropStart indoorsSow outdoors TransplantHarvestMaturity JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Anise Hyssop Mar 1 – Mar 29 1.5 yr
Basil Jan 18 – Feb 1 Mar 15 – Sep 8 Mar 15 – Mar 29 May 4 – Nov 17 60d
Chervil Feb 15 – Mar 15 Apr 1 – May 14 53d
Chives Feb 1 – Mar 1 Feb 15 – Mar 15 75d
Cilantro Feb 15 – Mar 15 Mar 27 – May 9 48d
Dill Feb 15 – Mar 29 Mar 27 – May 23 48d
Fennel Mar 1 – Aug 19 May 5 – Nov 17 78d
French Tarragon Mar 1 – Mar 29 85d
German Chamomile Feb 15 – Mar 15 Apr 16 – May 19 63d
Ginger Mar 29 – Apr 26 270d
Lemon Balm Mar 1 – Mar 29 80d
Lemongrass Mar 1 – Mar 29 105d
Mint Mar 1 – Mar 29 75d
Oregano Mar 1 – Mar 29 85d
Parsley Dec 21 – Jan 4 Feb 15 – Mar 15 Apr 26 – Jun 13 80d
Purslane Mar 8 – Sep 18 Apr 22 – Nov 17 53d
Rosemary Mar 1 – Mar 29 273d
Sage Mar 1 – Mar 29 83d
Shiso (Japanese Basil) Jan 18 – Feb 1 Mar 8 – Aug 24 Mar 8 – Mar 22 May 17 – Nov 17 78d
Summer Savory Jan 18 – Feb 1 Mar 15 – Sep 8 Mar 15 – Mar 29 May 14 – Nov 17 65d
Thai Basil Jan 18 – Feb 1 Mar 15 – Sep 3 Mar 15 – Mar 29 May 14 – Nov 17 68d
Thyme Mar 1 – Mar 29 135d

Fruits 25

Fruit planting and harvest windows for USDA zone 8b
CropStart indoorsSow outdoors TransplantHarvestMaturity JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Almond Feb 15 – Mar 29 3.5 yr
Apple Feb 1 – Mar 15 3.5 yr
Black Walnut Feb 15 – Mar 29 4.5 yr
Blackberry Feb 1 – Mar 1 1.2 yr
Blueberry Feb 15 – Mar 29 2.5 yr
Cantaloupe Feb 8 – Feb 15 Mar 15 – Aug 19 Mar 15 – Mar 29 May 24 – Nov 17 80d
Elderberry Feb 15 – Mar 29 2.5 yr
English (Persian) Walnut Feb 15 – Mar 29 4.5 yr
Fig Mar 1 – Mar 29 1.5 yr
Grape Feb 15 – Mar 15 2.5 yr
Ground Cherry Jan 18 – Feb 1 Mar 8 – Mar 22 May 12 – Jun 5 70d
Honeydew Melon Feb 8 – Feb 15 Mar 15 – Aug 9 Mar 15 – Mar 29 Jun 3 – Nov 17 90d
Kumquat Mar 15 – Apr 12 2.5 yr
Mandarin Orange (Satsuma) Mar 15 – Apr 12 2.5 yr
Olive Mar 1 – Mar 29 3.5 yr
Peach Feb 1 – Mar 15 2.5 yr
Pear Feb 1 – Mar 15 3.5 yr
Pecan Feb 15 – Mar 29 4.5 yr
Plum Feb 1 – Mar 15 3.5 yr
Pomegranate Mar 1 – Mar 29 3.5 yr
Raspberry Feb 1 – Mar 1 1.2 yr
Red Mulberry Feb 1 – Mar 15 3.5 yr
Strawberry Feb 1 – Mar 1 243d
Sweet Cherry Feb 1 – Mar 15 3.5 yr
Watermelon Feb 8 – Feb 15 Mar 15 – Aug 14 Mar 15 – Mar 29 May 29 – Nov 17 85d

Flowers 65

Flower planting and harvest windows for USDA zone 8b
CropStart indoorsSow outdoors TransplantHarvestMaturity JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Ageratum (Floss Flower) Jan 4 – Jan 18 Mar 8 – Mar 22 May 7 – Jun 15 73d
American Wisteria Feb 15 – Mar 29 3.5 yr
Angelonia (Summer Snapdragon) Jan 4 – Jan 18 Mar 8 – Mar 22 May 7 – Jun 20 75d
Bachelor's Button (Cornflower) Feb 1 – Mar 15 Apr 7 – May 24 68d
Bee Balm Mar 1 – Mar 29 1.5 yr
Bigleaf Hydrangea (Mophead) Feb 15 – Mar 29 2.5 yr
Black-Eyed Susan Mar 1 – Jul 20 Mar 1 – Mar 29 110d
Borage Mar 1 – Sep 8 Apr 25 – Nov 17 63d
Bottlebrush Mar 1 – Mar 29 2.5 yr
Butterfly Milkweed Mar 1 – Mar 29 1.5 yr
Calendula Feb 15 – Mar 15 Apr 1 – May 14 53d
Carolina Jessamine Mar 1 – Mar 29 2.5 yr
Cat’s Claw Vine Mar 1 – Mar 29 2.5 yr
Celosia (Cockscomb) Jan 18 – Feb 1 Mar 8 – Aug 14 Mar 8 – Mar 22 May 22 – Nov 17 85d
Chocolate Vine (Akebia) Mar 1 – Mar 29 2.5 yr
Cleome (Spider Flower) Mar 8 – Sep 3 May 2 – Nov 17 65d
Climbing Rose Mar 1 – Mar 29 2.5 yr
Coleus Jan 4 – Jan 18 Mar 8 – Mar 22 May 7 – Jun 20 75d
Coral Honeysuckle Feb 15 – Mar 29 2.5 yr
Coreopsis (Tickseed) Mar 1 – Mar 29 1.5 yr
Cosmos Mar 8 – Aug 19 May 7 – Nov 17 75d
Craspedia (Billy Buttons) Dec 21 – Jan 4 Mar 8 – Mar 22 Jun 6 – Jul 20 105d
Dahlia Mar 8 – Mar 22 Jun 6 – Jul 20 105d
English Ivy Mar 1 – Mar 29 2.5 yr
French Marigold Jan 25 – Feb 8 Mar 8 – Sep 18 Mar 8 – Mar 22 Apr 22 – Nov 17 53d
Gaillardia (Blanket Flower) Mar 1 – Mar 29 1.5 yr
Garden Geranium (Zonal) Dec 21 – Jan 4 Mar 8 – Mar 22 May 17 – Jun 20 80d
Garden Rose (Shrub) Mar 1 – Mar 29 1.5 yr
Garden Verbena Jan 4 – Jan 18 Mar 8 – Aug 19 Mar 8 – Mar 22 May 17 – Nov 17 80d
Gomphrena (Globe Amaranth) Jan 18 – Feb 1 Mar 8 – Aug 9 Mar 8 – Mar 22 Jun 1 – Nov 17 93d
Gregg’s Mistflower Mar 1 – Mar 29 1.5 yr
Hardy Hibiscus Mar 1 – Mar 29 1.5 yr
Hearts & Flowers (Heartleaf Iceplant) Mar 8 – Mar 29 75d
Hosta Feb 15 – Mar 29 1.5 yr
Lantana Jan 4 – Jan 18 Mar 8 – Mar 22 May 17 – Jun 20 80d
Lavender Mar 1 – Mar 29 1.5 yr
Lisianthus (Prairie Gentian) Dec 7 – Dec 21 Mar 15 – Mar 29 Jun 23 – Jul 27 110d
Lobelia (Edging Lobelia) Dec 21 – Jan 4 Feb 15 – Mar 8 Apr 26 – Jun 1 78d
Morning Glory Feb 8 – Feb 15 Mar 8 – Aug 19 Mar 8 – Mar 22 May 12 – Nov 17 78d
Nasturtium Mar 8 – Sep 13 Apr 27 – Nov 17 58d
Ornamental Allium Oct 6 – Nov 17 1.5 yr
Ornamental Sweet Potato Vine Mar 15 – Apr 12 May 14 – Jul 11 75d
Osteospermum (African Daisy) Jan 4 – Jan 18 Feb 22 – Mar 15 Apr 23 – Jun 13 75d
Pansy Dec 21 – Jan 4 Feb 1 – Feb 15 Apr 12 – May 16 80d
Passionflower (Maypop) Mar 8 – Mar 29 1.5 yr
Pentas (Egyptian Star Flower) Jan 4 – Jan 18 Mar 8 – Mar 22 May 17 – Jun 20 80d
Petunia Dec 21 – Jan 4 Mar 8 – Mar 22 May 17 – Jun 20 80d
Purple Coneflower Mar 1 – Mar 29 1.5 yr
Queen’s Wreath (Coral Vine) Mar 15 – Mar 29 1.5 yr
Salvia Mar 8 – Mar 22 110d
Scabiosa (Pincushion Flower) Mar 1 – Mar 29 1.5 yr
Sedum ('Autumn Joy'-type) Mar 1 – Mar 29 1.5 yr
Shasta Daisy Mar 1 – Mar 29 1.5 yr
Snapdragon Jan 4 – Jan 18 Feb 15 – Mar 1 May 6 – Jun 9 90d
Star Jasmine (Confederate Jasmine) Mar 1 – Mar 29 2.5 yr
Statice Jan 4 – Jan 18 Mar 1 – Mar 15 May 30 – Jul 3 100d
Stock Dec 21 – Jan 4 Jan 18 – Feb 15 Feb 1 – Feb 15 Mar 29 – May 26 85d
Sunflower Mar 8 – Aug 9 May 17 – Nov 17 85d
Sweet Alyssum Feb 15 – Mar 15 Mar 1 – Mar 15 Apr 6 – May 14 55d
Sweet Pea Jan 4 – Jan 18 Jan 18 – Feb 15 Feb 1 – Feb 15 Apr 3 – May 26 88d
Trumpet Vine (Trumpet Creeper) Feb 15 – Mar 29 2.5 yr
Vinca (Madagascar Periwinkle) Feb 1 – Feb 15 Mar 8 – Sep 3 Mar 8 – Mar 22 May 7 – Nov 17 68d
Viola (Johnny-Jump-Up) Dec 21 – Jan 4 Jan 4 – Feb 1 Jan 18 – Feb 15 Mar 5 – May 16 75d
Yarrow Mar 1 – Mar 29 135d
Zinnia Feb 1 – Feb 15 Mar 8 – Sep 3 Mar 8 – Mar 22 May 7 – Nov 17 68d
Local pages

Cities in zone 8b

15

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