SproutGuide Almanac · updated weekly

SproutGuide

What to plant this week in Zone 9a

Week of 2026-W31

With average last frost dates around Feb 6, Zone 9a is well into its warm growing season, making it the perfect time to sow heat-loving crops like Okra and Watermelon. Many of your current plantings are ready for harvest soon, so keep an eye on Bush Beans and Cucumber vines in the garden.

The next 7 days

Sample: Charleston, SC
Today
7/28
93° 78° 💧10%
Wed
7/29
97° 79° 💧16%
Thu
7/30
96° 76° 💧10%
Fri
7/31
90° 76°
Sat
8/1
90° 78° 💧16%
Sun
8/2
89° 77° 💧61%
Mon
8/3
84° 77° 💧61%
Avg high 91°F Rain total 1.4" Humidity 72% Wind 8.5 mph 🔥 Heat wave 2 days
In the ground

Sow this week

34 crops
  • Basil
  • Black-Eyed Susan
  • Borage
  • Bush Bean
  • Cantaloupe
  • Cleome (Spider Flower)
  • Cosmos
  • Cowpea (Black-Eyed Pea)
  • Cucumber
  • Edamame
  • Fennel
  • Flour Corn
  • French Marigold
  • Garden Verbena
  • Gourd (Ornamental/Bottle)
  • Honeydew Melon
  • Lima Bean
  • Malabar Spinach
  • Nasturtium
  • Okra
  • Pole Bean
  • Pumpkin
  • 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

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 now for a continuous summer supply.
  • Mulch around newly transplanted Warm-Season crops like Zucchini to retain moisture and suppress weeds.
  • Pinch back the tips of young Sunflowers to encourage bushier growth before they start flowering.
  • Prepare soil beds with compost if you plan to sow Pumpkin or Winter Squash soon.
Keep watch

Pest & disease watch

  • Watch for aphids clustering on the new growth of Fennel and Sweet Corn.
  • Inspect Okra and Tomato neighbors (if grown) for early signs of spider mites in this warm weather.
  • Check for powdery mildew developing on the leaves of Zinnia and Garden Verbena.
Water

Watering this week

Water deeply in the early morning to minimize evaporation, especially as temperatures rise past 85°F.

One more thing

Harvest Basil regularly by snipping leafy stems from the top to keep the plant producing new growth all summer long.

All year

Zone 9a planting calendar

150 crops

Average planting and harvest windows for everything that grows in zone 9a — 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 68

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

Herbs 20

CropStart indoorsSow outdoors TransplantHarvestMaturity JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Basil Dec 26 – Jan 9 Feb 20 – Sep 22 Feb 20 – Mar 6 Apr 11 – Dec 1 60d
Chervil — Jan 23 – Feb 20 — Mar 9 – Apr 21 53d
Chives — Jan 9 – Feb 6 Jan 23 – Feb 20 — 75d
Cilantro — Jan 23 – Feb 20 — Mar 4 – Apr 16 48d
Dill — Jan 23 – Mar 6 — Mar 4 – Apr 30 48d
Fennel — Feb 6 – Sep 2 — Apr 12 – Dec 1 78d
German Chamomile — Jan 23 – Feb 20 — Mar 24 – Apr 26 63d
Ginger — — Mar 6 – Apr 3 — 270d
Lemon Balm — — Feb 6 – Mar 6 — 80d
Lemongrass — — Feb 6 – Mar 6 — 105d
Mint — — Feb 6 – Mar 6 — 75d
Oregano — — Feb 6 – Mar 6 — 85d
Parsley Nov 28 – Dec 12 — Jan 23 – Feb 20 Apr 3 – May 21 80d
Rosemary — — Feb 6 – Mar 6 — 273d
Sage — — Feb 6 – Mar 6 — 83d
Shiso (Japanese Basil) Dec 26 – Jan 9 Feb 13 – Sep 7 Feb 13 – Feb 27 Apr 24 – Dec 1 78d
Summer Savory Dec 26 – Jan 9 Feb 20 – Sep 22 Feb 20 – Mar 6 Apr 21 – Dec 1 65d
Sweet Marjoram — — Feb 6 – Mar 6 — 75d
Thai Basil Dec 26 – Jan 9 Feb 20 – Sep 17 Feb 20 – Mar 6 Apr 21 – Dec 1 68d
Thyme — — Feb 6 – Mar 6 — 135d

Fruits 31

CropStart indoorsSow outdoors TransplantHarvestMaturity JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Almond — — Jan 23 – Mar 6 — 3.5 yr
Avocado — — Feb 20 – Mar 20 — 4.0 yr
Banana — — Feb 20 – Mar 20 — 360d
Black Walnut — — Jan 23 – Mar 6 — 4.5 yr
Blackberry — — Jan 9 – Feb 6 — 1.2 yr
Blood Orange — — Feb 20 – Mar 20 — 2.5 yr
Blueberry — — Jan 23 – Mar 6 — 2.5 yr
Cantaloupe Jan 16 – Jan 23 Feb 20 – Sep 2 Feb 20 – Mar 6 May 1 – Dec 1 80d
Elderberry — — Jan 23 – Mar 6 — 2.5 yr
English (Persian) Walnut — — Jan 23 – Mar 6 — 4.5 yr
Fig — — Feb 6 – Mar 6 — 1.5 yr
Grape — — Jan 23 – Feb 20 — 2.5 yr
Grapefruit — — Feb 20 – Mar 20 — 2.5 yr
Ground Cherry Dec 26 – Jan 9 — Feb 13 – Feb 27 Apr 19 – May 13 70d
Guava — — Feb 20 – Mar 20 — 2.5 yr
Honeydew Melon Jan 16 – Jan 23 Feb 20 – Aug 23 Feb 20 – Mar 6 May 11 – Dec 1 90d
Kumquat — — Feb 20 – Mar 20 — 2.5 yr
Mandarin Orange (Satsuma) — — Feb 20 – Mar 20 — 2.5 yr
Meyer Lemon — — Feb 20 – Mar 20 — 2.5 yr
Navel Orange — — Feb 20 – Mar 20 — 2.5 yr
Olive — — Feb 6 – Mar 6 — 3.5 yr
Peach — — Jan 9 – Feb 20 — 2.5 yr
Pecan — — Jan 23 – Mar 6 — 4.5 yr
Persian (Tahiti) Lime — — Feb 20 – Mar 20 — 2.5 yr
Plum — — Jan 9 – Feb 20 — 3.5 yr
Pomegranate — — Feb 6 – Mar 6 — 3.5 yr
Raspberry — — Jan 9 – Feb 6 — 1.2 yr
Strawberry — — Jan 9 – Feb 6 — 243d
Sweet Cherry — — Jan 9 – Feb 20 — 3.5 yr
Valencia Orange — — Feb 20 – Mar 20 — 2.5 yr
Watermelon Jan 16 – Jan 23 Feb 20 – Aug 28 Feb 20 – Mar 6 May 6 – Dec 1 85d

Flowers 31

CropStart indoorsSow outdoors TransplantHarvestMaturity JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Bachelor's Button (Cornflower) — Jan 9 – Feb 20 — Mar 15 – May 1 68d
Bee Balm — — Feb 6 – Mar 6 — 1.5 yr
Black-Eyed Susan — Feb 6 – Aug 3 Feb 6 – Mar 6 — 110d
Borage — Feb 6 – Sep 22 — Apr 2 – Dec 1 63d
Butterfly Milkweed — — Feb 6 – Mar 6 — 1.5 yr
Calendula — Jan 23 – Feb 20 — Mar 9 – Apr 21 53d
Cleome (Spider Flower) — Feb 13 – Sep 17 — Apr 9 – Dec 1 65d
Cosmos — Feb 13 – Sep 2 — Apr 14 – Dec 1 75d
Dahlia — — Feb 13 – Feb 27 May 14 – Jun 27 105d
French Marigold Jan 2 – Jan 16 Feb 13 – Oct 2 Feb 13 – Feb 27 Mar 30 – Dec 1 53d
Garden Geranium (Zonal) Nov 28 – Dec 12 — Feb 13 – Feb 27 Apr 24 – May 28 80d
Garden Rose (Shrub) — — Feb 6 – Mar 6 — 1.5 yr
Garden Verbena Dec 12 – Dec 26 Feb 13 – Sep 2 Feb 13 – Feb 27 Apr 24 – Dec 1 80d
Hardy Hibiscus — — Feb 6 – Mar 6 — 1.5 yr
Hearts & Flowers (Heartleaf Iceplant) — — Feb 13 – Mar 6 — 75d
Lantana Dec 12 – Dec 26 — Feb 13 – Feb 27 Apr 24 – May 28 80d
Lavender — — Feb 6 – Mar 6 — 1.5 yr
Lisianthus (Prairie Gentian) Nov 14 – Nov 28 — Feb 20 – Mar 6 May 31 – Jul 4 110d
Nasturtium — Feb 13 – Sep 27 — Apr 4 – Dec 1 58d
Ornamental Sweet Potato Vine — — Feb 20 – Mar 20 Apr 21 – Jun 18 75d
Pansy Nov 28 – Dec 12 — Jan 9 – Jan 23 Mar 20 – Apr 23 80d
Petunia Nov 28 – Dec 12 — Feb 13 – Feb 27 Apr 24 – May 28 80d
Purple Coneflower — — Feb 6 – Mar 6 — 1.5 yr
Salvia — — Feb 13 – Feb 27 — 110d
Sedum ('Autumn Joy'-type) — — Feb 6 – Mar 6 — 1.5 yr
Snapdragon Dec 12 – Dec 26 — Jan 23 – Feb 6 Apr 13 – May 17 90d
Sunflower — Feb 13 – Aug 23 — Apr 24 – Dec 1 85d
Sweet Alyssum — Jan 23 – Feb 20 Feb 6 – Feb 20 Mar 14 – Apr 21 55d
Vinca (Madagascar Periwinkle) Jan 9 – Jan 23 Feb 13 – Sep 17 Feb 13 – Feb 27 Apr 14 – Dec 1 68d
Yarrow — — Feb 6 – Mar 6 — 135d
Zinnia Jan 9 – Jan 23 Feb 13 – Sep 17 Feb 13 – Feb 27 Apr 14 – Dec 1 68d
Local pages

Cities in zone 9a

10

Charleston, SC · Tallahassee, FL · Mobile, AL · Baton Rouge, LA · Savannah, GA · San Antonio, TX · Austin, TX · Seattle, WA · Vancouver, BC · Victoria, BC

Plan your own zone 9a garden in SproutGuide →