Now
27°C · Partly cloudy
Today
29° / 22°
Soil 6 cm
26°C
First frost
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Gardening in Savannah
AI field guide · refreshed weeklySavannah Garden Guide: September 8–14, 2026
Zone 9b with 89 days until first frost (Dec 6). Soil at 26°C is still warm enough for germination, but cooling steadily. You're well past spring frost (Feb 27) and have 193 frost-free days behind you. Heavy rain mid-week will help establishment; plan accordingly.
Sow outdoors now
Spinach (Bloomsdale, Space or Tyee)
Direct seed now; germinates in 7–10 days at 26°C soil. Succession-sow weekly through October for continuous harvest into winter.
Lettuce (Buttercrunch, Jericho, Red Sails)
Cool-season crop thrives as temps drop. Sow in blocks or rows; thin to 15 cm (6 in) spacing. Harvest in 45–60 days.
Kale (Lacinato, Winterbor)
Sow now for fall/winter harvest; flavor improves after light frost. Needs 55–75 days; will produce through December.
Radish (Cherry Belle, Icicle)
Fast crop (25–30 days). Sow in succession every two weeks through November for reliable harvests.
Arugula (Roquette, Astro)
Prefers cool weather; sow now and weekly through October. Peppery leaves ready in 30–40 days.
Start indoors now
Broccoli (Calabrese, Green Goliath)
Start seeds indoors; transplant in 4–5 weeks (mid-October) for November harvest. Needs cool nights to head properly.
Cabbage (Early Jersey Wakefield, Red Acre)
Sow indoors now for transplant by late September. Matures in 60–90 days; plant out before soil cools below 15°C (59°F).
Cauliflower (Snowball, Romanesco)
Start indoors; transplant in 5–6 weeks. Needs consistent moisture and cool fall temps to form tight curds.
Harvest now
Okra (Clemson Spineless, Cajun Delight)
Still productive; pick pods at 7–10 cm (3–4 in) daily to encourage flowering. Frost will end production by late November.
Southern Peas (Black-eyed, Crowder, Purple Hull)
Late pods maturing now. Harvest when pods are full but still tender; dry mature pods for storage.
Sweet Potato (Beauregard, Centennial)
Begin digging before first frost (Dec 6). Cure at 29°C (85°F), 90% humidity for 10 days to harden skin.
Tasks this week
- Mulch beds heavily (7–10 cm / 3–4 in) to retain moisture through mid-week rain and regulate cooling soil.
- Stake or trellis fall tomatoes and peppers; wind gusts to 26 km/h (16 mph) early week will stress tall plants.
- Scout for spider mites and whiteflies on warm days; spray neem oil at dusk if populations spike.
- Deadhead summer annuals (zinnias, marigolds) to extend bloom into October.
- Prepare beds for fall brassicas by working in compost; test soil pH (aim 6.0–7.0 for cabbage family).
Watch out for
- Tropical Storm risk: Heavy rain Wed–Thu (14–34 mm) may waterlog clay soils; ensure drainage ditches are clear.
- Powdery mildew on squash, cucumbers, and herbs as humidity stays high; thin foliage for airflow.
- Armyworms and cutworms active in warm, wet conditions; inspect seedlings and young transplants daily.
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