Zone 8a planting calendar

In USDA hardiness zone 8a, the average last spring frost is around March 20 and the average first fall frost around November 12: a growing season of about 237 days. Here is when to start seeds, plant, and harvest 157 vegetables, fruits, herbs, and flowers.

Zones measure winter cold, not frost dates, so these are regional averages. Frost-tender crops wait until about April 3, when a late frost is unlikely.

Get exact dates for your ZIP code

Vegetables

CropStart indoorsPlant outsideHarvestPlant for fall
Amaranth (greens)—Apr 3 – Apr 17May 18 – Jul 27—
ArtichokeJan 2Mar 13 – Mar 27Jul 1 – Aug 26—
Arugula—Feb 20 – Mar 6Mar 27 – May 1Sep 24 – Oct 8
Asparagus—Feb 20 – Mar 6Mar 6 – May 1 (once established)—
Beet—Feb 27 – Mar 13Apr 23 – Jun 4Sep 11 – Sep 25
Bok choy—Feb 27 – Mar 13Apr 13 – May 11Sep 14 – Sep 28
BroccoliJan 16Feb 27 – Mar 13Apr 28 – Jun 2Sep 6 – Sep 20
Broccoli raab (rapini)—Feb 20 – Mar 6Apr 6 – May 4Sep 14 – Sep 28
Brussels sproutsJan 23Mar 6 – Mar 20Jun 14 – Aug 9—
CabbageJan 9Feb 20 – Mar 6May 1 – Jun 5Sep 3 – Sep 17
Carrot—Feb 27 – Mar 13May 8 – Jun 19Sep 3 – Sep 17
CauliflowerJan 23Mar 6 – Mar 20May 10 – Jun 7Aug 25 – Sep 8
CeleriacJan 16Mar 27 – Apr 10Jul 15 – Aug 26—
CeleryJan 16Mar 27 – Apr 10Jul 5 – Aug 30—
Cherry tomatoFeb 13Apr 3 – Apr 17Jun 2 – Sep 8—
Collard greensJan 9Feb 20 – Mar 6Apr 21 – Jul 28Sep 27 – Oct 11
CucamelonFeb 20Apr 3 – Apr 17Jun 12 – Sep 4—
Cucumber—Apr 3 – Apr 17May 28 – Jul 16—
Daikon radish—Feb 27 – Mar 13Apr 28 – Jun 2Sep 6 – Sep 20
Dry beans—Apr 3 – Apr 17Jul 7 – Aug 11—
Edamame—Apr 3 – Apr 17Jun 27 – Jul 25—
EggplantFeb 6Apr 10 – Apr 24Jun 24 – Sep 2—
Endive / escarole—Mar 6 – Mar 20May 30 – Jul 4Aug 12 – Aug 26
Fava beans—Feb 6 – Feb 20May 2 – Jun 6—
Garlic—Nov 5 – Nov 26 (fall)May 25 – Jun 15 next year—
Green beans (bush)—Apr 3 – Apr 17May 28 – Jul 9—
Horseradish—Feb 27 – Mar 13Nov 12 – Dec 24—
Hot pepperJan 30Apr 3 – Apr 17Jun 12 – Sep 4—
KaleJan 9Feb 20 – Mar 6Apr 16 – Jul 9Oct 2 – Oct 16
Kohlrabi—Feb 20 – Mar 6Apr 11 – May 9Sep 9 – Sep 23
LeeksDec 26Mar 6 – Mar 20Jun 24 – Sep 2—
Lettuce—Feb 20 – Mar 6Apr 6 – May 18Sep 14 – Sep 28
Lima beans—Apr 3 – Apr 17Jun 22 – Aug 3—
Mâche (corn salad)—Feb 6 – Feb 20Mar 28 – May 9Oct 21 – Nov 4
Malabar spinachFeb 20Apr 3 – Apr 17Jun 12 – Sep 4—
Mizuna—Feb 20 – Mar 6Apr 1 – May 13Sep 26 – Oct 10
Mustard greens—Feb 20 – Mar 6Apr 1 – May 13Sep 26 – Oct 10
Napa cabbageJan 30Mar 6 – Mar 20May 15 – Jun 12Aug 20 – Sep 3
Okra—Apr 10 – Apr 24Jun 9 – Sep 1—
Onion (sets)—Feb 13 – Feb 27May 24 – Jun 28—
Onion (transplants)Dec 12Feb 20 – Mar 6May 31 – Jul 5—
Parsnip—Mar 6 – Mar 20Jul 4 – Aug 29—
Peanuts—Apr 3 – Apr 17Aug 1 – Aug 29—
Peas—Feb 6 – Feb 20Apr 7 – May 12Aug 23 – Sep 6
PepperJan 30Apr 3 – Apr 17Jun 17 – Sep 9—
Pole beans—Apr 3 – Apr 17Jun 7 – Aug 16—
Popcorn—Apr 3 – Apr 17Jul 12 – Aug 9—
Potato—Feb 27 – Mar 13May 28 – Jul 2—
Pumpkin—Apr 3 – Apr 17Jul 17 – Aug 21—
RadicchioJan 30Mar 6 – Mar 20May 25 – Jun 29Aug 17 – Aug 31
Radish—Feb 13 – Feb 27Mar 10 – Apr 7Oct 4 – Oct 18
Rhubarb—Feb 20 – Mar 6Mar 20 – May 29 (once established)—
Rutabaga—Mar 6 – Mar 20Jun 4 – Jul 16Aug 14 – Aug 28
Scallions—Feb 20 – Mar 6Apr 21 – Jun 30Sep 6 – Sep 20
Shallots—Feb 20 – Mar 6May 31 – Jul 5—
Snap peas—Feb 6 – Feb 20Apr 12 – May 17Aug 18 – Sep 1
Sorrel—Feb 20 – Mar 6Apr 21 – Sep 22—
Southern peas (cowpeas)—Apr 10 – Apr 24Jun 19 – Jul 31—
Spinach—Feb 6 – Feb 20Mar 18 – Apr 29Oct 3 – Oct 17
Sunchoke (Jerusalem artichoke)—Mar 6 – Mar 20Nov 12 – Jan 21—
Sweet corn—Apr 3 – Apr 17Jun 17 – Jul 15—
Sweet potatoFeb 27Apr 10 – Apr 24Jul 19 – Aug 16—
Swiss chard—Mar 6 – Mar 20Apr 30 – Aug 20Sep 11 – Sep 25
Tatsoi—Feb 20 – Mar 6Apr 6 – May 18Sep 28 – Oct 12
TomatilloFeb 13Apr 3 – Apr 17Jun 17 – Aug 26—
TomatoFeb 13Apr 3 – Apr 17Jun 12 – Sep 4—
Turnip—Feb 20 – Mar 6Apr 11 – May 16Sep 16 – Sep 30
Winter squash—Apr 3 – Apr 17Jul 7 – Aug 11—
Zucchini / Summer squash—Apr 3 – Apr 17May 23 – Aug 1—

Fruit

CropStart indoorsPlant outsideHarvestPlant for fall
Apple tree—Feb 27 – Mar 13Sep 3 – Oct 22 (once established)—
Apricot tree—Feb 27 – Mar 13Jun 5 – Jun 26 (once established)—
Blackberry—Feb 27 – Mar 13Jun 5 – Jul 10 (once established)—
Blueberry—Feb 27 – Mar 13May 22 – Jul 3 (once established)—
Cantaloupe—Apr 10 – Apr 24Jun 29 – Aug 3—
Cherry tree (sweet)—Feb 27 – Mar 13May 15 – Jun 5 (once established)—
Currant—Feb 20 – Mar 6May 29 – Jun 26 (once established)—
Elderberry—Feb 27 – Mar 13Jul 3 – Aug 7 (once established)—
Fig—Mar 27 – Apr 10Sep 3 – Oct 29 (once established)—
Gooseberry—Feb 20 – Mar 6May 29 – Jun 26 (once established)—
Grape—Feb 27 – Mar 13Sep 17 – Oct 29 (once established)—
Ground cherryFeb 13Apr 3 – Apr 17Jun 12 – Aug 21—
Honeyberry (haskap)—Feb 20 – Mar 6May 8 – May 29 (once established)—
Honeydew—Apr 10 – Apr 24Jul 14 – Aug 18—
Meyer lemon—Apr 10 – Apr 24Oct 15 – Jan 7 (once established)—
Peach tree—Feb 27 – Mar 13Jun 26 – Aug 7 (once established)—
Pear tree—Feb 27 – Mar 13Aug 20 – Oct 8 (once established)—
Plum tree—Feb 27 – Mar 13Jun 26 – Jul 24 (once established)—
Raspberry (fall-bearing)—Feb 27 – Mar 13Oct 1 – Nov 12—
Raspberry (summer)—Feb 27 – Mar 13May 22 – Jun 26 (once established)—
Strawberry (everbearing)—Feb 27 – Mar 13May 28 – Sep 3—
Strawberry (June-bearing)—Feb 27 – Mar 13Apr 17 – May 15 (once established)—
Watermelon—Apr 10 – Apr 24Jul 4 – Aug 8—

Herbs

CropStart indoorsPlant outsideHarvestPlant for fall
BasilFeb 20Apr 3 – Apr 17May 3 – Aug 9—
Borage—Mar 20 – Apr 3May 14 – Aug 6—
Cannabis auto—Apr 3 – Apr 17Jun 22 – Jul 20Jul 27 – Aug 10
Cannabis regularMar 6Apr 3 – Apr 17Aug 26 – Sep 30—
CatnipJan 23Mar 6 – Mar 20May 5 – Sep 8—
Chamomile—Mar 6 – Mar 20May 5 – Jul 14—
Chervil—Feb 27 – Mar 13Apr 18 – May 30Sep 9 – Sep 23
ChivesJan 2Feb 27 – Mar 13Apr 28 – Sep 29—
Cilantro—Feb 27 – Mar 13Apr 13 – May 18Sep 14 – Sep 28
Dill—Apr 3 – Apr 17May 18 – Jul 13—
Fennel (bulb)—Mar 20 – Apr 3Jun 8 – Jul 13Aug 10 – Aug 24
Garlic chivesJan 9Mar 6 – Mar 20May 25 – Sep 28—
LavenderJan 16Mar 27 – Apr 10Jun 25 – Aug 6—
Lemon balmJan 23Mar 20 – Apr 3May 19 – Sep 22—
Lemongrass—Apr 3 – Apr 17Jul 2 – Sep 10—
LovageJan 9Mar 6 – Mar 20May 25 – Sep 28—
MarjoramJan 30Mar 27 – Apr 10Jun 5 – Sep 11—
Mint—Mar 13 – Mar 27Apr 12 – Sep 13—
OreganoJan 23Mar 20 – Apr 3May 19 – Sep 22—
ParsleyJan 9Mar 6 – Mar 20May 15 – Sep 18—
Rosemary—Mar 27 – Apr 10May 11 – Oct 12—
SageJan 23Mar 20 – Apr 3Jun 3 – Oct 7—
SteviaFeb 6Apr 3 – Apr 17Jul 2 – Sep 10—
Summer savory—Apr 3 – Apr 17Jun 2 – Aug 11—
Tarragon (French)—Mar 27 – Apr 10May 26 – Sep 1—
Thai basilFeb 20Apr 3 – Apr 17Jun 2 – Sep 8—
ThymeJan 23Mar 20 – Apr 3May 29 – Oct 2—

Flowers

CropStart indoorsPlant outsideHarvestPlant for fall
Bachelor's button—Feb 20 – Mar 6Apr 26 – Jul 5—
Begonia—Apr 3 – Apr 17May 18 – Nov 12—
Black-eyed SusanJan 16Mar 13 – Mar 27Jun 11 – Sep 3—
Calendula—Mar 6 – Mar 20Apr 25 – Aug 1Sep 9 – Sep 23
ColeusJan 23Apr 3 – Apr 17May 23 – Nov 12—
Coneflower (echinacea)—Mar 20 – Apr 3Jun 18 – Sep 10—
Cosmos—Apr 3 – Apr 17Jun 17 – Sep 9—
Daffodil—Oct 15 – Nov 19 (fall)Feb 20 – Mar 20 next year—
Dahlia—Apr 3 – Apr 17Jul 12 – Sep 20—
Daylily—Mar 20 – Apr 3May 29 – Jul 24—
Geranium—Apr 3 – Apr 17May 18 – Nov 12—
Gladiolus—Apr 3 – Apr 17Jun 22 – Jul 27—
Hosta—Mar 20 – Apr 3May 29 – Jul 24—
ImpatiensJan 23Apr 3 – Apr 17May 23 – Nov 12—
MarigoldFeb 20Apr 3 – Apr 17May 23 – Sep 12—
Milkweed—Mar 27 – Apr 10Jun 25 – Sep 3—
Nasturtium—Apr 3 – Apr 17May 28 – Sep 3—
Pansy / violaDec 12Feb 20 – Mar 6Apr 6 – Jun 15Sep 14 – Sep 28
Peony—Mar 6 – Mar 20Apr 24 – May 15 (once established)—
PetuniaJan 16Mar 27 – Apr 10May 16 – Nov 19—
Phacelia—Mar 6 – Mar 20Apr 20 – Jun 15—
Rose—Mar 6 – Mar 20May 8 – Aug 21—
Salvia (ornamental)Jan 16Mar 27 – Apr 10Jun 5 – Nov 19—
SnapdragonJan 9Mar 6 – Mar 20May 25 – Aug 17—
StrawflowerFeb 20Apr 3 – Apr 17Jul 2 – Sep 24—
Sunflower—Apr 3 – Apr 17Jun 22 – Jul 27—
Sweet alyssumJan 30Mar 13 – Mar 27May 2 – Sep 5—
Sweet pea (flower)—Feb 6 – Feb 20Apr 22 – Jun 17—
Tulip—Oct 22 – Nov 26 (fall)Mar 13 – Apr 17 next year—
Vinca (periwinkle)Jan 16Apr 10 – Apr 24Jun 9 – Nov 12—
Zinnia—Apr 3 – Apr 17Jun 12 – Sep 4—

Cover crops

CropStart indoorsPlant outsideHarvestPlant for fall
Austrian winter peas—Sep 24 – Oct 15 (fall)Apr 10 – May 8 next year—
Buckwheat—Apr 3 – Apr 17May 8 – Jun 5—
Cereal rye (winter rye)—Oct 8 – Nov 19 (fall)Apr 10 – May 8 next year—
Crimson clover—Feb 20 – Mar 6Apr 21 – May 26Sep 13 – Sep 27
Hairy vetch—Sep 24 – Oct 22 (fall)Apr 24 – May 22 next year—
Oats (cover crop)—Feb 20 – Mar 6Apr 21 – May 26Sep 6 – Sep 20
White clover—Feb 27 – Mar 13May 8 – Jul 17Aug 6 – Aug 20

Frost dates in zone 8a

Average last spring frost
March 20
Safe for frost-tender plants
April 3
Average first fall frost
November 12
Growing season
About 237 days

Your own dates can be a few weeks either side, depending on elevation, nearby water, and whether you're in a city or a low frost pocket.

States with zone 8a

Alabama, Arkansas, Washington, D.C., Georgia, Maryland, Mississippi, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia

Month by month

January · February · March · April · May · June · July · August · September · October · November · December

Other zones

Zone 7b · Zone 8b · All zones and states