Zone 8a planting calendar
Warm, long season; many crops can overwinter with light protection.
Coldest temps10 to 15°F
Avg. last spring frostMar 22
Avg. first fall frostNov 18
Open the interactive calendar for Zone 8a →
What to plant in Zone 8a
| Crop | When to plant |
|---|---|
| Tomato | Start seeds indoors Feb 1–Feb 15 Transplant outdoors Mar 29–Apr 5 |
| Pepper | Start seeds indoors Jan 18–Feb 1 Transplant outdoors Apr 5–Apr 12 |
| Lettuce | Direct sow outdoors Feb 22–Mar 22 Direct sow outdoors Sep 23–Oct 7 |
| Carrot | Direct sow outdoors Mar 1–Apr 5 Direct sow outdoors Sep 9–Sep 23 |
| Bush Bean | Direct sow outdoors Mar 22–Apr 19 |
| Cucumber | Start seeds indoors Mar 1–Mar 8 Transplant outdoors Mar 29–Apr 5 Direct sow outdoors Mar 29–Apr 12 |
| Zucchini | Direct sow outdoors Mar 22–Apr 12 |
| Spinach | Direct sow outdoors Feb 8–Mar 8 Direct sow outdoors Sep 23–Oct 14 |
| Kale | Start seeds indoors Feb 8–Feb 22 Transplant outdoors Mar 8–Mar 22 Direct sow outdoors Mar 8–Apr 5 Direct sow outdoors Aug 26–Sep 23 |
| Pea | Direct sow outdoors Feb 8–Mar 1 |
| Basil | Start seeds indoors Feb 8–Feb 22 Transplant outdoors Mar 29–Apr 12 |
| Cilantro | Direct sow outdoors Mar 1–Mar 29 Direct sow outdoors Sep 23–Oct 14 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors Feb 1–Feb 15 Transplant outdoors Mar 8–Mar 22 Direct sow outdoors Aug 12–Sep 2 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors Jan 25–Feb 8 Transplant outdoors Mar 8–Mar 22 |
| Cauliflower | Start seeds indoors Feb 1–Feb 15 Transplant outdoors Mar 8–Mar 22 |
| Brussels Sprouts | Start seeds indoors Feb 8–Feb 22 Transplant outdoors Mar 15–Mar 29 |
| Onion | Start seeds indoors Jan 11–Jan 25 Transplant outdoors Feb 22–Mar 8 |
| Garlic | Direct sow outdoors Oct 21–Nov 4 |
| Beet | Direct sow outdoors Feb 22–Mar 22 Direct sow outdoors Sep 9–Sep 23 |
| Radish | Direct sow outdoors Feb 22–Apr 5 Direct sow outdoors Sep 23–Oct 21 |
| Swiss Chard | Direct sow outdoors Mar 8–Apr 5 |
| Potato | Direct sow outdoors Mar 8–Apr 5 |
| Sweet Corn | Direct sow outdoors Mar 22–Apr 12 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors Jan 25–Feb 8 Transplant outdoors Apr 5–Apr 12 |
| Pumpkin | Direct sow outdoors Mar 22–Apr 12 |
| Winter Squash | Direct sow outdoors Mar 22–Apr 12 |
| Parsley | Start seeds indoors Jan 25–Feb 8 Transplant outdoors Mar 8–Mar 22 Direct sow outdoors Mar 8–Apr 5 |
| Dill | Direct sow outdoors Mar 8–Apr 5 Direct sow outdoors Sep 23–Oct 7 |
| Chives | Start seeds indoors Jan 25–Feb 8 Transplant outdoors Mar 8–Mar 22 |
| Thyme | Start seeds indoors Jan 25–Feb 8 Transplant outdoors Mar 22–Apr 5 |
| Oregano | Start seeds indoors Jan 25–Feb 8 Transplant outdoors Mar 22–Apr 5 |
| Sage | Start seeds indoors Jan 25–Feb 8 Transplant outdoors Mar 22–Apr 5 |
| Rosemary | Start seeds indoors Jan 11–Jan 25 Transplant outdoors Apr 5–Apr 19 |
| Mint | Transplant outdoors Mar 22–Apr 5 |
| Strawberry | Transplant outdoors Feb 22–Mar 8 |
| Watermelon | Start seeds indoors Feb 22–Mar 8 Transplant outdoors Apr 5–Apr 12 Direct sow outdoors Mar 29–Apr 12 |
| Cantaloupe | Start seeds indoors Feb 22–Mar 8 Transplant outdoors Apr 5–Apr 12 Direct sow outdoors Mar 29–Apr 12 |
| Ground Cherry | Start seeds indoors Feb 1–Feb 15 Transplant outdoors Mar 29–Apr 5 |
| Blueberry | Transplant outdoors Feb 22–Mar 8 |
| Raspberry | Transplant outdoors Feb 15–Mar 1 |
| Marigold | Start seeds indoors Feb 8–Feb 22 Transplant outdoors Mar 29–Apr 5 Direct sow outdoors Mar 22–Apr 5 |
| Zinnia | Start seeds indoors Feb 22–Mar 8 Transplant outdoors Mar 29–Apr 5 Direct sow outdoors Mar 22–Apr 5 |
| Sunflower | Direct sow outdoors Mar 22–Apr 12 |
| Cosmos | Direct sow outdoors Mar 22–Apr 5 |
| Nasturtium | Direct sow outdoors Mar 22–Apr 5 |
| Sweet Pea | Direct sow outdoors Feb 8–Mar 1 |
| Snapdragon | Start seeds indoors Jan 25–Feb 8 Transplant outdoors Mar 8–Mar 22 |
| Pansy | Start seeds indoors Jan 11–Jan 25 Transplant outdoors Feb 22–Mar 8 |
| Dahlia | Start seeds indoors Feb 22–Mar 8 Transplant outdoors Mar 29–Apr 5 |
| Calendula | Direct sow outdoors Mar 8–Apr 5 Direct sow outdoors Sep 23–Oct 7 |