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USDA Zone 8a planting calendar

In USDA Zone 8a, the average last spring frost is around 03/26 and the first fall frost around 11/08, giving roughly a 227-day growing season. Plant cool-season crops from late winter; warm-season crops after the last frost.
Last frost ~03/26 First frost ~11/08 ~227-day season 91 NOAA stations

Frost dates are the median across 91 NOAA weather stations in Zone 8a (1991–2020 normals, 50% probability). Range: last frost 03/18–04/05, first frost 10/31–11/18. For your exact town, use the ZIP tool.

The year in Zone 8a

Jan15 tasksFeb23 tasksMar39 tasksApr21 tasksMay—Jun1 taskJul5 tasksAug8 tasksSep3 tasksOct1 taskNov1 taskDec—

What to plant now (August)

Broccoli
Sow for fall harvest
Cauliflower
Sow for fall harvest
Kale
Sow for fall harvest
Lettuce
Sow for fall harvest
Turnips
Sow for fall harvest
Beets
Sow for fall harvest
Peas
Sow for fall harvest
Collards
Sow for fall harvest

All crops in Zone 8a

CropStart indoorsTransplant / sowSow for fall
TomatoesFebruary 23 – March 2March 30 – April 13—
PeppersFebruary 12April 2 – April 16—
EggplantFebruary 16 – March 2April 6 – April 20—
BasilFebruary 23March 30 – April 13—
BroccoliFebruary 5 – February 12February 26 – March 12July 30 – August 13
CabbageJanuary 15 – January 29February 19 – March 5June 20 – July 4
CauliflowerJanuary 29 – February 12March 5 – March 19August 4 – August 18
Brussels SproutsJanuary 22 – February 5February 26 – March 12—
KaleJanuary 15 – January 29February 19 – March 5August 9 – August 23
LettuceJanuary 26 – February 2February 23 – March 9July 25 – August 8
Spinach—February 16 – March 2September 3 – September 17
OnionsDecember 18 – January 1February 19 – March 5—
LeeksDecember 25 – January 8February 26 – March 12—
Swiss ChardJanuary 29 – February 5March 5 – March 19—
Radishes—February 26 – March 12September 18 – October 2
Turnips—February 26 – March 12August 19 – September 2
Beets—March 5 – March 19August 14 – August 28
Carrots—March 19 – April 2July 15 – July 29
Peas—February 12 – February 26August 9 – August 23
Beans—March 26 – April 9—
Sweet Corn—March 26 – April 9—
CucumbersMarch 9 – March 16March 30 – April 13—
Summer Squash & ZucchiniMarch 12 – March 19April 2 – April 16—
Winter SquashMarch 12 – March 19April 2 – April 16—
PumpkinsMarch 12 – March 19April 2 – April 16—
MelonsMarch 12 – March 19April 2 – April 16—
OkraMarch 5 – March 19April 9 – April 23—
Potatoes—March 9 – March 23—
ParsleyDecember 29 – January 5March 2 – March 16—
CollardsJanuary 15 – January 29February 19 – March 5July 25 – August 8
WatermelonMarch 12 – March 19April 2 – April 16—
Sweet Potatoes—March 30 – April 13—
CeleryJanuary 8 – January 22March 26 – April 9—
KohlrabiJanuary 15 – January 29February 19 – March 5—
ArtichokeJanuary 1 – January 29March 19 – April 2—
Asparagus—February 23 – March 9—
Cilantro—March 26 – April 9—
Dill—March 9 – March 23—
OreganoJanuary 22 – February 5March 26 – April 9—
SageFebruary 5 – February 19March 26 – April 9—
ThymeJanuary 22 – February 5March 26 – April 9—

Fall bulb planting in Zone 8a

Planted in fall after the first frost, for harvest the following summer — a separate calendar from the spring/fall-harvest crops above.

CropPlant cloves (fall)Harvest
GarlicNovember 12 – November 26Following summer

Last verified 2026-08-28. Frost: NOAA NCEI 1991–2020 Climate Normals. Zone: USDA 2023 Plant Hardiness Zone Map (PRISM-derived). Planting rules: UNH Extension, Johnny's Selected Seeds, UGA Extension.