USDA Zone 8a planting calendar
The year in Zone 8a
What to plant now (October)
Choose supplies for your planting plan
Check the crop's sowing method first. Trays and seed-starting mix are for indoor starts; row cover can help protect outdoor seedlings. Reuse supplies you already have, and check product dimensions before ordering.
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Seed-starting traysBurpee SuperSeed 36-cell trayReusable cells that pop seedlings out with the roots intact at transplant time.See it on Amazon- Seed-starting mixEspoma Organic Seed StarterA fine, sterile mix so small seeds can push through and seedlings don't rot.See it on Amazon
- Floating row coverAgribon AG-30 row coverAdds a few degrees of frost protection on cold nights and keeps insects off young plants.See it on Amazon
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All crops in Zone 8a
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant / sow | Sow for fall |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tomatoes | February 23 – March 2 | March 30 – April 13 | — |
| Peppers | February 12 | April 2 – April 16 | — |
| Eggplant | February 16 – March 2 | April 6 – April 20 | — |
| Basil | February 23 | March 30 – April 13 | — |
| Broccoli | February 5 – February 12 | February 26 – March 12 | July 30 – August 13 |
| Cabbage | January 15 – January 29 | February 19 – March 5 | June 20 – July 4 |
| Cauliflower | January 29 – February 12 | March 5 – March 19 | August 4 – August 18 |
| Brussels Sprouts | January 22 – February 5 | February 26 – March 12 | — |
| Kale | January 15 – January 29 | February 19 – March 5 | August 9 – August 23 |
| Lettuce | January 26 – February 2 | February 23 – March 9 | July 25 – August 8 |
| Spinach | — | February 16 – March 2 | September 3 – September 17 |
| Onions | December 18 – January 1 | February 19 – March 5 | — |
| Leeks | December 25 – January 8 | February 26 – March 12 | — |
| Swiss Chard | January 29 – February 5 | March 5 – March 19 | — |
| Radishes | — | February 26 – March 12 | September 18 – October 2 |
| Turnips | — | February 26 – March 12 | August 19 – September 2 |
| Beets | — | March 5 – March 19 | August 14 – August 28 |
| Carrots | — | March 19 – April 2 | July 15 – July 29 |
| Peas | — | February 12 – February 26 | August 9 – August 23 |
| Beans | — | March 26 – April 9 | — |
| Sweet Corn | — | March 26 – April 9 | — |
| Cucumbers | March 9 – March 16 | March 30 – April 13 | — |
| Summer Squash & Zucchini | March 12 – March 19 | April 2 – April 16 | — |
| Winter Squash | March 12 – March 19 | April 2 – April 16 | — |
| Pumpkins | March 12 – March 19 | April 2 – April 16 | — |
| Melons | March 12 – March 19 | April 2 – April 16 | — |
| Okra | March 5 – March 19 | April 9 – April 23 | — |
| Potatoes | — | March 9 – March 23 | — |
| Parsley | December 29 – January 5 | March 2 – March 16 | — |
| Collards | January 15 – January 29 | February 19 – March 5 | July 25 – August 8 |
| Watermelon | March 12 – March 19 | April 2 – April 16 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | March 30 – April 13 | — |
| Celery | January 8 – January 22 | March 26 – April 9 | — |
| Kohlrabi | January 15 – January 29 | February 19 – March 5 | — |
| Artichoke | January 1 – January 29 | March 19 – April 2 | — |
| Asparagus | — | February 23 – March 9 | — |
| Cilantro | — | March 26 – April 9 | — |
| Dill | — | March 9 – March 23 | — |
| Oregano | January 22 – February 5 | March 26 – April 9 | — |
| Sage | February 5 – February 19 | March 26 – April 9 | — |
| Thyme | January 22 – February 5 | March 26 – April 9 | — |
Fall bulb planting in Zone 8a
| Crop | Plant cloves (fall) | Harvest |
|---|---|---|
| Garlic | November 12 – November 26 | Following summer |
Calendar computed 2026-10-01. 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.