USDA Zone 8b planting calendar
The year in Zone 8b
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 8b
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant / sow | Sow for fall |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tomatoes | February 13 – February 20 | March 20 – April 3 | — |
| Peppers | February 2 | March 23 – April 6 | — |
| Eggplant | February 6 – February 20 | March 27 – April 10 | — |
| Basil | February 13 | March 20 – April 3 | — |
| Broccoli | January 26 – February 2 | February 16 – March 2 | August 6 – August 20 |
| Cabbage | January 5 – January 19 | February 9 – February 23 | June 27 – July 11 |
| Cauliflower | January 19 – February 2 | February 23 – March 9 | August 11 – August 25 |
| Brussels Sprouts | January 12 – January 26 | February 16 – March 2 | — |
| Kale | January 5 – January 19 | February 9 – February 23 | August 16 – August 30 |
| Lettuce | January 16 – January 23 | February 13 – February 27 | August 1 – August 15 |
| Spinach | — | February 6 – February 20 | September 10 – September 24 |
| Onions | December 8 – December 22 | February 9 – February 23 | — |
| Leeks | December 15 – December 29 | February 16 – March 2 | — |
| Swiss Chard | January 19 – January 26 | February 23 – March 9 | — |
| Radishes | — | February 16 – March 2 | September 25 – October 9 |
| Turnips | — | February 16 – March 2 | August 26 – September 9 |
| Beets | — | February 23 – March 9 | August 21 – September 4 |
| Carrots | — | March 9 – March 23 | July 22 – August 5 |
| Peas | — | February 2 – February 16 | August 16 – August 30 |
| Beans | — | March 16 – March 30 | — |
| Sweet Corn | — | March 16 – March 30 | — |
| Cucumbers | February 27 – March 6 | March 20 – April 3 | — |
| Summer Squash & Zucchini | March 2 – March 9 | March 23 – April 6 | — |
| Winter Squash | March 2 – March 9 | March 23 – April 6 | — |
| Pumpkins | March 2 – March 9 | March 23 – April 6 | — |
| Melons | March 2 – March 9 | March 23 – April 6 | — |
| Okra | February 23 – March 9 | March 30 – April 13 | — |
| Potatoes | — | February 27 – March 13 | — |
| Parsley | December 19 – December 26 | February 20 – March 6 | — |
| Collards | January 5 – January 19 | February 9 – February 23 | August 1 – August 15 |
| Watermelon | March 2 – March 9 | March 23 – April 6 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | March 20 – April 3 | — |
| Celery | December 29 – January 12 | March 16 – March 30 | — |
| Kohlrabi | January 5 – January 19 | February 9 – February 23 | — |
| Artichoke | December 22 – January 19 | March 9 – March 23 | — |
| Asparagus | — | February 13 – February 27 | — |
| Cilantro | — | March 16 – March 30 | — |
| Dill | — | February 27 – March 13 | — |
| Oregano | January 12 – January 26 | March 16 – March 30 | — |
| Sage | January 26 – February 9 | March 16 – March 30 | — |
| Thyme | January 12 – January 26 | March 16 – March 30 | — |
Fall bulb planting in Zone 8b
| Crop | Plant cloves (fall) | Harvest |
|---|---|---|
| Garlic | November 19 – December 3 | 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.