USDA Zone 8b planting calendar
In USDA Zone 8b, the average last spring frost is around 03/16 and the first fall frost around 11/15, giving roughly a 245-day growing season. Plant cool-season crops from late winter; warm-season crops after the last frost.
Last frost ~03/16
First frost ~11/15
~245-day season
115 NOAA stations
The year in Zone 8b
Jan14 tasksFeb27 tasksMar32 tasksApr12 tasksMay—Jun1 taskJul2 tasksAug9 tasksSep4 tasksOct1 taskNov1 taskDec1 task
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
Carrots
Sow for fall harvest
Peas
Sow for fall harvest
Collards
Sow for fall harvest
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 |
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.