Zone 8b planting calendar

In USDA hardiness zone 8b, the average last spring frost is around March 10 and the average first fall frost around November 20: a growing season of about 255 days. Here is when to start seeds, plant, and harvest 157 vegetables, fruits, herbs, and flowers.

Zones measure winter cold, not frost dates, so these are regional averages. Frost-tender crops wait until about March 24, when a late frost is unlikely.

Get exact dates for your ZIP code

Vegetables

CropStart indoorsPlant outsideHarvestPlant for fall
Amaranth (greens)—Mar 24 – Apr 7May 8 – Jul 17—
ArtichokeDec 23Mar 3 – Mar 17Jun 21 – Aug 16—
Arugula—Feb 10 – Feb 24Mar 17 – Apr 21Oct 2 – Oct 16
Asparagus—Feb 10 – Feb 24Feb 24 – Apr 21 (once established)—
Beet—Feb 17 – Mar 3Apr 13 – May 25Sep 19 – Oct 3
Bok choy—Feb 17 – Mar 3Apr 3 – May 1Sep 22 – Oct 6
BroccoliJan 6Feb 17 – Mar 3Apr 18 – May 23Sep 14 – Sep 28
Broccoli raab (rapini)—Feb 10 – Feb 24Mar 27 – Apr 24Sep 22 – Oct 6
Brussels sproutsJan 13Feb 24 – Mar 10Jun 4 – Jul 30—
CabbageDec 30Feb 10 – Feb 24Apr 21 – May 26Sep 11 – Sep 25
Carrot—Feb 17 – Mar 3Apr 28 – Jun 9Sep 11 – Sep 25
CauliflowerJan 13Feb 24 – Mar 10Apr 30 – May 28Sep 2 – Sep 16
CeleriacJan 6Mar 17 – Mar 31Jul 5 – Aug 16—
CeleryJan 6Mar 17 – Mar 31Jun 25 – Aug 20—
Cherry tomatoFeb 3Mar 24 – Apr 7May 23 – Aug 29—
Collard greensDec 30Feb 10 – Feb 24Apr 11 – Jul 18Oct 5 – Oct 19
CucamelonFeb 10Mar 24 – Apr 7Jun 2 – Aug 25—
Cucumber—Mar 24 – Apr 7May 18 – Jul 6—
Daikon radish—Feb 17 – Mar 3Apr 18 – May 23Sep 14 – Sep 28
Dry beans—Mar 24 – Apr 7Jun 27 – Aug 1—
Edamame—Mar 24 – Apr 7Jun 17 – Jul 15—
EggplantJan 27Mar 31 – Apr 14Jun 14 – Aug 23—
Endive / escarole—Feb 24 – Mar 10May 20 – Jun 24Aug 20 – Sep 3
Fava beans—Jan 27 – Feb 10Apr 22 – May 27—
Garlic—Nov 13 – Dec 4 (fall)May 25 – Jun 15 next year—
Green beans (bush)—Mar 24 – Apr 7May 18 – Jun 29—
Horseradish—Feb 17 – Mar 3Nov 20 – Jan 1—
Hot pepperJan 20Mar 24 – Apr 7Jun 2 – Aug 25—
KaleDec 30Feb 10 – Feb 24Apr 6 – Jun 29Oct 10 – Oct 24
Kohlrabi—Feb 10 – Feb 24Apr 1 – Apr 29Sep 17 – Oct 1
LeeksDec 16Feb 24 – Mar 10Jun 14 – Aug 23—
Lettuce—Feb 10 – Feb 24Mar 27 – May 8Sep 22 – Oct 6
Lima beans—Mar 24 – Apr 7Jun 12 – Jul 24—
Mâche (corn salad)—Jan 27 – Feb 10Mar 18 – Apr 29Oct 29 – Nov 12
Malabar spinachFeb 10Mar 24 – Apr 7Jun 2 – Aug 25—
Mizuna—Feb 10 – Feb 24Mar 22 – May 3Oct 4 – Oct 18
Mustard greens—Feb 10 – Feb 24Mar 22 – May 3Oct 4 – Oct 18
Napa cabbageJan 20Feb 24 – Mar 10May 5 – Jun 2Aug 28 – Sep 11
Okra—Mar 31 – Apr 14May 30 – Aug 22—
Onion (sets)—Feb 3 – Feb 17May 14 – Jun 18—
Onion (transplants)Dec 2Feb 10 – Feb 24May 21 – Jun 25—
Parsnip—Feb 24 – Mar 10Jun 24 – Aug 19—
Peanuts—Mar 24 – Apr 7Jul 22 – Aug 19—
Peas—Jan 27 – Feb 10Mar 28 – May 2Aug 31 – Sep 14
PepperJan 20Mar 24 – Apr 7Jun 7 – Aug 30—
Pole beans—Mar 24 – Apr 7May 28 – Aug 6—
Popcorn—Mar 24 – Apr 7Jul 2 – Jul 30—
Potato—Feb 17 – Mar 3May 18 – Jun 22—
Pumpkin—Mar 24 – Apr 7Jul 7 – Aug 11—
RadicchioJan 20Feb 24 – Mar 10May 15 – Jun 19Aug 25 – Sep 8
Radish—Feb 3 – Feb 17Feb 28 – Mar 28Oct 12 – Oct 26
Rhubarb—Feb 10 – Feb 24Mar 10 – May 19 (once established)—
Rutabaga—Feb 24 – Mar 10May 25 – Jul 6Aug 22 – Sep 5
Scallions—Feb 10 – Feb 24Apr 11 – Jun 20Sep 14 – Sep 28
Shallots—Feb 10 – Feb 24May 21 – Jun 25—
Snap peas—Jan 27 – Feb 10Apr 2 – May 7Aug 26 – Sep 9
Sorrel—Feb 10 – Feb 24Apr 11 – Sep 12—
Southern peas (cowpeas)—Mar 31 – Apr 14Jun 9 – Jul 21—
Spinach—Jan 27 – Feb 10Mar 8 – Apr 19Oct 11 – Oct 25
Sunchoke (Jerusalem artichoke)—Feb 24 – Mar 10Nov 20 – Jan 29—
Sweet corn—Mar 24 – Apr 7Jun 7 – Jul 5—
Sweet potatoFeb 17Mar 31 – Apr 14Jul 9 – Aug 6—
Swiss chard—Feb 24 – Mar 10Apr 20 – Aug 10Sep 19 – Oct 3
Tatsoi—Feb 10 – Feb 24Mar 27 – May 8Oct 6 – Oct 20
TomatilloFeb 3Mar 24 – Apr 7Jun 7 – Aug 16—
TomatoFeb 3Mar 24 – Apr 7Jun 2 – Aug 25—
Turnip—Feb 10 – Feb 24Apr 1 – May 6Sep 24 – Oct 8
Winter squash—Mar 24 – Apr 7Jun 27 – Aug 1—
Zucchini / Summer squash—Mar 24 – Apr 7May 13 – Jul 22—

Fruit

CropStart indoorsPlant outsideHarvestPlant for fall
Apple tree—Feb 17 – Mar 3Sep 11 – Oct 30 (once established)—
Apricot tree—Feb 17 – Mar 3May 26 – Jun 16 (once established)—
Blackberry—Feb 17 – Mar 3May 26 – Jun 30 (once established)—
Blueberry—Feb 17 – Mar 3May 12 – Jun 23 (once established)—
Cantaloupe—Mar 31 – Apr 14Jun 19 – Jul 24—
Cherry tree (sweet)—Feb 17 – Mar 3May 5 – May 26 (once established)—
Currant—Feb 10 – Feb 24May 19 – Jun 16 (once established)—
Elderberry—Feb 17 – Mar 3Jun 23 – Jul 28 (once established)—
Fig—Mar 17 – Mar 31Sep 11 – Nov 6 (once established)—
Gooseberry—Feb 10 – Feb 24May 19 – Jun 16 (once established)—
Grape—Feb 17 – Mar 3Sep 25 – Nov 6 (once established)—
Ground cherryFeb 3Mar 24 – Apr 7Jun 2 – Aug 11—
Honeyberry (haskap)—Feb 10 – Feb 24Apr 28 – May 19 (once established)—
Honeydew—Mar 31 – Apr 14Jul 4 – Aug 8—
Meyer lemon—Mar 31 – Apr 14Oct 23 – Jan 15 (once established)—
Peach tree—Feb 17 – Mar 3Jun 16 – Jul 28 (once established)—
Pear tree—Feb 17 – Mar 3Aug 28 – Oct 16 (once established)—
Plum tree—Feb 17 – Mar 3Jun 16 – Jul 14 (once established)—
Raspberry (fall-bearing)—Feb 17 – Mar 3Oct 9 – Nov 20—
Raspberry (summer)—Feb 17 – Mar 3May 12 – Jun 16 (once established)—
Strawberry (everbearing)—Feb 17 – Mar 3May 18 – Aug 24—
Strawberry (June-bearing)—Feb 17 – Mar 3Apr 7 – May 5 (once established)—
Watermelon—Mar 31 – Apr 14Jun 24 – Jul 29—

Herbs

CropStart indoorsPlant outsideHarvestPlant for fall
BasilFeb 10Mar 24 – Apr 7Apr 23 – Jul 30—
Borage—Mar 10 – Mar 24May 4 – Jul 27—
Cannabis auto—Mar 24 – Apr 7Jun 12 – Jul 10Aug 4 – Aug 18
Cannabis regularFeb 24Mar 24 – Apr 7Aug 16 – Sep 20—
CatnipJan 13Feb 24 – Mar 10Apr 25 – Aug 29—
Chamomile—Feb 24 – Mar 10Apr 25 – Jul 4—
Chervil—Feb 17 – Mar 3Apr 8 – May 20Sep 17 – Oct 1
ChivesDec 23Feb 17 – Mar 3Apr 18 – Sep 19—
Cilantro—Feb 17 – Mar 3Apr 3 – May 8Sep 22 – Oct 6
Dill—Mar 24 – Apr 7May 8 – Jul 3—
Fennel (bulb)—Mar 10 – Mar 24May 29 – Jul 3Aug 18 – Sep 1
Garlic chivesDec 30Feb 24 – Mar 10May 15 – Sep 18—
LavenderJan 6Mar 17 – Mar 31Jun 15 – Jul 27—
Lemon balmJan 13Mar 10 – Mar 24May 9 – Sep 12—
Lemongrass—Mar 24 – Apr 7Jun 22 – Aug 31—
LovageDec 30Feb 24 – Mar 10May 15 – Sep 18—
MarjoramJan 20Mar 17 – Mar 31May 26 – Sep 1—
Mint—Mar 3 – Mar 17Apr 2 – Sep 3—
OreganoJan 13Mar 10 – Mar 24May 9 – Sep 12—
ParsleyDec 30Feb 24 – Mar 10May 5 – Sep 8—
Rosemary—Mar 17 – Mar 31May 1 – Oct 2—
SageJan 13Mar 10 – Mar 24May 24 – Sep 27—
SteviaJan 27Mar 24 – Apr 7Jun 22 – Aug 31—
Summer savory—Mar 24 – Apr 7May 23 – Aug 1—
Tarragon (French)—Mar 17 – Mar 31May 16 – Aug 22—
Thai basilFeb 10Mar 24 – Apr 7May 23 – Aug 29—
ThymeJan 13Mar 10 – Mar 24May 19 – Sep 22—

Flowers

CropStart indoorsPlant outsideHarvestPlant for fall
Bachelor's button—Feb 10 – Feb 24Apr 16 – Jun 25—
Begonia—Mar 24 – Apr 7May 8 – Nov 20—
Black-eyed SusanJan 6Mar 3 – Mar 17Jun 1 – Aug 24—
Calendula—Feb 24 – Mar 10Apr 15 – Jul 22Sep 17 – Oct 1
ColeusJan 13Mar 24 – Apr 7May 13 – Nov 20—
Coneflower (echinacea)—Mar 10 – Mar 24Jun 8 – Aug 31—
Cosmos—Mar 24 – Apr 7Jun 7 – Aug 30—
Daffodil—Oct 23 – Nov 27 (fall)Feb 10 – Mar 10 next year—
Dahlia—Mar 24 – Apr 7Jul 2 – Sep 10—
Daylily—Mar 10 – Mar 24May 19 – Jul 14—
Geranium—Mar 24 – Apr 7May 8 – Nov 20—
Gladiolus—Mar 24 – Apr 7Jun 12 – Jul 17—
Hosta—Mar 10 – Mar 24May 19 – Jul 14—
ImpatiensJan 13Mar 24 – Apr 7May 13 – Nov 20—
MarigoldFeb 10Mar 24 – Apr 7May 13 – Sep 2—
Milkweed—Mar 17 – Mar 31Jun 15 – Aug 24—
Nasturtium—Mar 24 – Apr 7May 18 – Aug 24—
Pansy / violaDec 2Feb 10 – Feb 24Mar 27 – Jun 5Sep 22 – Oct 6
Peony—Feb 24 – Mar 10Apr 14 – May 5 (once established)—
PetuniaJan 6Mar 17 – Mar 31May 6 – Nov 18—
Phacelia—Feb 24 – Mar 10Apr 10 – Jun 5—
Rose—Feb 24 – Mar 10Apr 28 – Aug 11—
Salvia (ornamental)Jan 6Mar 17 – Mar 31May 26 – Nov 27—
SnapdragonDec 30Feb 24 – Mar 10May 15 – Aug 7—
StrawflowerFeb 10Mar 24 – Apr 7Jun 22 – Sep 14—
Sunflower—Mar 24 – Apr 7Jun 12 – Jul 17—
Sweet alyssumJan 20Mar 3 – Mar 17Apr 22 – Aug 26—
Sweet pea (flower)—Jan 27 – Feb 10Apr 12 – Jun 7—
Tulip—Oct 30 – Dec 4 (fall)Mar 3 – Apr 7 next year—
Vinca (periwinkle)Jan 6Mar 31 – Apr 14May 30 – Nov 20—
Zinnia—Mar 24 – Apr 7Jun 2 – Aug 25—

Cover crops

CropStart indoorsPlant outsideHarvestPlant for fall
Austrian winter peas—Oct 2 – Oct 23 (fall)Mar 31 – Apr 28 next year—
Buckwheat—Mar 24 – Apr 7Apr 28 – May 26—
Cereal rye (winter rye)—Oct 16 – Nov 27 (fall)Mar 31 – Apr 28 next year—
Crimson clover—Feb 10 – Feb 24Apr 11 – May 16Sep 21 – Oct 5
Hairy vetch—Oct 2 – Oct 30 (fall)Apr 14 – May 12 next year—
Oats (cover crop)—Feb 10 – Feb 24Apr 11 – May 16Sep 14 – Sep 28
White clover—Feb 17 – Mar 3Apr 28 – Jul 7Aug 14 – Aug 28

Frost dates in zone 8b

Average last spring frost
March 10
Safe for frost-tender plants
March 24
Average first fall frost
November 20
Growing season
About 255 days

Your own dates can be a few weeks either side, depending on elevation, nearby water, and whether you're in a city or a low frost pocket.

States with zone 8b

Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oregon, South Carolina, Texas, Washington

Month by month

January · February · March · April · May · June · July · August · September · October · November · December

Other zones

Zone 8a · Zone 9a · All zones and states