Brought to you by garden.gg Brought to you by garden.gg USDA zone 7 has average annual minimum temperatures of 0 to 10°F and a moderate four-season climate with mild winters, a long warm summer, and a generous ~190-day frost-free growing season. It supports both heat-loving summer crops and hardy fall/winter cool-season crops, often with light season extension.
Zone 7 is a transitional climate: winters are real (lows of 0 to 10°F) but short, and the 193-day season runs from mid-April to late October. It spans the Virginia and Maryland Piedmont, most of Tennessee and Arkansas, Oklahoma and north Texas, and the lowland valleys of western Oregon and Washington. The long fall is the defining advantage: first frost holds off until late October, so zone 7 fits two full brassica seasons a year, and spinach, kale, and garlic overwinter with minimal protection.
States & regions in Zone 7: Mid-Atlantic (Virginia, Maryland, central North Carolina Piedmont), Tennessee and northern Georgia/Alabama, Oklahoma and northern Texas, Arkansas, Coastal/lowland Pacific Northwest (parts of western Oregon & Washington), Northern New Mexico & Arizona high desert, Southern New Jersey & Delaware coast, Northern California interior valleys
Zone 7 gardeners have a secret weapon: you can grow cool-season crops through winter. While zone 5 is buried under snow, you're harvesting spinach and kale. But summer heat means early planting for tomatoes and peppers before the dog days hit.
Pro tip: Get tomatoes in the ground by mid-March. By July, afternoon shade cloth prevents blossom drop in the heat.
Start tracking your zone 7 garden — free
The right crops and methods for each season, based on zone 7's climate and frost timing.
Spring in zone 7 spans March through May, with cool-season crops sown outdoors well before the mid-April last frost and warm-season transplants started indoors for setting out after frost. It is the busiest planting window of the year, balancing early hardy greens and roots with indoor sowing of summer fruit.
Mid Feb - Mar
Start indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost; transplant out late April after soil warms.
Mid Feb - Mar
Slow to germinate; needs bottom heat. Transplant after frost when nights stay above 55°F.
Mid Feb - Mar
Start 8 weeks before last frost; very cold-sensitive, set out early-mid May.
Late Feb - Mar
Plant at least two for cross-pollination; transplant after frost.
Late Feb - Mar
Treat like tomatillo; transplant late April to early May.
Late Feb - Mar
Set out transplants or sets in early spring; choose intermediate-day varieties for zone 7.
Late Feb - Mar
Plant sets as soon as soil is workable.
Feb - Mar
Start indoors then transplant out in April for fall/winter harvest.
Late Feb - Mar
Sow as soon as soil is workable; tolerates light frost.
Late Feb - Mar
Direct sow early; provide trellis for climbing types.
Feb - Mar
Very cold-hardy; sow early for a late-spring harvest.
Late Feb - Apr
Sow in succession; bolts as days lengthen and warm.
Mar - Apr
Succession sow every 2-3 weeks; provide afternoon shade as it warms.
Mar - Apr
Fast cut-and-come-again green; bolts quickly in late spring heat.
Mar - Apr
Ready in 3-4 weeks; succession sow until temperatures climb.
Mar - Apr
Keep seedbed moist; thin to avoid crowding.
Mar - Apr
Direct sow; greens and roots both harvestable.
Mar - Apr
Quick spring crop; harvest before heat turns roots woody.
Mar - Apr
Plant seed potatoes 2-4 weeks before last frost; hill as they grow.
Mar - Apr
Start indoors in Feb, transplant out in March for late-spring heads.
Mar - Apr
Transplant early; needs steady cool weather to head well.
Mar - Apr
Set out hardened transplants in March.
Mar - Apr
Fast brassica; harvest bulbs before they get woody.
Mar - Apr
Very cold-tolerant; spring sowing yields through early summer.
Mar - Apr
Heat-tolerant green that produces all season once established.
Mar - Apr
Heat- and cold-tolerant; productive into summer and again in fall.
Mar - Apr
Fast spicy green; bolts in heat.
Mar - Apr
Prone to bolting; harvest young in spring.
Mar - Apr
Bolts in heat; sow early and in succession.
Mar - Apr
Direct sow; self-seeds readily.
Mar - Apr
Slow to germinate; soak seed to speed it up.
Mar - Apr
Hardy perennial; establish in spring.
Mar - Apr
Plant crowns in a permanent bed; don't harvest the first 1-2 years.
Mar - Apr
Plant crowns early; perennial, harvest lightly year one.
Mar - Apr
Set out crowns early; pinch first-year blossoms on June-bearers.
Mar - Apr
Plant dormant canes in early spring.
Mar - Apr
Needs acidic soil (pH 4.5-5.5); plant two varieties for pollination.
Feb - Mar
Zone 7 is the cold edge of its range; start indoors and may overwinter with heavy mulch.
Mar - Apr
Cool-season annual flower; direct sow early.
Late Feb - Mar
Sow early while cool; provide a trellis.
Mar - Apr
Cold-tolerant; transplant early for spring bloom.
Summer is the long warm-season production window in zone 7, running June through August with reliably warm soil and nights. Heat-loving fruiting crops, beans, melons, and Southern staples thrive, while quick succession sowings of beans, squash, and cucumbers keep the harvest going.
Late Apr - May
Set out hardened transplants after last frost; stake or cage.
May
Transplant once nights stay above 55°F for best fruit set.
May
Loves heat; set out after soil is thoroughly warm.
Late Apr - May
Vigorous and sprawling; give plenty of room.
Late Apr - May
Spreads low; harvest fruit once husks drop.
May - Jun
Direct sow after frost; succession sow for continuous harvest.
May - Jun
Fast and productive; watch for squash vine borer.
May - Jun
Succession sow in July to dodge borer and powdery mildew.
Late May - Jun
Long season; sow by mid-June to cure before fall frost.
Late May - Jun
Sow by mid-June for Halloween harvest; give vines room.
Late May - Jun
Smaller cooking pumpkin; same timing as standard pumpkin.
May - Jun
Needs warm soil; black plastic mulch speeds ripening.
May - Jun
Long, hot season required; sow by early June.
Late May - Jun
Loves heat; soak seed and sow when soil is warm.
May - Jun
Plant in blocks for pollination; succession sow for staggered harvest.
May - Jul
Succession sow every 2-3 weeks for continuous harvest.
May - Jun
Provide a tall trellis; produces over a long window.
Late May - Jun
Needs warm soil; bush and pole types available.
May - Jun
Harvest pods plump but still green.
May
Needs ~120 warm days; sow after last frost in loose soil.
May - Jun
Heat- and drought-tolerant Southern staple.
Late May - Jun
Heat-loving climber; trellis required.
May - Jun
Prefers cooler summers; mulch roots to keep cool.
May - Jun
Plant slips after soil warms; harvest before fall frost.
May - Jun
Very frost-sensitive; pinch flowers to prolong leaf production.
May - Jun
Warm-season annual herb; pairs with beans.
May - Jun
Heat-loving climbing green; replaces lettuce in summer heat.
May - Jun
Heat-tolerant spinach substitute; soak seed before sowing.
May - Jun
Thrives in heat; harvest young leaves.
May - Jun
One of the few greens that holds through summer heat.
Late May - Jun
Long warm season needed; trellis the vigorous vines.
May
Needs a full warm season to mature sponges; start at frost-free.
May
Plant a whole sprouting fruit; needs a long warm season.
May - Jun
Direct sow; succession plant for continuous bloom.
May - Jun
Heat-loving cut flower; deadhead for more blooms.
May - Jun
Pest-deterrent companion; blooms all summer.
May - Jun
Tolerates poor soil; self-seeds.
May - Jun
Edible flowers and leaves; trap crop for aphids.
May
Plant tubers after frost; lift and store over winter or mulch heavily.
Fall is a strong second cool-season window in zone 7, with mild Septembers and a late-October frost allowing brassicas, roots, and hardy greens to mature in cooling weather that sweetens their flavor. Many crops can be sown in late summer to early fall, and garlic goes in for next year.
Aug - Sep
Start indoors in July; transplant for fall heads after summer heat eases.
Aug - Sep
Fall crop often heads more reliably than spring; needs steady moisture.
Aug - Sep
Fall cabbage holds well in cool weather and resists splitting.
Jul - Aug
Long season; transplant by August so sprouts mature in cold, which sweetens them.
Aug - Sep
Bolts in spring heat, so fall is the ideal season.
Aug - Sep
Fast fall brassica; tolerates light frost.
Aug - Sep
Quick fall green; harvest before flowers fully open.
Aug - Sep
Cool-season Asian green; sow for fall harvest.
Aug - Sep
Sweetens after frost; overwinters in zone 7 with light protection.
Aug - Sep
Very hardy; improves with frost and holds into winter.
Aug - Sep
Fall sowing produces into early winter under cover.
Sep - Oct
Overwinters under mulch for an early spring harvest.
Aug - Sep
Fall lettuce avoids bolting; use cold frames to extend.
Sep - Oct
Thrives in cool fall weather; very cold-hardy.
Aug - Sep
Spicy fall green; frost mellows the bite.
Sep - Oct
Cold-hardy salad green; cut-and-come-again.
Sep - Oct
Very cold-tolerant rosette green; great under row cover.
Aug - Sep
Fall planting avoids spring bolting.
Sep - Oct
Extremely cold-hardy; harvest through winter.
Sep - Oct
Cold-season salad green that overwinters under cover.
Sep - Oct
Quick fall crop; succession sow until hard frost.
Aug - Sep
Long roots; sow late summer for fall harvest.
Aug - Sep
Roots and greens both useful; sweetens with frost.
Aug - Sep
Fall beets store well; mulch for extended harvest.
Aug - Sep
Fall carrots sweeten in cold soil; mulch to harvest into winter.
Jul - Aug
Long season; sow mid-summer for fall harvest.
Aug - Sep
See Endive entry; cool-season head/leaf chicory.
Jul - Aug
Heads up in cool fall weather; cold improves color and flavor.
Oct - Nov
Plant cloves 4-6 weeks before ground freezes; mulch for winter.
Oct - Nov
Fall-planted sets overwinter for an early summer harvest.
Sep - Oct
Thrives in cool fall weather without bolting.
Aug - Sep
Overwinters under mulch in zone 7.
Sep - Oct
Very fast cool-season green; succession sow.
Zone 7 winters are mild enough that the hardiest greens and roots survive in the ground under row cover, cold frames, or mulch, but little new outdoor sowing happens December through February. Winter is mainly for harvesting overwintered crops, protecting garlic and perennials, planning, and starting the earliest seeds indoors near February's end.
Late Feb
Begin indoor seed-starting at month's end for spring transplants.
Late Feb
Start indoors with bottom heat; slow germinator needs the head start.
Jan - Feb
Start onion seed indoors for spring transplanting.
Jan - Feb
Start indoors for transplanting out in April.
Start-indoors, direct-sow, transplant, and harvest windows for every crop in zone 7.
| Plant | Start Indoors | Direct Sow | Transplant | Harvest | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amaranth (Leaf) | — | May - Jun | — | — | Thrives in heat; harvest young leaves. |
| Arugula | — | Sep - Oct | — | — | Thrives in cool fall weather; very cold-hardy. |
| Asparagus | — | — | Mar - Apr | — | Plant crowns in a permanent bed; don't harvest the first 1-2 years. |
| Beet | — | Mar - Apr | — | — | Direct sow; greens and roots both harvestable. |
| Bitter Melon | — | Late May - Jun | — | — | Long warm season needed; trellis the vigorous vines. |
| Bok Choy / Pak Choi | — | Mar - Apr | — | — | Fall planting avoids spring bolting. |
| Broccoli | — | — | Mar - Apr | — | Start indoors in July; transplant for fall heads after summer heat eases. |
| Broccoli Raab (Rapini) | — | Aug - Sep | — | — | Quick fall green; harvest before flowers fully open. |
| Brussels Sprouts | — | — | Jul - Aug | — | Long season; transplant by August so sprouts mature in cold, which sweetens them. |
| Bush Bean | — | May - Jul | — | — | Succession sow every 2-3 weeks for continuous harvest. |
| Cabbage | — | — | Mar - Apr | — | Fall cabbage holds well in cool weather and resists splitting. |
| Carrot | — | Mar - Apr | — | Dec - Feb | Keep seedbed moist; thin to avoid crowding. |
| Cauliflower | — | — | Mar - Apr | — | Fall crop often heads more reliably than spring; needs steady moisture. |
| Chayote | — | — | May | — | Plant a whole sprouting fruit; needs a long warm season. |
| Chinese Broccoli (Gai Lan) | — | Aug - Sep | — | — | Cool-season Asian green; sow for fall harvest. |
| Claytonia (Miner's Lettuce) | — | Sep - Oct | — | — | Cold-season salad green that overwinters under cover. |
| Collards | — | — | Mar - Apr | — | Very hardy; improves with frost and holds into winter. |
| Corn (Sweet) | — | May - Jun | — | — | Plant in blocks for pollination; succession sow for staggered harvest. |
| Cowpea / Southern Pea | — | May - Jun | — | — | Heat- and drought-tolerant Southern staple. |
| Cucumber | — | May - Jun | — | — | Direct sow after frost; succession sow for continuous harvest. |
| Daikon Radish | — | Aug - Sep | — | — | Long roots; sow late summer for fall harvest. |
| Edamame (Soybean) | — | May - Jun | — | — | Harvest pods plump but still green. |
| Eggplant | Mid Feb - Mar | — | May | — | Start 8 weeks before last frost; very cold-sensitive, set out early-mid May. |
| Endive / Escarole | — | Aug - Sep | — | — | See Endive entry; cool-season head/leaf chicory. |
| Fava Bean | — | Feb - Mar | — | — | Very cold-hardy; sow early for a late-spring harvest. |
| Garden Pea | — | Late Feb - Mar | — | — | Sow as soon as soil is workable; tolerates light frost. |
| Garlic | — | — | Oct - Nov | — | Plant cloves 4-6 weeks before ground freezes; mulch for winter. |
| Globe Artichoke | Feb - Mar | — | — | — | Zone 7 is the cold edge of its range; start indoors and may overwinter with heavy mulch. |
| Husk-less / Pie Pumpkin | — | Late May - Jun | — | — | Smaller cooking pumpkin; same timing as standard pumpkin. |
| Kale | — | Mar - Apr | — | — | Sweetens after frost; overwinters in zone 7 with light protection. |
| Kohlrabi | — | Mar - Apr | — | — | Fast fall brassica; tolerates light frost. |
| Leek | Jan - Feb | — | — | — | Start indoors then transplant out in April for fall/winter harvest. |
| Lettuce | — | Mar - Apr | — | — | Fall lettuce avoids bolting; use cold frames to extend. |
| Lima Bean | — | Late May - Jun | — | — | Needs warm soil; bush and pole types available. |
| Luffa | — | May | — | — | Needs a full warm season to mature sponges; start at frost-free. |
| Malabar Spinach | — | May - Jun | — | — | Heat-loving climbing green; replaces lettuce in summer heat. |
| Mizuna | — | Sep - Oct | — | — | Cold-hardy salad green; cut-and-come-again. |
| Mustard Greens | — | Mar - Apr | — | — | Spicy fall green; frost mellows the bite. |
| Napa Cabbage | — | Aug - Sep | — | — | Bolts in spring heat, so fall is the ideal season. |
| New Zealand Spinach | — | May - Jun | — | — | Heat-tolerant spinach substitute; soak seed before sowing. |
| Okra | — | Late May - Jun | — | — | Loves heat; soak seed and sow when soil is warm. |
| Onion (Bulb) | Jan - Feb | — | Late Feb - Mar | — | Set out transplants or sets in early spring; choose intermediate-day varieties for zone 7. |
| Pac/Corn Salad (Mâche) | — | Sep - Oct | — | Dec - Feb | Extremely cold-hardy; harvest through winter. |
| Peanut | — | May | — | — | Needs ~120 warm days; sow after last frost in loose soil. |
| Pepper (Bell & Hot) | Mid Feb - Mar | — | May | — | Slow to germinate; needs bottom heat. Transplant after frost when nights stay above 55°F. |
| Pole Bean | — | May - Jun | — | — | Provide a tall trellis; produces over a long window. |
| Pole/Runner Bean (Scarlet) | — | May - Jun | — | — | Prefers cooler summers; mulch roots to keep cool. |
| Potato | — | — | Mar - Apr | — | Plant seed potatoes 2-4 weeks before last frost; hill as they grow. |
| Pumpkin | — | Late May - Jun | — | — | Sow by mid-June for Halloween harvest; give vines room. |
| Radicchio | — | — | Jul - Aug | — | Heads up in cool fall weather; cold improves color and flavor. |
| Radish | — | Sep - Oct | — | — | Ready in 3-4 weeks; succession sow until temperatures climb. |
| Rhubarb | — | — | Mar - Apr | — | Plant crowns early; perennial, harvest lightly year one. |
| Rutabaga | — | Jul - Aug | — | — | Long season; sow mid-summer for fall harvest. |
| Shallot | — | — | Oct - Nov | — | Plant sets as soon as soil is workable. |
| Snap / Snow Pea | — | Late Feb - Mar | — | — | Direct sow early; provide trellis for climbing types. |
| Spinach | — | Sep - Oct | — | — | Overwinters under mulch for an early spring harvest. |
| Summer Squash | — | May - Jun | — | — | Succession sow in July to dodge borer and powdery mildew. |
| Sweet Potato | — | — | May - Jun | — | Plant slips after soil warms; harvest before fall frost. |
| Swiss Chard | — | May - Jun | — | — | Fall sowing produces into early winter under cover. |
| Tatsoi | — | Sep - Oct | — | — | Very cold-tolerant rosette green; great under row cover. |
| Tomatillo | Late Feb - Mar | — | Late Apr - May | — | Vigorous and sprawling; give plenty of room. |
| Tomato | Mid Feb - Mar | — | Late Apr - May | — | Start indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost; transplant out late April after soil warms. |
| Turnip | — | Mar - Apr | — | — | Quick spring crop; harvest before heat turns roots woody. |
| Winter Squash | — | Late May - Jun | — | — | Long season; sow by mid-June to cure before fall frost. |
| Yardlong Bean | — | Late May - Jun | — | — | Heat-loving climber; trellis required. |
| Zucchini | — | May - Jun | — | — | Fast and productive; watch for squash vine borer. |
| Plant | Start Indoors | Direct Sow | Transplant | Harvest | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Basil | — | May - Jun | — | — | Very frost-sensitive; pinch flowers to prolong leaf production. |
| Chives | — | Mar - Apr | — | — | Hardy perennial; establish in spring. |
| Cilantro / Coriander | — | Sep - Oct | — | — | Bolts in heat; sow early and in succession. |
| Cress (Garden/Curly) | — | Sep - Oct | — | — | Very fast cool-season green; succession sow. |
| Dill | — | Mar - Apr | — | — | Direct sow; self-seeds readily. |
| Parsley | — | Mar - Apr | — | — | Slow to germinate; soak seed to speed it up. |
| Summer Savory | — | May - Jun | — | — | Warm-season annual herb; pairs with beans. |
| Plant | Start Indoors | Direct Sow | Transplant | Harvest | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blueberry | — | — | Mar - Apr | — | Needs acidic soil (pH 4.5-5.5); plant two varieties for pollination. |
| Ground Cherry | Late Feb - Mar | — | Late Apr - May | — | Treat like tomatillo; transplant late April to early May. |
| Muskmelon / Cantaloupe | — | May - Jun | — | — | Needs warm soil; black plastic mulch speeds ripening. |
| Raspberry | — | — | Mar - Apr | — | Plant dormant canes in early spring. |
| Strawberry | — | — | Mar - Apr | — | Set out crowns early; pinch first-year blossoms on June-bearers. |
| Watermelon | — | May - Jun | — | — | Long, hot season required; sow by early June. |
| Plant | Start Indoors | Direct Sow | Transplant | Harvest | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Calendula | — | Mar - Apr | — | — | Cool-season annual flower; direct sow early. |
| Cosmos | — | May - Jun | — | — | Tolerates poor soil; self-seeds. |
| Dahlia | — | — | May | — | Plant tubers after frost; lift and store over winter or mulch heavily. |
| Marigold | — | May - Jun | — | — | Pest-deterrent companion; blooms all summer. |
| Nasturtium | — | May - Jun | — | — | Edible flowers and leaves; trap crop for aphids. |
| Snapdragon | — | — | Mar - Apr | — | Cold-tolerant; transplant early for spring bloom. |
| Sunflower | — | May - Jun | — | — | Direct sow; succession plant for continuous bloom. |
| Sweet Pea | — | Late Feb - Mar | — | — | Sow early while cool; provide a trellis. |
| Zinnia | — | May - Jun | — | — | Heat-loving cut flower; deadhead for more blooms. |
The average first fall frost in zone 7 is Oct 25. To find the last safe planting date for any fall crop, count back from that date by its days to maturity plus a 14-day fall factor — growth slows as days shorten and soil cools. Applied to zone 7's frost date, that gives these plant-by dates:
Plant by Jul 23
80 days to maturity + 14-day fall factor
Plant by Aug 2
70 days to maturity + 14-day fall factor
Plant by Aug 2
70 days to maturity + 14-day fall factor
Plant by Aug 27
45 days to maturity + 14-day fall factor
Count-back dates for every zone are in the fall vegetable planting guide by zone. For the peak fall-sowing month, see what to plant in August.
Track your plants from seed to harvest, get frost alerts, and earn XP for every gardening milestone. Free forever.
Sign Up FreeIn zone 7, spring planting includes Tomato, Pepper (Bell & Hot), Eggplant, Tomatillo, Ground Cherry, Onion (Bulb), Shallot, Leek, and more. See the spring section above for each crop's timing.
The average last spring frost date for USDA zone 7 is Apr 15. The first fall frost typically arrives around Oct 25, giving a growing season of approximately 193 days.
The average first fall frost in USDA zone 7 arrives around Oct 25. That is an average, not a guarantee — the actual first frost varies by up to 2 weeks either way, so watch your local forecast from a few weeks before that date and have row covers ready for tender crops still in the ground.
In zone 7, start crops like Tomato indoors around Mid Feb - Mar. Check the seasonal sections above for each crop's indoor-sowing window.
Fall planting in zone 7 includes Broccoli, Cauliflower, Cabbage, Brussels Sprouts, Napa Cabbage, Kohlrabi, Broccoli Raab (Rapini), Chinese Broccoli (Gai Lan), and more.
Zone 7 has an average growing season of 193 days, from the last spring frost around Apr 15 to the first fall frost around Oct 25.
Month-specific guides for zone 7, hand-tuned to current frost dates and crop windows.
Learn more: When to plant vegetables by zone