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Zone 7 Planting Calendar

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.

Last Spring Frost: Apr 15 First Fall Frost: Oct 25 193-Day Growing Season

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

What to Plant in Zone 7 This Fall (September–November)

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:

Cabbage (transplants)

Plant by Jul 23

80 days to maturity + 14-day fall factor

Broccoli (transplants)

Plant by Aug 2

70 days to maturity + 14-day fall factor

Carrots

Plant by Aug 2

70 days to maturity + 14-day fall factor

Spinach

Plant by Aug 27

45 days to maturity + 14-day fall factor

Zone 7a and 7b: these dates are zone 7 averages. In zone 7a, first frost tends to arrive about a week earlier, so plant about a week before the dates above; in zone 7b you get roughly a week of extra time. Half-zone pages shift every date for you: zone 7a fall dates and zone 7b fall dates.

Fall crops on this zone 7 calendar include Broccoli, Cauliflower, Cabbage, Brussels Sprouts, Napa Cabbage, Kohlrabi, Broccoli Raab (Rapini), Chinese Broccoli (Gai Lan), Kale, Collards, Swiss Chard, Spinach, and 21 more. Each crop's sowing and transplant window is in the fall planting section below.

For month-by-month detail, see what to plant in October across every zone, what to plant in September, and the fall vegetable planting guide by zone.

What to Plant by Season in Zone 7

The right crops and methods for each season, based on zone 7's climate and frost timing.

What to Plant in Spring

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.

Tomato Start indoors

Mid Feb - Mar

Start indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost; transplant out late April after soil warms.

Pepper (Bell & Hot) Start indoors

Mid Feb - Mar

Slow to germinate; needs bottom heat. Transplant after frost when nights stay above 55°F.

Eggplant Start indoors

Mid Feb - Mar

Start 8 weeks before last frost; very cold-sensitive, set out early-mid May.

Tomatillo Start indoors

Late Feb - Mar

Plant at least two for cross-pollination; transplant after frost.

Ground Cherry Start indoors

Late Feb - Mar

Treat like tomatillo; transplant late April to early May.

Onion (Bulb) Transplant

Late Feb - Mar

Set out transplants or sets in early spring; choose intermediate-day varieties for zone 7.

Shallot Plant sets / crowns

Late Feb - Mar

Plant sets as soon as soil is workable.

Leek Start indoors

Feb - Mar

Start indoors then transplant out in April for fall/winter harvest.

Garden Pea Direct sow

Late Feb - Mar

Sow as soon as soil is workable; tolerates light frost.

Snap / Snow Pea Direct sow

Late Feb - Mar

Direct sow early; provide trellis for climbing types.

Fava Bean Direct sow

Feb - Mar

Very cold-hardy; sow early for a late-spring harvest.

Spinach Direct sow

Late Feb - Apr

Sow in succession; bolts as days lengthen and warm.

Lettuce Direct sow

Mar - Apr

Succession sow every 2-3 weeks; provide afternoon shade as it warms.

Arugula Direct sow

Mar - Apr

Fast cut-and-come-again green; bolts quickly in late spring heat.

Radish Direct sow

Mar - Apr

Ready in 3-4 weeks; succession sow until temperatures climb.

Carrot Direct sow

Mar - Apr

Keep seedbed moist; thin to avoid crowding.

Beet Direct sow

Mar - Apr

Direct sow; greens and roots both harvestable.

Turnip Direct sow

Mar - Apr

Quick spring crop; harvest before heat turns roots woody.

Potato Plant sets / crowns

Mar - Apr

Plant seed potatoes 2-4 weeks before last frost; hill as they grow.

Broccoli Transplant

Mar - Apr

Start indoors in Feb, transplant out in March for late-spring heads.

Cauliflower Transplant

Mar - Apr

Transplant early; needs steady cool weather to head well.

Cabbage Transplant

Mar - Apr

Set out hardened transplants in March.

Kohlrabi Direct sow

Mar - Apr

Fast brassica; harvest bulbs before they get woody.

Kale Direct sow

Mar - Apr

Very cold-tolerant; spring sowing yields through early summer.

Swiss Chard Direct sow

Mar - Apr

Heat-tolerant green that produces all season once established.

Collards Transplant

Mar - Apr

Heat- and cold-tolerant; productive into summer and again in fall.

Mustard Greens Direct sow

Mar - Apr

Fast spicy green; bolts in heat.

Bok Choy / Pak Choi Direct sow

Mar - Apr

Prone to bolting; harvest young in spring.

Cilantro / Coriander Direct sow

Mar - Apr

Bolts in heat; sow early and in succession.

Dill Direct sow

Mar - Apr

Direct sow; self-seeds readily.

Parsley Direct sow

Mar - Apr

Slow to germinate; soak seed to speed it up.

Chives Direct sow

Mar - Apr

Hardy perennial; establish in spring.

Asparagus Plant sets / crowns

Mar - Apr

Plant crowns in a permanent bed; don't harvest the first 1-2 years.

Rhubarb Plant sets / crowns

Mar - Apr

Plant crowns early; perennial, harvest lightly year one.

Strawberry Transplant

Mar - Apr

Set out crowns early; pinch first-year blossoms on June-bearers.

Raspberry Transplant

Mar - Apr

Plant dormant canes in early spring.

Blueberry Transplant

Mar - Apr

Needs acidic soil (pH 4.5-5.5); plant two varieties for pollination.

Globe Artichoke Start indoors

Feb - Mar

Zone 7 is the cold edge of its range; start indoors and may overwinter with heavy mulch.

Calendula Direct sow

Mar - Apr

Cool-season annual flower; direct sow early.

Sweet Pea Direct sow

Late Feb - Mar

Sow early while cool; provide a trellis.

Snapdragon Transplant

Mar - Apr

Cold-tolerant; transplant early for spring bloom.

What to Plant in Summer

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.

Tomato Transplant

Late Apr - May

Set out hardened transplants after last frost; stake or cage.

Pepper (Bell & Hot) Transplant

May

Transplant once nights stay above 55°F for best fruit set.

Eggplant Transplant

May

Loves heat; set out after soil is thoroughly warm.

Tomatillo Transplant

Late Apr - May

Vigorous and sprawling; give plenty of room.

Ground Cherry Transplant

Late Apr - May

Spreads low; harvest fruit once husks drop.

Cucumber Direct sow

May - Jun

Direct sow after frost; succession sow for continuous harvest.

Zucchini Direct sow

May - Jun

Fast and productive; watch for squash vine borer.

Summer Squash Direct sow

May - Jun

Succession sow in July to dodge borer and powdery mildew.

Winter Squash Direct sow

Late May - Jun

Long season; sow by mid-June to cure before fall frost.

Pumpkin Direct sow

Late May - Jun

Sow by mid-June for Halloween harvest; give vines room.

Husk-less / Pie Pumpkin Direct sow

Late May - Jun

Smaller cooking pumpkin; same timing as standard pumpkin.

Muskmelon / Cantaloupe Direct sow

May - Jun

Needs warm soil; black plastic mulch speeds ripening.

Watermelon Direct sow

May - Jun

Long, hot season required; sow by early June.

Okra Direct sow

Late May - Jun

Loves heat; soak seed and sow when soil is warm.

Corn (Sweet) Direct sow

May - Jun

Plant in blocks for pollination; succession sow for staggered harvest.

Bush Bean Direct sow

May - Jul

Succession sow every 2-3 weeks for continuous harvest.

Pole Bean Direct sow

May - Jun

Provide a tall trellis; produces over a long window.

Lima Bean Direct sow

Late May - Jun

Needs warm soil; bush and pole types available.

Edamame (Soybean) Direct sow

May - Jun

Harvest pods plump but still green.

Peanut Direct sow

May

Needs ~120 warm days; sow after last frost in loose soil.

Cowpea / Southern Pea Direct sow

May - Jun

Heat- and drought-tolerant Southern staple.

Yardlong Bean Direct sow

Late May - Jun

Heat-loving climber; trellis required.

Pole/Runner Bean (Scarlet) Direct sow

May - Jun

Prefers cooler summers; mulch roots to keep cool.

Sweet Potato Transplant

May - Jun

Plant slips after soil warms; harvest before fall frost.

Basil Direct sow

May - Jun

Very frost-sensitive; pinch flowers to prolong leaf production.

Summer Savory Direct sow

May - Jun

Warm-season annual herb; pairs with beans.

Malabar Spinach Direct sow

May - Jun

Heat-loving climbing green; replaces lettuce in summer heat.

New Zealand Spinach Direct sow

May - Jun

Heat-tolerant spinach substitute; soak seed before sowing.

Amaranth (Leaf) Direct sow

May - Jun

Thrives in heat; harvest young leaves.

Swiss Chard Direct sow

May - Jun

One of the few greens that holds through summer heat.

Bitter Melon Direct sow

Late May - Jun

Long warm season needed; trellis the vigorous vines.

Luffa Direct sow

May

Needs a full warm season to mature sponges; start at frost-free.

Chayote Plant sets / crowns

May

Plant a whole sprouting fruit; needs a long warm season.

Sunflower Direct sow

May - Jun

Direct sow; succession plant for continuous bloom.

Zinnia Direct sow

May - Jun

Heat-loving cut flower; deadhead for more blooms.

Marigold Direct sow

May - Jun

Pest-deterrent companion; blooms all summer.

Cosmos Direct sow

May - Jun

Tolerates poor soil; self-seeds.

Nasturtium Direct sow

May - Jun

Edible flowers and leaves; trap crop for aphids.

Dahlia Plant sets / crowns

May

Plant tubers after frost; lift and store over winter or mulch heavily.

What to Plant in Fall

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.

Broccoli Transplant

Aug - Sep

Start indoors in July; transplant for fall heads after summer heat eases.

Cauliflower Transplant

Aug - Sep

Fall crop often heads more reliably than spring; needs steady moisture.

Cabbage Transplant

Aug - Sep

Fall cabbage holds well in cool weather and resists splitting.

Brussels Sprouts Transplant

Jul - Aug

Long season; transplant by August so sprouts mature in cold, which sweetens them.

Napa Cabbage Direct sow

Aug - Sep

Bolts in spring heat, so fall is the ideal season.

Kohlrabi Direct sow

Aug - Sep

Fast fall brassica; tolerates light frost.

Broccoli Raab (Rapini) Direct sow

Aug - Sep

Quick fall green; harvest before flowers fully open.

Chinese Broccoli (Gai Lan) Direct sow

Aug - Sep

Cool-season Asian green; sow for fall harvest.

Kale Direct sow

Aug - Sep

Sweetens after frost; overwinters in zone 7 with light protection.

Collards Transplant

Aug - Sep

Very hardy; improves with frost and holds into winter.

Swiss Chard Direct sow

Aug - Sep

Fall sowing produces into early winter under cover.

Spinach Direct sow

Sep - Oct

Overwinters under mulch for an early spring harvest.

Lettuce Direct sow

Aug - Sep

Fall lettuce avoids bolting; use cold frames to extend.

Arugula Direct sow

Sep - Oct

Thrives in cool fall weather; very cold-hardy.

Mustard Greens Direct sow

Aug - Sep

Spicy fall green; frost mellows the bite.

Mizuna Direct sow

Sep - Oct

Cold-hardy salad green; cut-and-come-again.

Tatsoi Direct sow

Sep - Oct

Very cold-tolerant rosette green; great under row cover.

Bok Choy / Pak Choi Direct sow

Aug - Sep

Fall planting avoids spring bolting.

Pac/Corn Salad (Mâche) Direct sow

Sep - Oct

Extremely cold-hardy; harvest through winter.

Claytonia (Miner's Lettuce) Direct sow

Sep - Oct

Cold-season salad green that overwinters under cover.

Radish Direct sow

Sep - Oct

Quick fall crop; succession sow until hard frost.

Daikon Radish Direct sow

Aug - Sep

Long roots; sow late summer for fall harvest.

Turnip Direct sow

Aug - Sep

Roots and greens both useful; sweetens with frost.

Beet Direct sow

Aug - Sep

Fall beets store well; mulch for extended harvest.

Carrot Direct sow

Aug - Sep

Fall carrots sweeten in cold soil; mulch to harvest into winter.

Rutabaga Direct sow

Jul - Aug

Long season; sow mid-summer for fall harvest.

Endive / Escarole Direct sow

Aug - Sep

See Endive entry; cool-season head/leaf chicory.

Radicchio Transplant

Jul - Aug

Heads up in cool fall weather; cold improves color and flavor.

Garlic Plant sets / crowns

Oct - Nov

Plant cloves 4-6 weeks before ground freezes; mulch for winter.

Shallot Plant sets / crowns

Oct - Nov

Fall-planted sets overwinter for an early summer harvest.

Cilantro / Coriander Direct sow

Sep - Oct

Thrives in cool fall weather without bolting.

Parsley Direct sow

Aug - Sep

Overwinters under mulch in zone 7.

Cress (Garden/Curly) Direct sow

Sep - Oct

Very fast cool-season green; succession sow.

What to Plant in Winter

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.

Tomato Start indoors

Late Feb

Begin indoor seed-starting at month's end for spring transplants.

Pepper (Bell & Hot) Start indoors

Late Feb

Start indoors with bottom heat; slow germinator needs the head start.

Onion (Bulb) Start indoors

Jan - Feb

Start onion seed indoors for spring transplanting.

Leek Start indoors

Jan - Feb

Start indoors for transplanting out in April.

Full Planting Timing Table

Start-indoors, direct-sow, transplant, and harvest windows for every crop in zone 7.

Vegetables

Plant Start Indoors Direct Sow Transplant Harvest Notes
Amaranth (Leaf) — May - Jun — — Thrives in heat; harvest young leaves.
Arugula — Sep - Oct — — Fast cut-and-come-again green; bolts quickly in late spring heat.
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 — — Succession sow every 2-3 weeks; provide afternoon shade as it warms.
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 — — Sow in succession; bolts as days lengthen and warm.
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 — Plant at least two for cross-pollination; transplant after frost.
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.

Herbs

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.

Fruits

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.

Flowers

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.

Zone 7a vs Zone 7b

USDA divides every hardiness zone into two half-zones based on average annual minimum temperature: zone 7a is the cooler half and zone 7b the warmer, 5°F apart. Seed packets and nursery tags usually quote the full zone, but the half-zone is what decides your edge cases — the borderline perennial that survives in 7b and dies in 7a, or the extra week of fall growing 7b buys you.

The dates on this page are zone 7 averages. If you're in zone 7a, treat your last spring frost as about a week later and your first fall frost as about a week earlier than the dates above. In zone 7b, you get roughly a week of grace on each end. Your own microclimate — slope, shelter, pavement, elevation — can swing dates as much as the half-zone does, which is why tracking your garden's actual frost dates beats any table within a season or two.

Want the dates already shifted? See the zone 7a planting schedule and the zone 7b planting guide.

Zone 7 Growing Tips

Frequently Asked Questions

What can I plant in spring in zone 7?

In 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.

What is the last frost date for zone 7?

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.

When is the first frost in zone 7?

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.

When can I start seeds indoors in zone 7?

In zone 7, start crops like Tomato indoors around Mid Feb - Mar. Check the seasonal sections above for each crop's indoor-sowing window.

What can I plant in fall in zone 7?

Fall planting in zone 7 includes Broccoli, Cauliflower, Cabbage, Brussels Sprouts, Napa Cabbage, Kohlrabi, Broccoli Raab (Rapini), Chinese Broccoli (Gai Lan), and more.

How long is the growing season in zone 7?

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.

What is the difference between zone 7a and zone 7b?

USDA splits every zone into two half-zones 5°F apart: zone 7a is the cooler half and zone 7b the warmer. The planting dates on this page are zone 7 averages — if you're in 7a, shift spring plantings about a week later and fall plantings about a week earlier; in 7b, shift about a week the other way.