Brought to you by garden.gg Brought to you by garden.gg USDA zone 8 has mild winters (average annual minimums 10 to 20°F) and long, hot summers, giving roughly eight months of frost-free growing plus productive cool-season shoulders in fall through early spring. The climate spans humid Southeast pine country to the drier Pacific Northwest lowlands and inland Southwest, but all share a long season that supports nearly every common garden crop.
States & regions in Zone 8: Coastal & inland Pacific Northwest (Seattle, Portland, WA/OR lowlands), Central & coastal Texas (Austin, San Antonio, Houston outskirts), Southeast Gulf & Atlantic interior (Georgia, Alabama, the Carolinas Piedmont, north Florida), Northern Gulf states (Louisiana, Mississippi), Inland Southwest (parts of New Mexico, Arizona high desert)
In zone 8, summer doesn't mess around. Peppers and eggplant thrive, but lettuce bolts in a heartbeat. The trick is two growing seasons: a cool spring crop and a fall encore. Smart gardeners here grow more food in October than July.
Pro tip: Don't fight the summer heat. Focus on okra, sweet potatoes, and peppers June through August, then plant your fall garden in September.
Start tracking your zone 8 garden — free
The right crops and methods for each season, based on zone 8's climate and frost timing.
Spring is the busy launch window: start warm-season crops indoors in February, harden off and transplant after the late-March frost, and direct-sow a second flush of cool-season greens and roots before summer heat arrives. Soil warms early, so most warm crops can go in by April.
Late Jan - Feb
Start 6-8 weeks before the Mar 25 last frost; transplant early-mid April.
Late Jan - Feb
Slow germinators; needs 75-85F bottom heat. Transplant mid-late April.
Late Jan - Feb
Loves heat; transplant once nights stay above 55F.
Feb
Plant at least two for pollination; transplant mid-April.
Feb
Same timing as tomatillo; self-fertile but slow to establish.
Feb - Mar
Frost-tender; transplant after Apr 1 or direct-sow late April.
Late Jan - Feb
Sow as soon as soil can be worked; tolerates light frost.
Late Jan - Feb
Trellis early; finishes before May heat.
Feb
Cool-season legume; can also be fall-sown in mild zone 8 winters.
Feb - Mar
Succession-sow every 2 weeks; bolts once highs pass 80F.
Late Jan - Feb
Sow early; bolts fast in spring warmth.
Feb - Mar
Fast and cold-hardy; succession-sow.
Feb - Mar
Ready in 25-30 days; sow every 2 weeks until warm.
Feb - Mar
Keep seedbed moist; thin early.
Feb - Mar
Roots and greens both usable.
Feb - Mar
Quick spring crop before heat.
Feb - Mar
Set out hardened transplants; very frost-tolerant.
Feb - Mar
Heat-tolerant; carries from spring into summer.
Late Jan - Feb
Transplant early so heads form before May heat.
Late Jan - Feb
Set out 4-6 week transplants.
Late Jan - Feb
Needs steady cool spell; spring timing is tight.
Feb - Mar
Harvest at tennis-ball size.
Feb - Mar
Bolts in heat; harvest young.
Feb - Mar
Plant seed potatoes 2-4 weeks before last frost; hill as they grow.
Late Jan - Feb
Use short-day or intermediate-day varieties in zone 8.
Feb - Mar
Quick and cut-and-come-again.
Feb - Mar
Bolts fast in heat; succession-sow.
Mar
Self-sows readily; sow where it will stay.
Feb - Mar
Slow germination; soak seed first.
Feb - Mar
Set out bare-root crowns early for a spring crop.
Feb - Mar
Cool-season bloomer; edible petals.
Feb - Mar
Hardy; tolerates light frost and blooms into early summer.
Late Jan - Feb
Sow early for spring bloom; needs cool roots.
Summer is the heart of the warm-season harvest, but mid-zone-8 heat (frequent 90s) can stall tomatoes and bolt greens, so this is the window for true heat-lovers and a mid-summer sowing of long-season fall crops. Mulch heavily and irrigate consistently.
Late Apr - Jun
Thrives in zone 8 heat; pick pods every 1-2 days.
Late Apr - May
Set slips after soil warms; 100-120 day crop.
Late Apr - May
Needs the full long season; harvest at first fall frost.
May - Jun
Heat- and drought-tolerant Southern staple.
May - Jun
Vigorous in heat; trellis tall.
May - Jun
Bush or pole; loves warm soil.
May - Jun
Harvest pods at the plump green stage.
Apr - Jul
Succession-sow; a final sowing in July yields before fall frost.
Apr - Jun
Long-bearing on a trellis.
Apr - Jun
Succession-sow; watch for cucumber beetles.
Apr - Jun
Replant in July if squash borers kill spring plants.
Apr - Jun
Prolific; harvest small and often.
May - Jun
Needs long season to mature rinds before fall.
Jun - early Jul
Time sowing so fruit matures by mid-October.
Jun - early Jul
Smaller fruit; same timing as pumpkin.
May - Jun
Wants hot soil and room to sprawl.
May - Jun
Harvest at full slip for best flavor.
Apr - Jun
Plant in blocks for pollination; succession-sow.
May - Jun
Heat-loving spinach substitute on a trellis.
May - Jun
Tolerates summer heat that bolts true spinach.
May - Jun
Productive summer green; cut young leaves.
May - Jun
Long warm season; trellis the vines.
May - Jun
Needs the full season to mature sponge gourds.
Apr - May
Plant a whole sprouted fruit; vigorous perennial-leaning vine in zone 8.
Apr - Jun
Pinch flowers to keep leaves coming all summer.
Apr - May
Zone 8 lower edge of hardiness; mulch heavily or treat as annual.
Apr - May
Tender perennial; harvest before fall frost.
Apr - May
Annual; pairs with beans.
Apr - Jun
Succession-sow for continuous bloom.
Apr - Jun
Heat-loving cut flower; deadhead often.
Apr - Jun
Thrives in poor, dry soil.
Apr - Jun
Good companion for tomatoes and beans.
Apr - May
Edible flowers; may stall in peak heat.
Fall is arguably the best season in zone 8: long mild conditions let cool-season crops sown in late summer mature without bolting, and the first frost (mid-November) is gentle and late. Start brassicas indoors in July-August to beat the heat, then transplant into cooling soil.
Aug - Sep
Start indoors in July; fall heads are sweeter than spring.
Aug - Sep
Cooler fall ramp gives more reliable curds than spring.
Aug - Sep
Heads hold well into cold; very hardy.
Jul - Aug
Needs a long run; light frost improves flavor.
Aug - Sep
Overwinters in zone 8; frost sweetens leaves.
Aug - Sep
Southern staple; harvest through winter.
Aug - Sep
Fast and cold-hardy.
Aug - Sep
Best as a fall crop to avoid spring bolting.
Aug - Oct
Cool weather keeps it from bolting.
Aug - Sep
Harvest flowering stems before frost hardens them.
Aug - Sep
Quick; harvest buds before full bloom.
Aug - Sep
Fall bulbs stay tender longer.
Sep - Oct
Cool nights give crisp heads; succession-sow.
Sep - Oct
Overwinters under light cover for early spring picking.
Sep - Oct
Cold-hardy; mild flavor in cool weather.
Sep - Oct
Frilly mild green; cut-and-come-again.
Sep - Oct
Very cold-tolerant rosette green.
Aug - Sep
Carries through winter in zone 8.
Aug - Sep
Fall carrots sweeten in cold soil; mulch to overwinter.
Aug - Sep
Reliable fall root; harvest into winter.
Sep - Oct
Quick fall succession crop.
Aug - Sep
Long roots; also a great cover/tillage crop.
Aug - Sep
Roots and greens; frost-sweetened.
Jul - Aug
Needs longer than turnip; sow earlier.
Jul - Aug
Slow; leave in ground and harvest after frost for sweetness.
Aug
Transplants establish fast for a long fall harvest.
Oct - Nov
Plant cloves in fall; harvest the following early summer.
Oct - Nov
Fall-plant sets like garlic for a summer harvest.
Oct - Nov
Short-day transplants overwinter for a late-spring crop.
Aug - Sep
Very hardy; stands in the ground all winter.
Sep - Oct
Far longer-lived in fall than spring; overwinters.
Sep
Cool weather slows bolting.
Sep - Oct
Overwinters in zone 8 for early-spring harvest.
Sep - Oct
Extremely cold-hardy; harvest all winter.
Sep - Oct
Thrives in cool, low light; winter salad green.
Aug - Sep
Blanch hearts; fall crop is less bitter.
Aug - Sep
Cold triggers tight head formation.
Sep - Oct
Overwinters and blooms through mild spells.
Zone 8 winters are mild enough to keep a productive cool-season garden going: hardy greens and roots sown in fall stand through the season under light row cover, and the lull is the time to overwinter garlic, plant bare-root perennials, and start spring transplants indoors. Hard freezes are brief, so frost cloth on the coldest nights usually carries everything through.
Dec
Late plantings still root before spring; mulch the bed.
Dec - Jan
Overwinters in zone 8 for an early-spring harvest.
Jan
Late-winter sowing gets a jump on spring; tolerates frost.
Dec - Jan
Fall-sown beds keep yielding; new sowings germinate in mild spells.
Dec - Jan
Among the most cold-tolerant salad greens; harvest fresh.
Late Jan
Start seed indoors under lights for early-April transplanting.
Jan
Slow to germinate; an early winter start pays off.
Dec - Jan
Start seed for spring transplants if not fall-set.
Late Jan
Begin spring transplants 6-8 weeks before set-out.
Dec - Feb
Plant dormant crowns; zone 8 is its warm limit, give afternoon shade.
Jan - Feb
Plant bare-root crowns in the dormant season; harvest in year 2-3.
Dec - Feb
Set bare-root crowns during dormancy for spring fruit.
Dec - Feb
Plant dormant bushes; choose Southern highbush/rabbiteye for zone 8.
Jan - Feb
Plant and prune dormant vines now.
Jan - Feb
Plant dormant; zone 8 is comfortable for figs with minimal protection.
Start-indoors, direct-sow, transplant, and harvest windows for every crop in zone 8.
| Plant | Start Indoors | Direct Sow | Transplant | Harvest | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amaranth (Leaf) | — | May - Jun | — | — | Productive summer green; cut young leaves. |
| Arugula | — | Sep - Oct | — | — | Fast and cold-hardy; succession-sow. |
| Asparagus | — | — | Jan - Feb | — | Plant bare-root crowns in the dormant season; harvest in year 2-3. |
| Beet | — | Feb - Mar | — | — | Roots and greens both usable. |
| Bitter Melon | — | May - Jun | — | — | Long warm season; trellis the vines. |
| Bok Choy / Pak Choi | — | Feb - Mar | — | — | Cool weather keeps it from bolting. |
| Broccoli | Late Jan | — | Late Jan - Feb | — | Start indoors in July; fall heads are sweeter than spring. |
| Broccoli Raab (Rapini) | — | Aug - Sep | — | — | Quick; harvest buds before full bloom. |
| Brussels Sprouts | — | — | Jul - Aug | — | Needs a long run; light frost improves flavor. |
| Bush Bean | — | Apr - Jul | — | — | Succession-sow; a final sowing in July yields before fall frost. |
| Cabbage | — | — | Late Jan - Feb | — | Heads hold well into cold; very hardy. |
| Carrot | — | Feb - Mar | — | — | Keep seedbed moist; thin early. |
| Cauliflower | — | — | Late Jan - Feb | — | Cooler fall ramp gives more reliable curds than spring. |
| Chayote | — | — | Apr - May | — | Plant a whole sprouted fruit; vigorous perennial-leaning vine in zone 8. |
| Chinese Broccoli (Gai Lan) | — | Aug - Sep | — | — | Harvest flowering stems before frost hardens them. |
| Claytonia (Miner's Lettuce) | — | Sep - Oct | — | — | Thrives in cool, low light; winter salad green. |
| Collards | — | — | Aug - Sep | — | Southern staple; harvest through winter. |
| Corn (Sweet) | — | Apr - Jun | — | — | Plant in blocks for pollination; succession-sow. |
| Cowpea / Southern Pea | — | May - Jun | — | — | Heat- and drought-tolerant Southern staple. |
| Cucumber | — | Apr - Jun | — | — | Succession-sow; watch for cucumber beetles. |
| Daikon Radish | — | Aug - Sep | — | — | Long roots; also a great cover/tillage crop. |
| Edamame (Soybean) | — | May - Jun | — | — | Harvest pods at the plump green stage. |
| Eggplant | Late Jan - Feb | — | — | — | Loves heat; transplant once nights stay above 55F. |
| Endive / Escarole | — | — | Aug - Sep | — | Blanch hearts; fall crop is less bitter. |
| Fava Bean | — | Feb | — | — | Overwinters in zone 8 for an early-spring harvest. |
| Garden Pea | — | Late Jan - Feb | — | — | Late-winter sowing gets a jump on spring; tolerates frost. |
| Garlic | — | — | Oct - Nov | — | Late plantings still root before spring; mulch the bed. |
| Husk-less / Pie Pumpkin | — | Jun - early Jul | — | — | Smaller fruit; same timing as pumpkin. |
| Kale | — | Aug - Sep | Feb - Mar | Dec - Feb | Overwinters in zone 8; frost sweetens leaves. |
| Kohlrabi | — | Feb - Mar | — | — | Fall bulbs stay tender longer. |
| Leek | — | — | Aug - Sep | Dec - Feb | Very hardy; stands in the ground all winter. |
| Lettuce | — | Sep - Oct | — | — | Succession-sow every 2 weeks; bolts once highs pass 80F. |
| Lima Bean | — | May - Jun | — | — | Bush or pole; loves warm soil. |
| Luffa | — | May - Jun | — | — | Needs the full season to mature sponge gourds. |
| Malabar Spinach | — | May - Jun | — | — | Heat-loving spinach substitute on a trellis. |
| Mizuna | — | Sep - Oct | — | — | Frilly mild green; cut-and-come-again. |
| Mustard Greens | — | Aug - Sep | — | — | Fast and cold-hardy. |
| Napa Cabbage | — | — | Aug - Sep | — | Best as a fall crop to avoid spring bolting. |
| New Zealand Spinach | — | May - Jun | — | — | Tolerates summer heat that bolts true spinach. |
| Okra | — | Late Apr - Jun | — | — | Thrives in zone 8 heat; pick pods every 1-2 days. |
| Onion (Bulb) | Dec - Jan | — | Oct - Nov | — | Start seed for spring transplants if not fall-set. |
| Pac/Corn Salad (Mâche) | — | Sep - Oct | — | — | Among the most cold-tolerant salad greens; harvest fresh. |
| Parsnip | — | Jul - Aug | — | — | Slow; leave in ground and harvest after frost for sweetness. |
| Peanut | — | Late Apr - May | — | — | Needs the full long season; harvest at first fall frost. |
| Pepper (Bell & Hot) | Late Jan - Feb | — | — | — | Slow germinators; needs 75-85F bottom heat. Transplant mid-late April. |
| Pole Bean | — | Apr - Jun | — | — | Long-bearing on a trellis. |
| Potato | — | — | Feb - Mar | — | Plant seed potatoes 2-4 weeks before last frost; hill as they grow. |
| Pumpkin | — | Jun - early Jul | — | — | Time sowing so fruit matures by mid-October. |
| Radicchio | — | — | Aug - Sep | — | Cold triggers tight head formation. |
| Radish | — | Sep - Oct | — | — | Ready in 25-30 days; sow every 2 weeks until warm. |
| Rhubarb | — | — | Dec - Feb | — | Plant dormant crowns; zone 8 is its warm limit, give afternoon shade. |
| Rutabaga | — | Jul - Aug | — | — | Needs longer than turnip; sow earlier. |
| Scallion / Green Onion | — | Feb - Mar | — | — | Quick and cut-and-come-again. |
| Shallot | — | — | Oct - Nov | — | Fall-plant sets like garlic for a summer harvest. |
| Snap / Snow Pea | — | Late Jan - Feb | — | — | Trellis early; finishes before May heat. |
| Spinach | — | Sep - Oct | — | — | Fall-sown beds keep yielding; new sowings germinate in mild spells. |
| Summer Squash | — | Apr - Jun | — | — | Prolific; harvest small and often. |
| Sweet Potato | — | — | Late Apr - May | — | Set slips after soil warms; 100-120 day crop. |
| Swiss Chard | — | Feb - Mar | — | — | Carries through winter in zone 8. |
| Tatsoi | — | Sep - Oct | — | — | Very cold-tolerant rosette green. |
| Tomatillo | Feb | — | — | — | Plant at least two for pollination; transplant mid-April. |
| Tomato | Late Jan - Feb | — | — | — | Start 6-8 weeks before the Mar 25 last frost; transplant early-mid April. |
| Turnip | — | Feb - Mar | — | — | Quick spring crop before heat. |
| Winter Squash | — | May - Jun | — | — | Needs long season to mature rinds before fall. |
| Yardlong Bean | — | May - Jun | — | — | Vigorous in heat; trellis tall. |
| Zucchini | — | Apr - Jun | — | — | Replant in July if squash borers kill spring plants. |
| Plant | Start Indoors | Direct Sow | Transplant | Harvest | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Basil | Feb - Mar | Apr - Jun | — | — | Frost-tender; transplant after Apr 1 or direct-sow late April. |
| Cilantro / Coriander | — | Sep - Oct | — | — | Bolts fast in heat; succession-sow. |
| Dill | — | Sep | — | — | Self-sows readily; sow where it will stay. |
| Lemongrass | — | — | Apr - May | — | Zone 8 lower edge of hardiness; mulch heavily or treat as annual. |
| Parsley | — | Feb - Mar | Sep - Oct | — | Slow germination; soak seed first. |
| Stevia | — | — | Apr - May | — | Tender perennial; harvest before fall frost. |
| Summer Savory | — | Apr - May | — | — | Annual; pairs with beans. |
| Plant | Start Indoors | Direct Sow | Transplant | Harvest | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blueberry | — | — | Dec - Feb | — | Plant dormant bushes; choose Southern highbush/rabbiteye for zone 8. |
| Fig | — | — | Jan - Feb | — | Plant dormant; zone 8 is comfortable for figs with minimal protection. |
| Grape | — | — | Jan - Feb | — | Plant and prune dormant vines now. |
| Ground Cherry | Feb | — | — | — | Same timing as tomatillo; self-fertile but slow to establish. |
| Muskmelon / Cantaloupe | — | May - Jun | — | — | Harvest at full slip for best flavor. |
| Strawberry | — | — | Feb - Mar | — | Set bare-root crowns during dormancy for spring fruit. |
| Watermelon | — | May - Jun | — | — | Wants hot soil and room to sprawl. |
| Plant | Start Indoors | Direct Sow | Transplant | Harvest | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Calendula | — | Sep - Oct | — | — | Cool-season bloomer; edible petals. |
| Cosmos | — | Apr - Jun | — | — | Thrives in poor, dry soil. |
| Marigold | — | Apr - Jun | — | — | Good companion for tomatoes and beans. |
| Nasturtium | — | Apr - May | — | — | Edible flowers; may stall in peak heat. |
| Snapdragon | — | — | Feb - Mar | — | Hardy; tolerates light frost and blooms into early summer. |
| Sunflower | — | Apr - Jun | — | — | Succession-sow for continuous bloom. |
| Sweet Pea | — | Late Jan - Feb | — | — | Sow early for spring bloom; needs cool roots. |
| Zinnia | — | Apr - Jun | — | — | Heat-loving cut flower; deadhead often. |
Track your plants from seed to harvest, get frost alerts, and earn XP for every gardening milestone. Free forever.
Sign Up FreeIn zone 8, spring planting includes Tomato, Pepper (Bell & Hot), Eggplant, Tomatillo, Ground Cherry, Basil, Garden Pea, Snap / Snow Pea, and more. See the spring section above for each crop's timing.
The average last spring frost date for USDA zone 8 is Mar 25. The first fall frost typically arrives around Nov 15, giving a growing season of approximately 235 days.
In zone 8, start crops like Tomato indoors around Late Jan - Feb. Check the seasonal sections above for each crop's indoor-sowing window.
Fall planting in zone 8 includes Broccoli, Cauliflower, Cabbage, Brussels Sprouts, Kale, Collards, Mustard Greens, Napa Cabbage, and more.
Zone 8 has an average growing season of 235 days, from the last spring frost around Mar 25 to the first fall frost around Nov 15.
Month-specific guides for zone 8, hand-tuned to current frost dates and crop windows.
Learn more: When to plant vegetables by zone