Blog

🔍

Zone 8a Planting Calendar

Zone 8a has an average minimum temperature range of 10°F to 15°F. The average last spring frost is around March 8 and the first fall frost is around November 18, giving you approximately 255 days in the growing season.

There are 184 plants in our database that grow well in Zone 8a.

Zone 8a Long season
255 days
❄
Last Spring Frost March 8
➔ 255 growing days ➔
❄
First Fall Frost November 18
Zone 8a Frost Countdown
--
Loading...
Last Frost: Mar 8 First Frost: Nov 18

States That Include Zone 8a

Many states span multiple zones. The states highlighted below contain areas classified as Zone 8a.

AL — Zone 7b AL AR — Zone 7b AR AZ — Zone 8a AZ CA — Zone 9a CA CO — Zone 5a CO CT — Zone 6b CT DE — Zone 7a DE FL — Zone 9a FL GA — Zone 7b GA IA — Zone 5a IA ID — Zone 5b ID IL — Zone 5b IL IN — Zone 6a IN KS — Zone 6a KS KY — Zone 6b KY LA — Zone 8b LA MA — Zone 6a MA MD — Zone 7a MD ME — Zone 4b ME MI — Zone 5b MI MN — Zone 4a MN MO — Zone 6a MO MS — Zone 8a MS MT — Zone 4b MT NC — Zone 7a NC ND — Zone 3b ND NE — Zone 5a NE NH — Zone 5a NH NJ — Zone 7a NJ NM — Zone 6b NM NV — Zone 6b NV NY — Zone 5b NY OH — Zone 6a OH OK — Zone 7a OK OR — Zone 7a OR PA — Zone 6a PA RI — Zone 6b RI SC — Zone 8a SC SD — Zone 4a SD TN — Zone 7a TN TX — Zone 8a TX UT — Zone 5b UT VA — Zone 7a VA VT — Zone 4b VT WA — Zone 7a WA WI — Zone 4b WI WV — Zone 6a WV WY — Zone 4a WY AK — Zone 2a AK HI — Zone 11a HI
Zones: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

Growing Season Comparison

What to Plant Right Now in Zone 8a

Based on April 2026 planting windows.

🥬 Acorn Squash Transplant Outdoors Mar 22 – Apr 5 🍓 Alpine Strawberries Transplant Outdoors Mar 29 – Apr 12 🥬 Amaranth Transplant Outdoors Mar 22 – Apr 5 🍓 Aronia Transplant Outdoors Mar 29 – Apr 12 🥬 Artichoke Transplant Outdoors Mar 22 – Apr 5 🥬 Arugula Harvest Apr 12 – Jun 14 🥬 Asparagus Transplant Outdoors Mar 22 – Apr 5 🌿 Basil Transplant Outdoors Mar 22 – Apr 5

See all April plantings →

All Planting Windows at a Glance

This chart shows when to start, transplant, sow, and harvest every plant in Zone 8a.

Vegetables for Zone 8a

Plant Start Indoors Direct Sow Transplant Harvest Days to Maturity
Acorn Squash Feb 8 Mar 15 Mar 22 Jun 14 – Jul 19 80–100
Amaranth Jan 18 Mar 15 Mar 22 Jun 21 – Aug 9 90–120
Artichoke — — Mar 22 Jul 26 – Oct 4 120–180
Arugula Feb 1 Feb 22 Mar 8 Apr 12 – Jun 14 30–50
Asparagus — — Mar 22 — 730–1095
Beets — Feb 22 — Apr 19 – May 17 50–70
Belgian Endive Feb 1 Feb 22 Mar 8 Jun 28 – Aug 23 110–150
Bitter Melon Jan 18 Mar 15 Mar 22 May 24 – Jul 5 60–90
Black Beans — Mar 15 — Jun 14 – Aug 2 90–120
Bok Choy Feb 1 Feb 22 Mar 8 Apr 19 – May 24 40–60
Broccoli Feb 1 Feb 22 Mar 8 May 10 – Jun 21 60–90
Broccoli Rabe Feb 1 Feb 22 Mar 8 Apr 19 – May 24 40–60
Brussels Sprouts Feb 1 Feb 22 Mar 8 Jun 7 – Aug 2 90–130
Butternut Squash Feb 8 Mar 15 Mar 22 Jun 21 – Jul 26 85–110
Cabbage Feb 1 Feb 22 Mar 8 May 10 – Jul 5 60–100
Calabash Jan 18 Mar 15 Mar 22 Jun 14 – Aug 9 80–120
Cardoon — — Mar 22 Jul 26 – Sep 6 120–150
Carrots — Feb 22 — Apr 26 – May 31 60–80
Cauliflower Feb 1 Feb 22 Mar 8 May 3 – Jul 5 55–100
Celeriac Feb 1 Feb 22 Mar 8 Jun 21 – Jul 26 100–120
Celery Feb 1 Feb 22 Mar 8 May 31 – Jul 26 80–120
Celtuce Feb 1 Feb 22 Mar 8 May 10 – Jun 21 60–90
Chard Feb 1 Feb 22 Mar 8 May 3 – Jun 21 50–60
Chayote Jan 18 Mar 15 Mar 22 Jul 26 – Oct 4 120–180
Chickpeas Feb 1 Feb 22 Mar 8 May 31 – Jul 12 80–110
Chicory Feb 1 Feb 22 Mar 8 May 10 – Jun 21 60–85
Chinese Cabbage Feb 1 Feb 22 Mar 8 May 3 – May 31 50–70
Christmas Lima Beans Jan 18 Mar 15 Mar 22 Jun 14 – Jul 19 80–100
Collard Greens Feb 1 Feb 22 Mar 8 May 3 – Jul 5 55–75
Corn — Mar 15 — May 17 – Jul 12 60–100
Cowpeas — Mar 15 — May 17 – Jun 28 60–90
Cress Feb 1 Feb 22 Mar 8 Mar 22 – Apr 12 14–21
Crookneck Squash Feb 8 Mar 15 Mar 22 May 10 – Jun 7 45–60
Crosne — Feb 22 — Jul 26 – Sep 27 150–200
Cucumber Feb 8 Mar 15 Mar 22 May 17 – Jul 12 50–70
Daikon — Feb 22 — Apr 19 – May 17 50–70
Delicata Squash Feb 8 Mar 15 Mar 22 Jun 14 – Jul 19 80–100
Edamame — Mar 15 — May 31 – Jul 12 75–100
Eggplant Jan 4 Mar 15 Mar 22 May 31 – Aug 2 65–85
Endive Feb 1 Feb 22 Mar 8 Apr 26 – May 31 45–65
Escarole Feb 1 Feb 22 Mar 8 May 3 – May 31 50–70
Fava Beans Feb 1 Feb 22 Mar 8 May 24 – Jul 5 75–100
Fennel Jan 18 Mar 15 Mar 22 May 24 – Jul 5 60–90
Garlic — — — — 90–240
Ginger Jan 18 Mar 15 Mar 22 Nov 22 – Dec 6 240–300
Green Beans — Mar 15 — May 10 – Jul 5 50–65
Horseradish — — Mar 22 Jul 26 – Oct 4 120–180
Hot Peppers Jan 4 Mar 15 Mar 22 May 31 – Sep 6 70–120
Hubbard Squash Feb 8 Mar 15 Mar 22 Jul 5 – Aug 9 100–120
Jicama Jan 18 Mar 15 Mar 22 Jul 26 – Oct 4 120–180
Kabocha Feb 8 Mar 15 Mar 22 Jun 21 – Jul 19 85–100
Kai Lan Feb 1 Feb 22 Mar 8 Apr 26 – May 24 45–60
Kale Feb 1 Feb 22 Mar 8 May 3 – Jun 28 50–70
Kidney Beans — Mar 15 — Jun 14 – Jul 19 85–110
Kohlrabi Feb 1 Feb 22 Mar 8 Apr 26 – May 31 45–65
Komatsuna Feb 1 Feb 22 Mar 8 Apr 12 – May 17 35–50
Leeks Feb 1 Feb 22 Mar 8 Jun 7 – Aug 23 90–150
Lentils Feb 1 Feb 22 Mar 8 May 31 – Jul 12 80–110
Lettuce Feb 1 Feb 22 Mar 8 Apr 12 – Jun 21 30–60
Lima Beans — Mar 15 — May 17 – Jun 28 60–90
Loofah Jan 18 Mar 15 Mar 22 Jul 5 – Sep 6 100–150
Luffa Jan 18 Mar 15 Mar 22 Jun 21 – Sep 6 90–150
Mache Feb 1 Feb 22 Mar 8 Apr 19 – May 24 40–60
Malabar Spinach Jan 18 Mar 15 Mar 22 May 17 – Jun 14 55–70
Melon Feb 8 Mar 15 Mar 22 May 31 – Jul 19 70–100
Microgreens Feb 1 Feb 22 Mar 8 Mar 15 – Apr 12 7–21
Mitsuba Feb 1 Feb 22 Mar 1 Apr 26 – Jun 21 50–70
Mizuna Feb 1 Feb 22 Mar 8 Apr 12 – May 10 30–45
Mustard Greens Feb 1 Feb 22 Mar 8 Apr 12 – Jun 14 30–50
Napa Cabbage Feb 1 Feb 22 Mar 8 May 3 – Jun 7 55–75
New Zealand Spinach Jan 18 Mar 15 Mar 22 May 17 – Jun 14 55–70
Okra Jan 18 Mar 15 Mar 22 May 17 – Jul 12 50–65
Onion Feb 1 Feb 22 Mar 8 Jun 7 – Jul 26 90–120
Pac Choi Feb 1 Feb 22 Mar 8 Apr 19 – May 17 40–55
Parsnip — Feb 22 — Jun 7 – Jul 19 100–130
Patty Pan Squash Feb 8 Mar 15 Mar 22 May 10 – Jun 7 45–60
Peas Feb 1 Feb 22 Mar 8 May 3 – Jun 28 55–70
Peppers Jan 4 Mar 15 Mar 22 May 24 – Aug 2 60–90
Pole Beans Jan 18 Mar 15 Mar 22 May 17 – Jul 12 55–70
Potatoes Jan 18 Mar 15 Mar 22 May 31 – Aug 9 70–120
Pumpkin Feb 8 Mar 15 Mar 22 Jun 21 – Aug 9 85–120
Purslane Feb 1 Feb 22 Mar 8 Apr 19 – May 24 40–60
Radicchio Feb 1 Feb 22 Mar 8 May 10 – Jun 14 60–80
Radish — Feb 22 — Mar 22 – Apr 12 22–35
Rhubarb — — Mar 29 — 365–730
Romanesco Feb 1 Feb 22 Mar 8 May 24 – Jul 5 75–100
Rutabaga — Feb 22 — May 17 – Jun 21 80–100
Salsify — Feb 22 — Jun 7 – Jul 19 100–130
Savoy Cabbage Feb 1 Feb 22 Mar 8 May 17 – Jul 12 70–110
Scallions Feb 1 Feb 22 Mar 8 May 3 – May 31 50–70
Scarlet Runner Beans Jan 18 Mar 15 Mar 22 May 24 – Jun 28 60–80
Shallot Feb 1 Feb 22 Mar 8 Jun 7 – Jul 26 90–120
Shiso Jan 18 Mar 15 Mar 22 May 17 – Jul 12 50–70
Snap Peas Jan 18 Mar 15 Mar 22 May 17 – Jul 12 55–70
Snow Peas Feb 1 Feb 22 Mar 8 May 3 – Jun 28 50–65
Soybeans — Mar 15 — Jun 7 – Aug 2 80–120
Spaghetti Squash Feb 8 Mar 15 Mar 22 Jun 21 – Jul 19 85–100
Spinach Feb 1 Feb 22 Mar 8 Apr 12 – Jun 14 35–50
Squash (Summer) Feb 8 Mar 15 Mar 22 May 10 – Jul 12 45–65
Squash (Winter) Feb 8 Mar 15 Mar 22 Jun 14 – Aug 9 80–120
Sunchoke — — Mar 22 Jul 12 – Sep 6 110–150
Sunflower Jan 18 Mar 15 Mar 22 May 31 – Jul 19 70–100
Sweet Corn — Mar 15 — May 17 – Jun 28 60–90
Sweet Potatoes Jan 18 Mar 15 Mar 22 Jun 21 – Aug 9 90–120
Tatsoi Feb 1 Feb 22 Mar 8 Apr 12 – May 17 35–50
Tomatillo Jan 18 Mar 15 Mar 22 May 24 – Aug 2 60–85
Tomatoes Jan 18 Mar 15 Mar 22 May 24 – Aug 2 60–85
Turmeric Jan 18 Mar 15 Mar 22 Nov 22 – Dec 6 240–300
Turnip — Feb 22 — Apr 5 – May 10 40–60
Watercress Feb 1 Feb 22 Mar 8 Apr 19 – May 24 40–60
Watermelon Feb 8 Mar 15 Mar 22 May 31 – Jul 19 70–100
Wax Beans — Mar 15 — May 10 – Jul 5 50–65
Winter Melon Jan 18 Mar 15 Mar 22 Jun 21 – Aug 9 90–120
Yard Long Beans Jan 18 Mar 15 Mar 22 May 17 – Jun 28 55–80
Zucchini Feb 8 Mar 15 Mar 22 May 10 – Jul 5 45–60

Fruits for Zone 8a

Plant Start Indoors Direct Sow Transplant Harvest Days to Maturity
Alpine Strawberries — — Mar 29 Jun 28 – Oct 11 90–180
Aronia — — Mar 29 — 730–1095
Blackberries — — Mar 29 — 365–730
Blueberries — — Mar 29 — 730–1095
Boysenberries — — Mar 29 — 365–730
Cantaloupe — — Mar 29 Jun 7 – Jul 12 70–90
Che Fruit — — Mar 29 — 1095–1825
Elderberries — — Mar 29 — 730–1095
Figs — — Mar 29 — 730–1825
Goji Berries — — Mar 29 — 730–1095
Gooseberries — — Mar 29 — 730–1095
Grapes — — Mar 29 — 730–1095
Ground Cherry — — Mar 29 Jun 7 – Aug 2 65–80
Hardy Kiwi — — Mar 29 — 1095–1825
Honeydew — — Mar 29 Jun 21 – Aug 2 80–110
Jostaberry — — Mar 29 — 730–1095
Kiwi — — Mar 29 — 1095–1825
Loquat — — Mar 29 — 730–1825
Medlar — — Mar 29 — 1095–1825
Mulberries — — Mar 29 — 730–1825
Pawpaw — — Mar 29 — 1095–2555
Persimmon — — Mar 29 — 1095–2555
Pomegranate — — Mar 29 — 730–1095
Quince — — Mar 29 — 1095–1825
Raspberries — — Mar 29 — 365–730
Serviceberries — — Mar 29 — 730–1095
Strawberries — — Mar 29 Jun 28 – Dec 13 90–365

Herbs for Zone 8a

Plant Start Indoors Direct Sow Transplant Harvest Days to Maturity
Angelica Feb 1 Feb 22 Mar 1 — 365–730
Anise Feb 1 Feb 22 Mar 1 May 31 – Aug 16 90–120
Basil Jan 18 Mar 15 Mar 22 May 17 – Jul 19 50–75
Bee Balm — — Mar 15 Jun 14 – Aug 30 90–120
Borage Feb 1 Feb 22 Mar 1 Apr 26 – Jun 14 50–60
Caraway Feb 1 Feb 22 Mar 1 — 365–450
Catnip — — Mar 15 May 17 – Jul 19 60–80
Chamomile Feb 1 Feb 22 Mar 1 May 3 – Jul 12 60–90
Chervil Feb 1 Feb 22 Mar 1 Apr 12 – Jun 14 40–60
Chives — — Mar 15 May 17 – Jul 26 60–90
Cilantro Feb 1 Feb 22 Mar 1 Apr 12 – Jun 14 40–60
Comfrey — — Mar 15 May 17 – Jul 26 60–90
Cumin Feb 1 Feb 22 Mar 1 Jun 14 – Aug 16 100–120
Dill Feb 1 Feb 22 Mar 1 Apr 12 – Jun 14 40–60
Echinacea — — Mar 15 Jul 19 – Oct 25 120–180
Epazote Jan 18 Mar 15 Mar 22 May 10 – Jul 5 45–60
Fennel (herb) Feb 1 Feb 22 Mar 1 May 3 – Jul 12 60–90
Feverfew — — Mar 15 Jun 14 – Aug 30 90–120
Garlic Chives — — Mar 15 May 17 – Jul 26 60–90
Horehound — — Mar 15 May 31 – Jul 26 75–90
Hyssop — — Mar 15 May 24 – Jul 26 70–90
Lavender — — Mar 15 Jun 14 – Nov 15 90–200
Lemon Balm — — Mar 15 May 17 – Jul 5 60–70
Lemon Thyme — — Mar 15 May 24 – Jul 26 70–90
Lemon Verbena Jan 18 Mar 15 Mar 22 May 24 – Aug 2 60–90
Lemongrass Jan 18 Mar 15 Mar 22 Jun 7 – Sep 6 75–120
Lovage — — Mar 15 May 24 – Jul 26 70–90
Marjoram — — Mar 15 May 17 – Jul 26 60–90
Mint — — Mar 15 May 17 – Jul 26 60–90
Oregano — — Mar 15 May 17 – Jul 26 60–90
Parsley Feb 1 Feb 22 Mar 1 May 3 – Jul 5 60–80
Rosemary — — Mar 15 Jun 7 – Oct 25 80–180
Rue — — Mar 15 May 24 – Jul 26 70–90
Sage — — Mar 15 May 31 – Jul 26 75–90
Savory — — Mar 15 May 10 – Jul 5 50–70
Sorrel Feb 1 Feb 22 Mar 1 Apr 12 – Jun 14 40–60
Stevia Jan 18 Mar 15 Mar 22 May 24 – Aug 2 60–90
Tarragon — — Mar 15 May 17 – Jul 26 60–90
Thai Basil Jan 18 Mar 15 Mar 22 May 17 – Jul 19 50–75
Thyme — — Mar 15 May 24 – Jul 26 70–90
Valerian — — Mar 15 Jul 19 – Oct 25 120–180
Yarrow — — Mar 15 Jun 14 – Aug 30 90–120

Recommended for Your Garden

🌱
Seed Starting Trays $8-20

Start seeds indoors with reusable cell trays and humidity domes.

Essential for starting seeds indoors before transplanting.

🧪
Soil Test Kit $12-25

Test your soil pH, nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium levels before planting.

Know your soil before you plant for best results.

🔧
Hand Trowel $8-18

Essential garden hand trowel for planting, transplanting, and weeding.

A must-have tool for every gardener.

Frequently Asked Questions

What can I grow in Zone 8a?

Zone 8a supports 184 plants in our database including vegetables, herbs, fruits, and flowers. With a 255-day growing season (last frost ~March 8, first frost ~November 18), you can grow most common garden crops with proper timing.

What is Zone 8a?

USDA Zone 8a has an average annual minimum temperature of 10°F to 15°F.

When is the last frost in Zone 8a?

The average last spring frost in Zone 8a is approximately March 8. The first fall frost averages around November 18, giving a growing season of about 255 days. These dates are based on 50% probability — plan for some year-to-year variation.

Level Up Your Garden

Composting Guide for Homesteaders
Composting Guide for Homesteaders

Turn kitchen scraps and yard waste into black gold. Step-by-step composting for any backyard.

Start Composting →

Monthly Planting Guide for Zone 8a

Other Zones

Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals, University Cooperative Extension planting guides. Planting dates are estimates based on average frost dates — local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.

Follow us online

Contact Us | Privacy Policy | Terms and Conditions