Zone 8 Vegetable Planting and Harvest Chart. Zone 8 has a long growing season of about 210–240 days, with last frost typically around mid-April and first frost around mid-October. This allows for a wide variety of both cool-season and warm-season crops to grow successfully.
Zone 8 Vegetable Planting and Harvest Chart
| Vegetable | Start Indoors | Direct Sow Outdoors | Transplant Outdoors | Harvest Window |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arugula | – | Early February–Oct | – | March–Nov |
| Beets | – | February–July | – | April–Nov |
| Broccoli | Jan–Feb | – | Feb–March | April–Sept |
| Brussels Sprouts | Jan–Feb | – | Feb–March | Aug–Nov |
| Cabbage | Jan–Feb | – | Feb–March | May–Nov |
| Carrots | – | February–July | – | April–Dec |
| Cauliflower | Jan–Feb | – | Feb–March | May–Nov |
| Corn | – | March–June | – | June–Sept |
| Cucumbers | April (optional) | April–June | May–June | June–Oct |
| Kale | Jan–Feb | February–July | Feb–March | March–Dec |
| Lettuce | – | January–Sept | – | March–Nov |
| Onions (sets) | – | February–April | – | May–July |
| Peas | – | February–March | – | April–June |
| Peppers | Jan–Feb | – | March–April | June–Oct |
| Potatoes | – | February–March | – | June–Sept |
| Pumpkins | April (optional) | April–June | May | Sept–Oct |
| Radishes | – | January–Oct | – | March–Nov |
| Spinach | – | January–March, Sept–Oct | – | March–May, Sept–Nov |
| Squash (Summer) | April (optional) | April–June | May–June | June–Oct |
| Squash (Winter) | April (optional) | April–June | May | Sept–Oct |
| Tomatoes | Jan–Feb | – | March–April | July–Oct |
| Turnips | – | February–July | – | April–Nov |
| Zucchini | April (optional) | April–June | May–June | June–Oct |
Zone 8 Gardening Tips:
Frost Dates: Last frost ~April 15; First frost ~October 15 (check local microclimates for accuracy).
Start Seeds Indoors: For heat-loving crops like tomatoes, peppers, and eggplants, start 6–8 weeks before the last frost date.
Cool-Season Crops: Utilize the early and late parts of the season for cool-weather crops like spinach, kale, and peas.
Succession Planting: For crops like lettuce, spinach, and radishes, you can plant successively to extend harvests.
Use Row Covers & Cold Frames: Protect tender crops from unexpected frosts in spring or fall, extending the growing season.