When is the last frost in USDA Zone 8A?

The average last spring frost in Zone 8A is March 9, with a range from Feb 18 to Mar 25 depending on the specific year. Data from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals.

When is the first fall frost in Zone 8A?

The average first fall frost in Zone 8A is November 20, with a range from Nov 5 to Dec 5.

How long is the growing season in Zone 8A?

The average frost-free growing season in Zone 8A is 255 days, running from approximately March 9 to November 20.

When should I start seeds indoors in Zone 8A?

In Zone 8A, start tomatoes and peppers indoors 8–10 weeks before the last frost date of March 9. That means starting seeds in mid-winter to early spring depending on your specific transplant targets.

USDA Zone 8A

Zone 8A Planting Calendar — March 9 to November 20

Zone 8a is a warm zone where the growing season runs from late February through November. Summer heat above 95°F becomes a management challenge — shade cloth, heat-tolerant variety selection, and deep mulching are important tools. Two strong cool-season windows in spring and fall bracket a hot summer core.

Zone 8A at a glance: Last frost averages March 9 (range Feb 18–Mar 25). First fall frost averages November 20. Growing season is 255 days. Start warm-season crops indoors 6–10 weeks before last frost; transplant after March 9.

Last Spring Frost

March 9

Range: Feb 18 – Mar 25

First Fall Frost

November 20

Range: Nov 5 – Dec 5

Growing Season

255 days

Avg. frost-free window

Winter Low

10° to 15°F

Average minimum temp

Reference City

Dallas, TX

Climate data source

Annual Rainfall

37"

Dry pattern

Zone 8A Planting Calendar — All Crops

Dates based on March 9 average last frost. Start indoors dates assume seed starting under grow lights or in a warm window. All dates are averages — adjust based on your specific microclimate and the current year's weather.

Plant	Type	Start Indoors	Transplant / Direct Sow	Harvest Window
Daikon Radishes	daikon radish	Feb 16	Feb 23 Transplant	Apr 9 – Apr 19
Tatsoi	tatsoi	Jan 26	Feb 9 Transplant	Mar 6 – Mar 26
Texas 1015Y SuperSweet Onion	root	Jan 5	Feb 9 Transplant	May 25 – Jun 4
Acorn Squash	vegetable	—	Mar 9 Plant Out	May 28 – Jun 17
Alexandria Alpine Strawberry	strawberry	Feb 2	Mar 16 Transplant	Jun 24 – Jul 14
Amish Paste Tomatoes	tomato	Feb 23	Mar 23 Transplant	Jun 5 – Jun 16
Anaheim Peppers	pepper	Feb 16	Mar 23 Transplant	Jun 8 – Jun 16
Armenian Cucumber	cucumber	Mar 2	Mar 16 Transplant	May 15 – May 25
Astro Arugula	vegetable	—	Mar 9 Plant Out	Mar 30 – Apr 18
Aunt Molly's Ground Cherry	vegetable	—	Mar 9 Plant Out	May 18 – Jun 7
Baby Cakes Blackberry	blackberry	—	Mar 16 Plant Out	Mar 16 – May 15
Banana Peppers	pepper	Feb 23	Mar 30 Transplant	May 29 – Jun 8
Bay Laurel	bay laurel	—	Mar 16 Plant Out	May 15 – Mar 16
Beauregard Sweet Potato	root	—	Mar 16 Direct Sow	Jun 14 – Jun 29
Bee Balm	flower	—	Mar 9 Plant Out	—
Beefsteak Tomatoes	tomato	Mar 16	Mar 23 Transplant	Jun 11 – Jun 16
Better Boy Tomatoes	tomato	Mar 2	Mar 23 Transplant	Jun 1 – Jun 6
Bhut Jolokia Ghost Pepper	pepper	Feb 16	Mar 23 Transplant	Jun 21 – Jul 21
Big Jim Hatch Chile	pepper	Feb 16	Mar 23 Transplant	Jun 1 – Jun 6
Black Beauty Eggplant	vegetable	—	Mar 9 Plant Out	May 23 – Jun 7
Black Beauty Zucchini	vegetable	Feb 20	Mar 20 Transplant	May 4 – May 14
Black Cherry Tomato	tomato	Feb 23	Mar 23 Transplant	May 26 – Jun 6
Black Krim Tomatoes	tomato	Mar 16	Mar 23 Transplant	Jun 6 – Jun 11
Black Oil Sunflower Microgreens	sunflower microgreens	Mar 16	Mar 23 Transplant	Mar 30 – Apr 4
Black-Eyed Pea	vegetable	—	Mar 9 Plant Out	May 13 – May 18
Black-Eyed Susan	flower	—	Mar 9 Plant Out	—
Bloomsdale Longstanding Spinach	vegetable	—	Mar 9 Plant Out	Apr 23 – Apr 30
Blue Lake Bush Bean	vegetable	—	Mar 9 Plant Out	Apr 28 – May 6
Bok Choy	vegetable	—	Mar 9 Plant Out	Apr 23 – May 8
Borage	flower	—	Mar 9 Plant Out	May 3 – May 23
Brandywine Tomatoes	tomato	Mar 16	Mar 23 Transplant	Jun 11 – Jun 21
Brilliant Celeriac	celeriac	Jan 26	Mar 9 Transplant	Jun 27 – Jul 7
Broccolini	vegetable	Feb 16	Mar 23 Transplant	May 12 – Jun 1
Brussels Sprouts	vegetable	Feb 16	Mar 23 Transplant	Jun 16 – Jul 11
Buckwheat	cover crop	—	Mar 9 Plant Out	Apr 8 – Apr 23
Butterhead Lettuce	vegetable	—	Mar 9 Plant Out	Apr 28 – May 13
Butternut Squash	vegetable	Feb 23	Mar 23 Transplant	Jul 1 – Jul 21
Calendula	flower	—	Mar 9 Plant Out	Apr 28 – May 8
California Wonder Peppers	pepper	Feb 23	Mar 30 Transplant	Jun 10 – Jun 13
Calypso Cilantro	herb	—	Mar 9 Plant Out	Apr 28 – May 3
Cantaloupe	vegetable	Feb 23	Mar 23 Transplant	Jun 11 – Jun 21
Caribbean Red Scotch Bonnet Pepper	pepper	Feb 16	Mar 23 Transplant	Jun 26 – Jul 21
Cayenne Peppers	pepper	Feb 16	Mar 23 Transplant	Jun 16 – Jun 26
Celebrity Tomatoes	tomato	Mar 16	Mar 23 Transplant	Jun 1 – Jun 3
Celeste Fig	fig	—	Mar 23 Plant Out	Mar 23 – Mar 22
Cherokee Purple Tomatoes	tomato	Mar 16	Mar 23 Transplant	Jun 9 – Jun 16
Cherry Belle Radish	root	—	Mar 16 Direct Sow	Apr 6 – Apr 15
Chicago Hardy Fig	fig	—	Mar 23 Plant Out	Mar 23 – Mar 22
Chinese Broccoli (Gai Lan)	vegetable	—	Mar 9 Plant Out	Apr 8 – Apr 28
Chioggia Beet	root	—	Mar 16 Direct Sow	May 10 – May 20
Chives	herb	—	Mar 9 Plant Out	May 8 – May 23
Clemson Spineless Okra	vegetable	—	Mar 9 Plant Out	May 3 – May 12
Common Sage	herb	—	Mar 9 Plant Out	May 23 – Jun 7
Contender Bush Bean	vegetable	—	Mar 9 Plant Out	Apr 23 – May 3
Corno di Toro Pepper	pepper	Feb 16	Mar 23 Transplant	Jun 6 – Jun 11
Cosmic Purple Carrot	root	—	Mar 16 Direct Sow	May 13 – May 30
Cosmos	flower	—	Mar 9 Plant Out	May 18 – Jun 7
Crimson Clover	cover crop	—	Mar 9 Plant Out	May 8 – Jun 7
Crimson Sweet Watermelon	vegetable	—	Mar 9 Plant Out	May 28 – Jun 7
Cubanelle Peppers	pepper	Feb 23	Mar 30 Transplant	May 31 – Jun 8
Culinary Turmeric	turmeric	Mar 2	Mar 30 Transplant	Nov 25 – Jan 24
Cupid Grape Tomato	tomato	Mar 2	Mar 23 Transplant	May 27 – Jun 1
Curly Kale	vegetable	—	Mar 9 Plant Out	May 3 – May 13
Curly Parsley	herb	Feb 2	Mar 9 Transplant	May 18 – May 28
Danvers Carrot	root	—	Mar 16 Direct Sow	May 25 – Jun 4
Delicata Squash	vegetable	—	Mar 9 Plant Out	May 28 – Jun 17
Detroit Dark Red Beet	root	—	Mar 16 Direct Sow	May 10 – May 15
Dill	herb	—	Mar 9 Plant Out	Apr 18 – May 3
Dragon Tongue Bean	vegetable	—	Mar 9 Plant Out	May 3 – May 8
Early Girl Tomatoes	tomato	Mar 16	Mar 23 Transplant	May 14 – May 24
Echinacea	flower	—	Mar 9 Plant Out	—
Edamame	vegetable	—	Mar 9 Plant Out	May 23 – Jun 12
Eight Ball Zucchini	zucchini	Mar 2	Mar 16 Transplant	Apr 30 – May 10
Endive / Escarole	vegetable	—	Mar 9 Plant Out	Apr 23 – May 13
English Lavender	herb	—	Mar 9 Plant Out	Jun 7 – Jul 7
English Lavender	flower	—	Mar 9 Plant Out	—
English Thyme	herb	—	Mar 16 Plant Out	May 25 – Jun 14
Epazote	epazote	Feb 23	Mar 16 Transplant	May 10 – May 20
Fall Rutabagas	rutabaga	—	Mar 9 Plant Out	Jun 2 – Jun 17
Fava Bean	vegetable	—	Mar 9 Plant Out	May 23 – Jun 17
Flat-Leaf Parsley	herb	Feb 2	Mar 9 Transplant	May 18 – Jun 7
French Breakfast Radish	root	—	Mar 16 Direct Sow	Apr 6 – Apr 13
French Marigold	flower	—	Mar 9 Plant Out	Apr 28 – May 8
French Tarragon	herb	—	Mar 9 Plant Out	May 8 – May 28
Fresno Peppers	pepper	Feb 16	Mar 23 Transplant	Jun 6 – Jun 11
Garlic Chives	herb	—	Mar 9 Plant Out	May 8 – May 23
Genovese Basil	herb	Feb 23	Mar 23 Transplant	May 22 – Jun 1
Georgia Southern Collard Greens	vegetable	—	Mar 9 Plant Out	May 8 – May 28
German Chamomile	herb	—	Mar 9 Plant Out	May 8 – May 13
Ginger	ginger	Mar 2	Mar 30 Transplant	Nov 25 – Jan 24
Gold Rush Zucchini	zucchini	Mar 2	Mar 16 Transplant	Apr 30 – May 5
Golden Beet	root	—	Mar 16 Direct Sow	May 10 – May 20
Greek Oregano	herb	—	Mar 16 Plant Out	May 15 – Jun 4
Green Cabbage	vegetable	Feb 16	Mar 23 Transplant	May 22 – Jul 1
Green Fingers Persian Cucumber	cucumber	Mar 2	Mar 16 Transplant	May 10 – May 15
Green Onion	vegetable	—	Mar 9 Plant Out	May 8 – Jun 7
Green Zebra Tomatoes	tomato	Mar 16	Mar 23 Transplant	Jun 6 – Jun 9
Habanero Pepper	pepper	Feb 16	Mar 30 Transplant	Jun 28 – Jul 28
Heirloom Red Kuri Squash	winter squash	Mar 2	Mar 16 Transplant	Jun 14 – Jun 24
Herb Fennel	herb	—	Mar 9 Plant Out	May 8 – May 18
Heritage Raspberry	raspberry	—	Mar 16 Plant Out	Mar 16 – May 15
Honeydew Melon	vegetable	Feb 23	Mar 23 Transplant	Jul 1 – Jul 16
Horseradish	vegetable	—	Mar 9 Plant Out	Jul 27 – Aug 16
Hungarian Hot Wax Pepper	pepper	Feb 16	Mar 23 Transplant	May 27 – Jun 6
Imperial Star Artichoke	artichoke	Feb 2	Mar 9 Transplant	Jun 7 – Jun 17
Improved Meyer Lemon	meyer lemon	—	Mar 23 Plant Out	Mar 22
Jack O'Lantern Pumpkin	vegetable	—	Mar 9 Plant Out	Jun 7 – Jun 27
Jalapeño Peppers	pepper	Feb 16	Mar 23 Transplant	May 27 – Jun 6
Japanese Eggplant	vegetable	—	Mar 9 Plant Out	Apr 28 – May 13
Jersey Knight Asparagus	vegetable	—	Mar 9 Plant Out	Mar 8
Jimmy Nardello Peppers	pepper	Feb 23	Mar 30 Transplant	Jun 18 – Jun 28
Juliet Tomatoes	tomato	Mar 2	Mar 23 Transplant	May 21 – May 23
Kentucky Wonder Pole Bean	vegetable	—	Mar 9 Plant Out	May 6 – May 18
King Arthur Peppers	pepper	Feb 23	Mar 30 Transplant	May 31 – Jun 6
Lacinato Kale	vegetable	—	Mar 9 Plant Out	May 8 – May 13
Leaf Lettuce Mix	vegetable	—	Mar 9 Plant Out	Apr 23 – May 3
Leek	vegetable	—	Mar 9 Plant Out	Jun 17 – Jul 17
Lemon Balm	herb	—	Mar 9 Plant Out	Apr 23 – May 8
Lemon Cucumber	vegetable	—	Mar 9 Plant Out	May 8 – May 18
Lemon Verbena	lemon verbena	—	Mar 16 Plant Out	Jun 14 – Jul 14
Lemongrass	herb	—	Mar 9 Plant Out	May 23 – Jun 17
Lima Bean	vegetable	—	Mar 9 Plant Out	May 8 – May 28
Lunchbox Mini Peppers	pepper	Feb 23	Mar 30 Transplant	May 24 – May 29
Mammoth Sunflower	flower	—	Mar 9 Plant Out	May 13 – May 28
Marketmore 76 Cucumber	vegetable	Feb 23	Mar 23 Transplant	May 20 – May 30
Mesclun Mix	vegetable	—	Mar 9 Plant Out	Mar 30 – Apr 8
Midnight Snack Tomato	tomato	Feb 23	Mar 23 Transplant	May 27 – Jun 1
Mizuna	vegetable	—	Mar 9 Plant Out	Apr 18 – Apr 28
Mortgage Lifter Tomatoes	tomato	Mar 16	Mar 23 Transplant	Jun 11 – Jun 16
Mountain Magic Tomatoes	tomato	Mar 16	Mar 23 Transplant	Jun 3 – Jun 6
Mrs. Burns Lemon Basil	basil	Feb 16	Mar 16 Transplant	May 15 – May 25
Mucho Nacho Jalapeño Peppers	pepper	Feb 23	Mar 23 Transplant	May 30 – Jun 1
Mustard Greens	vegetable	—	Mar 9 Plant Out	Apr 13 – Apr 28
Mâche (Corn Salad)	vegetable	—	Mar 9 Plant Out	May 8 – Jun 1
Nagami Kumquat	kumquat	—	Mar 23 Plant Out	Mar 22
Nantes Carrot	root	—	Mar 16 Direct Sow	May 17 – May 30
Napa Cabbage	vegetable	—	Mar 9 Plant Out	May 18 – Jun 7
Nasturtium	flower	—	Mar 9 Plant Out	Apr 28 – May 13
National Pickling Cucumber	vegetable	—	Mar 9 Plant Out	Apr 28 – May 6
New Zealand Spinach	new zealand spinach	Mar 2	Mar 16 Transplant	May 5 – May 15
Orion Florence Fennel	fennel	Feb 23	Mar 16 Transplant	Jun 4 – Jun 14
Ozark Beauty Strawberry	strawberry	—	Mar 16 Plant Out	May 15 – Jun 14
Padron Peppers	pepper	Feb 23	Mar 30 Transplant	May 29 – Jun 3
Parsnip	root	—	Mar 16 Direct Sow	Jun 24 – Jul 24
Patio Princess Tomatoes	tomato	Mar 2	Mar 23 Transplant	May 27 – Jun 1
Patriot Blueberry	blueberry	—	Mar 16 Plant Out	Mar 15
Pattypan Squash	vegetable	—	Mar 9 Plant Out	Apr 25 – May 3
Peppermint	herb	—	Mar 9 Plant Out	Apr 8 – Apr 23
Pinkeye Purple Hull Pea	cowpea	Jan 26	Mar 23 Transplant	May 17 – May 30
Poblano Peppers	pepper	Feb 16	Mar 23 Transplant	May 27 – Jun 6
Popcorn	vegetable	—	Mar 9 Plant Out	Jun 2 – Jul 7
Provider Bush Bean	vegetable	—	Mar 9 Plant Out	Apr 28 – May 3
Purple Basil	herb	Feb 23	Mar 23 Transplant	Jun 1 – Jun 16
Radicchio	vegetable	—	Mar 9 Plant Out	May 8 – Jun 2
Rambo Radish Microgreens	radish microgreens	Mar 16	Mar 23 Transplant	Mar 29 – Apr 2
Raspberry Shortcake Raspberry	raspberry	—	Mar 16 Plant Out	Mar 16 – May 15
Red Cabbage	vegetable	Feb 16	Mar 23 Transplant	Jun 1 – Jul 11
Red Leaf Lettuce	vegetable	—	Mar 9 Plant Out	Apr 23 – May 3
Red Pontiac Potato	root	—	Mar 16 Direct Sow	Jun 14 – Jul 4
Red Russian Kale	vegetable	—	Mar 9 Plant Out	Apr 28 – May 8
Red-Stem Malabar Spinach	malabar spinach	Mar 2	Mar 23 Transplant	May 17 – Jun 1
Rhubarb	vegetable	—	Mar 9 Plant Out	Mar 9 – Mar 8
Roma VF Tomatoes	tomato	Mar 16	Mar 23 Transplant	Jun 6 – Jun 11
Romaine Lettuce	vegetable	—	Mar 9 Plant Out	May 13 – May 23
Romanesco	vegetable	Feb 16	Mar 23 Transplant	Jun 6 – Jul 1
Rosemary	herb	—	Mar 23 Plant Out	Jun 11 – Jul 1
Rutgers Tomato	tomato	Feb 23	Mar 23 Transplant	Jun 1 – Jun 11
San Marzano Tomatoes	tomato	Mar 16	Mar 23 Transplant	Jun 9 – Jun 19
Scarlet Runner Bean	vegetable	—	Mar 9 Plant Out	May 8 – May 18
Seascape Strawberry	strawberry	—	Mar 16 Plant Out	May 30 – Jun 14
Serrano Peppers	pepper	Feb 16	Mar 23 Transplant	Jun 1 – Jun 11
Shallot	vegetable	—	Mar 9 Plant Out	Jun 7 – Jul 7
Shelling Pea	vegetable	—	Mar 9 Plant Out	May 3 – May 18
Shishito Peppers	pepper	Feb 23	Mar 30 Transplant	May 29 – Jun 3
Silver Queen Sweet Corn	vegetable	—	Mar 9 Plant Out	Jun 7 – Jun 9
Snow Crown Cauliflower	vegetable	Feb 16	Mar 23 Transplant	May 12 – May 22
Snow Pea	vegetable	—	Mar 9 Plant Out	Apr 30 – May 18
Softneck Garlic	root	—	Mar 16 Direct Sow	Nov 11 – Dec 11
Spacemaster Bush Cucumber	cucumber	Mar 2	Mar 16 Transplant	May 15 – May 20
Spaghetti Squash	vegetable	—	Mar 9 Plant Out	Jun 5 – Jun 17
Spearmint	herb	—	Mar 9 Plant Out	Apr 8 – Apr 23
Speckled Pea Shoot Microgreens	pea shoot microgreens	Mar 16	Mar 23 Transplant	Mar 31 – Apr 6
Stevia	herb	—	Mar 9 Plant Out	Jun 7 – Jul 7
Straight Eight Cucumber	cucumber	Mar 2	Mar 16 Transplant	May 15 – May 20
Sugar Baby Watermelon	vegetable	Feb 23	Mar 23 Transplant	Jun 6 – Jun 11
Sugar Pie Pumpkin	vegetable	—	Mar 9 Plant Out	Jun 7 – Jun 27
Sugar Snap Pea	vegetable	—	Mar 9 Plant Out	May 3 – May 18
Sun Gold Tomatoes	tomato	Mar 2	Mar 23 Transplant	May 19 – May 27
Sunshine Blue Blueberry	blueberry	—	Mar 16 Plant Out	Mar 15
Sunshine Kabocha Squash	winter squash	Mar 2	Mar 16 Transplant	Jun 19 – Jun 24
Supersweet 100 Tomatoes	tomato	Mar 2	Mar 23 Transplant	May 22 – May 27
Sweet 100 Tomatoes	tomato	Mar 2	Mar 23 Transplant	May 22 – May 27
Sweet Alyssum	flower	—	Mar 9 Plant Out	Apr 18 – May 3
Sweet Marjoram	marjoram	Feb 16	Mar 16 Transplant	May 30 – Jun 14
Sweet Million Tomato	tomato	Feb 23	Mar 23 Transplant	May 22 – May 27
Swiss Chard	vegetable	—	Mar 9 Plant Out	Apr 28 – May 8
Tall Utah 52-70 Celery	vegetable	—	Mar 9 Plant Out	Jun 17 – Jul 17
Thai Basil	herb	Feb 23	Mar 23 Transplant	May 22 – May 27
Thai Hot Peppers	pepper	Feb 16	Mar 23 Transplant	Jun 6 – Jun 16
Tiny Tim Tomato	tomato	Feb 23	Mar 23 Transplant	May 7 – May 17
Tomatillo	vegetable	—	Mar 9 Plant Out	May 8 – Jun 2
Top Hat Blueberry	blueberry	—	Mar 16 Plant Out	Mar 15
Tumbling Tom Red Tomato	tomato	Feb 23	Mar 23 Transplant	May 27 – Jun 1
Turnip	root	—	Mar 16 Direct Sow	May 5 – May 15
Waltham 29 Broccoli	vegetable	Feb 16	Mar 23 Transplant	Jun 6 – Jun 21
Watermelon Radish	root	—	Mar 16 Direct Sow	May 5 – May 20
Winner Kohlrabi	vegetable	—	Mar 9 Plant Out	Apr 23 – Apr 28
Yard Long Bean	vegetable	—	Mar 9 Plant Out	May 8 – Jun 7
Yarrow	flower	—	Mar 9 Plant Out	—
Yellow Crookneck Squash	vegetable	—	Mar 9 Plant Out	Apr 28 – May 8
Yellow Pear Tomatoes	tomato	Mar 2	Mar 23 Transplant	Jun 1 – Jun 9
Yukon Gold Potato	root	—	Mar 16 Direct Sow	Jun 4 – Jun 24
Zinnia	flower	—	Mar 9 Plant Out	May 8 – Jun 7
Garlic	garlic	Sep 3	Sep 10 Transplant	May 8 – Jun 7

Browse Zone 8A by Month

See exactly what to plant, transplant, and harvest each month in Zone 8A.

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Zone 8A Growing Tips

Average last spring frost is March 9 and first fall frost is November 20 — these are the anchor dates your entire planting schedule is built around.
Extreme heat is the primary growing challenge. Many crops stall or stop producing when highs exceed 95°F for extended periods.
Very dry June-August with occasional severe thunderstorms. Supplemental irrigation essential.
Disease pressure in this zone is moderate. Primary risks include early blight, powdery mildew, root knot nematode. Proper plant spacing, air circulation, and avoiding overhead watering significantly reduce disease incidence.
Fall cool-season crops (lettuce, spinach, kale, radishes) should go in the ground between September 1 and October 15 for harvest before hard frost arrives.

States in Zone 8A

Zone 8A spans parts of these states. Note that zone boundaries run within states — check your specific ZIP code for your exact zone.

Texas (north central) Louisiana (north) Mississippi (north) Alabama Georgia South Carolina North Carolina (coast) Florida (panhandle) California (central valley north) Oregon (south coast)

Zone 7B Zone 8A Calendar Zone 8B

Get Your Personalized Zone 8A Calendar

SoilStack generates a custom planting schedule from your exact ZIP code — not just your zone. Enter your address and get a day-by-day calendar with task reminders.

Build My Garden Calendar — Free

Frost dates from NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals via NOAA 1991-2020 Climate Normals, NWS Fort Worth (FWD). Growing season data from Texas A&M AgriLife Extension. Planting dates are averages based on zone frost dates and standard horticultural timing — adjust for your local microclimate.