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Growing your vegetables can be a rewarding experience, but it can also be overwhelming, especially if you are a beginner. With so many vegetables to choose from and different planting schedules to follow, it can be challenging to know where to start. Fortunately, we have scoured the internet to bring you the ultimate guide to vegetable gardening in Zone 8. In this article, we will unveil the Zone 8 vegetable planting schedule, so you can grow a bountiful garden with ease!
Zone 8 Vegetable Planting Schedule
Zone 8 is a great place to grow vegetables because it has a long growing season. The last frost date in Zone 8 is usually around April 1st, and the first frost date is around November 1st. This gives you plenty of time to grow a variety of vegetables. Here is a planting schedule for Zone 8:
Please note: This is a general guide and specific dates may vary depending on your microclimate and individual variety. Always double-check your specific frost dates and adjust accordingly.
| Vegetable | Start Indoors (Optional) | Transplant Outdoors | Direct Sow Outdoors | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cool-Season Crops | ||||
| Broccoli | Mid-February | March | February – April | May – June |
| Cauliflower | Mid-February | March | February – April | June – July |
| Kale | Mid-February | March | February – April | March – May, Fall |
| Lettuce | – | March – April, September | February – April, August – September | March – May, October – November |
| Peas | – | February – March, September | February – March, September | April – May, October – November |
| Radishes | – | February – March, August – September | February – April, August – September | March – May, September – October |
| Spinach | – | February – March, September | February – April, August – September | March – May, October – November |
| Swiss Chard | – | March | March – April | May – June |
| Turnips | – | March | March – April | May – June |
| Warm-Season Crops | ||||
| Beans (bush) | – | May – June | May – June | June – August |
| Beans (pole) | – | Mid-May | Mid-May | July – August |
| Corn (sweet) | – | April – May | Mid-May | July – September |
| Cucumbers | – | May – June | Mid-May – June | July – August |
| Eggplant | – | April – May | Mid-May | August – October |
| Melons (cantaloupe, watermelon) | – | May – June | Mid-May – June | August – September |
| Okra | – | May – June | Mid-May – June | July – September |
| Peppers | – | April – May | Mid-May | July – September |
| Squash (summer) | – | May – June | Mid-May – June | July – August |
| Squash (winter) | – | May – June | Mid-May – June | September – October |
| Tomatoes | Mid-February | April – May | Mid-May | July – October |
Spring Planting Schedule
- Start Indoors:
- Tomatoes: Begin sowing tomato seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before the last expected frost date. Transplant seedlings outdoors when all danger of frost has passed.
- Peppers: Start pepper seeds indoors 8-10 weeks before the last expected frost date. Harden off seedlings before transplanting them outside.
- Cucumbers: Sow cucumber seeds indoors 3-4 weeks before the last expected frost date or directly sow seeds into the ground once the soil has warmed up.
- Direct Sow:
- Carrots: Directly sow carrot seeds into well-prepared soil as soon as the ground is workable.
- Lettuce: Sow lettuce seeds directly into the garden as soon as the soil can be worked. Succession plant every few weeks for a continuous harvest.
- Radishes: Directly sow radish seeds into the ground as soon as the soil can be worked. Enjoy the quick-growing radishes in salads and sandwiches!
Summer Planting Schedule
- Warm-Season Crops:
- Beans: Sow bean seeds directly into the garden once the soil has warmed to at least 60°F (15°C). Provide support for climbing varieties.
- Squash: Plant squash seeds or transplants after the last expected frost date when the soil is warm. Give these vigorous growers plenty of space.
- Corn: Sow corn seeds directly into the garden in blocks rather than rows for better pollination.
- Succession Planting:
- Green Beans: Succession plant green beans every 2-3 weeks to ensure a continuous harvest throughout the summer.
- Zucchini: Plant zucchini seeds or transplants every 2-3 weeks for a bountiful supply of this versatile summer squash.
Fall Planting Schedule
- Extend the Season:
- Broccoli: Start broccoli seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before the first expected fall frost. Transplant seedlings outdoors once they are well-established.
- Spinach: Directly sow spinach seeds in late summer for a fall harvest. Protect young plants from extreme heat.
- Brussels Sprouts: Begin Brussels sprouts seeds indoors 10-12 weeks before the first expected fall frost. Transplant seedlings outdoors in late summer.
- Cold-Season Crops:
- Kale: Directly sow kale seeds outdoors in late summer or early fall. Enjoy its nutritious leaves throughout the winter.
- Beets: Sow beet seeds directly into the garden in late summer or early fall. Harvest the roots when they reach the desired size.