Zone 8b planting calendar
In zone 8b, the last spring frost usually comes around Mar 15 and the first fall frost around Nov 18. Here is what to do each month.
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Open the free planner →January
- Jan 18:
Start bell pepper seeds indoors (or buy plants later) - Jan 18:
Start hot pepper seeds indoors (or buy plants later) - Jan 18:
Start eggplant seeds indoors (or buy plants later) - Jan 18:
Start parsley seeds indoors (or buy plants later) - Jan 18:
Start chives seeds indoors (or buy plants later) - Jan 18:
Start thyme seeds indoors (or buy plants later) - Jan 18:
Start oregano seeds indoors (or buy plants later) - Jan 25:
Start tomato seeds indoors (or buy plants later) - Jan 25:
Start cherry tomato seeds indoors (or buy plants later)
February
- Feb 1:
Sow spinach seeds in the bed - Feb 1:
Start kale seeds indoors (or buy plants later) - Feb 1:
Start broccoli seeds indoors (or buy plants later) - Feb 1:
Start cabbage seeds indoors (or buy plants later) - Feb 1:
Start cauliflower seeds indoors (or buy plants later) - Feb 1:
Sow pea seeds in the bed - Feb 1:
Start basil seeds indoors (or buy plants later) - Feb 8:
Sow radish seeds in the bed - Feb 15:
Sow lettuce seeds in the bed - Feb 15:
Sow arugula seeds in the bed - Feb 15: Plant kale in the bed
- Feb 15:
Plant onion sets in the bed - Feb 15:
Sow green onion seeds in the bed - Feb 15:
Plant strawberries in the bed - Feb 15:
Plant blueberries in the bed (first harvest next year) - Feb 15:
Plant raspberries in the bed (first harvest next year) - Feb 15:
Plant blackberries in the bed (first harvest next year) - Feb 15:
Plant rhubarb in the bed (first harvest next year) - Feb 22: Plant broccoli in the bed
- Feb 22: Plant cabbage in the bed
- Feb 22:
Sow carrot seeds in the bed - Feb 22:
Sow beet seeds in the bed
March
- Mar 1:
Sow swiss chard seeds in the bed - Mar 1: Plant cauliflower in the bed
- Mar 1:
Plant seed potatoes in the bed - Mar 1: Plant parsley in the bed
- Mar 1:
Sow cilantro seeds in the bed - Mar 1: Plant chives in the bed
- Mar 15:
Sow dill seeds in the bed - Mar 15: Plant thyme in the bed
- Mar 15: Plant oregano in the bed
- Mar 22:
Sow bush bean seeds in the bed - Mar 22:
Sow pole bean seeds in the bed - Mar 22:
Plant rosemary in the bed - Mar 22:
Plant figs in the bed (first harvest next year) - Mar 29: Plant tomatoes in the bed
- Mar 29: Plant cherry tomatoes in the bed
- Mar 29: Plant bell peppers in the bed
- Mar 29: Plant hot peppers in the bed
- Mar 29:
Sow cucumber seeds in the bed - Mar 29:
Sow zucchini seeds in the bed - Mar 29:
Sow winter squash seeds in the bed - Mar 29:
Sow sweet corn seeds in the bed - Mar 29: Plant basil in the bed
- Mar 29:
Sow watermelon seeds in the bed - Mar 29:
Sow cantaloupe seeds in the bed
April
- Apr 5: Plant eggplants in the bed
- Apr 5:
Plant sweet potatoes in the bed - Apr 5:
Sow okra seeds in the bed
July
- Jul 15: Start cabbage seeds indoors for a fall crop
- Jul 20: Start broccoli seeds indoors for a fall crop
- Jul 20: Start cauliflower seeds indoors for a fall crop
- Jul 30: Start kale seeds indoors for a fall crop
August
- Aug 26: Plant cabbage again for a fall crop
- Aug 26: Sow carrot seeds again for a fall crop
- Aug 31: Plant broccoli again for a fall crop
- Aug 31: Plant cauliflower again for a fall crop
September
- Sep 5: Sow green onion seeds again for a fall crop
- Sep 5: Sow pea seeds again for a fall crop
- Sep 10: Plant kale again for a fall crop
- Sep 10: Sow swiss chard seeds again for a fall crop
- Sep 10: Sow beet seeds again for a fall crop
- Sep 15: Sow lettuce seeds again for a fall crop
- Sep 15: Sow cilantro seeds again for a fall crop
- Sep 20: Sow spinach seeds again for a fall crop
- Sep 25: Sow arugula seeds again for a fall crop
October
- Oct 7: Sow radish seeds again for a fall crop
- Oct 21:
Plant garlic cloves
Not usually grown outdoors in zone 8b
Lemon (dwarf Meyer). Some of these can be grown in pots and moved indoors for winter.
Dates are estimates based on average frost dates for zone 8b. Your local dates may differ by a week or two.