Gardening in USDA Zone 8a

very long growing season Β· Frost-free ~220-260 days Β· Min temp 10Β°F to 15Β°F

Growing Season
very long
Frost-Free Period
~220-260 days
Min Temperature
10Β°F to 15Β°F

❄️ Frost Dates β€” Zone 8a

Average Last Spring Frost
March 13

Plant warm-weather crops after this date. Check 10-day forecasts before setting out tender plants.

Average First Fall Frost
November 21

Count back from this date to know how long your growing window is.

πŸ“… View Frost Forecast β†’

πŸ“ Where is Zone 8a?

Coastal North Carolina, Georgia, South Carolina, northern Florida, central Texas, parts of New Mexico, Arizona

🌱 Soil & Growing Notes

Sandy soils common in Southeast; calcareous in parts of Texas. Water retention and summer heat are the challenges.

🌱 Plan My Zone 8a Garden β†’

What Grows Well in Zone 8a?

Zone 8a has a very long growing season with roughly ~220-260 days of frost-free weather β€” last spring frost around March 13, first fall frost around November 21. That's enough time for 44+ popular garden plants, from fast-growing leafy greens to longer-season fruiting crops. Below is our curated list of plants that thrive in your zone.

πŸ₯• Best Vegetables for Zone 8a

πŸ…
Cherry Tomato
60-80 days Β· $3.49
πŸ…
Beefsteak Tomato
80-100 days Β· $3.99
πŸ«‘
Bell Pepper
60-90 days Β· $3.49
🌢️
JalapeΓ±o
65-80 days Β· $3.49
πŸ₯’
Cucumber
50-70 days Β· $2.99
πŸ₯’
Zucchini
45-65 days Β· $2.99
πŸŽƒ
Butternut Squash
90-110 days Β· $3.49
πŸŽƒ
Pumpkin
90-120 days Β· $3.49
πŸ†
Eggplant
70-90 days Β· $3.99
πŸ₯¬
Lettuce
30-60 days Β· $2.49
πŸ₯¬
Spinach
35-50 days Β· $2.49
πŸ₯¬
Kale
55-75 days Β· $2.49
πŸ₯¬
Swiss Chard
50-60 days Β· $2.49
πŸ₯¦
Broccoli
60-90 days Β· $2.99
πŸ₯¦
Cauliflower
55-100 days Β· $2.99
πŸ₯¬
Cabbage
70-100 days Β· $2.49
πŸ₯¬
Brussels Sprouts
90-120 days Β· $2.99
πŸ₯•
Carrot
60-80 days Β· $2.49
πŸ₯•
Beet
50-70 days Β· $2.49
πŸ”΄
Radish
22-30 days Β· $1.99
πŸ₯”
Potato
70-120 days Β· $5.99
🍠
Sweet Potato
90-120 days Β· $6.99
πŸ§…
Onion
90-120 days Β· $3.99
πŸ§„
Garlic
90-150 days Β· $8.99
🫘
Green Bean
50-60 days Β· $3.49
🟒
Sugar Snap Peas
55-70 days Β· $3.49
🌽
Sweet Corn
60-100 days Β· $2.99
🌱
Okra
50-65 days Β· $2.99
🌱
Asparagus
730 days Β· $19.99

🌿 Best Herbs for Zone 8a

🌿
Basil
50-75 days
🌿
Cilantro
45-70 days
🌿
Parsley
70-90 days
🌿
Mint
60-90 days
🌿
Rosemary
80-120 days
🌿
Thyme
75-90 days
🌿
Oregano
80-90 days
🌿
Sage
75-90 days
🌿
Chives
60-90 days
🌿
Dill
40-60 days

πŸ“ Best Fruits for Zone 8a

πŸ“
Strawberry
60-90 days
🫐
Blueberry Bush
730 days
πŸ‡
Raspberry
365 days
🫐
Blackberry
365 days
🌱
Rhubarb
365 days

Ready to plan your Zone 8a garden?

Design your plot in under a minute. See exactly what to plant, what it will cost, and how much you'll harvest.

Start Planning β†’

Other USDA Zones