FrostCal

Zone 8a Frost Dates & Planting Calendar

USDA Zone 8a has average coldest-winter lows of 10°F to 15°F. Across the 338 cities we track in this zone, the typical last spring frost is around March 28 and the typical first fall frost around November 8.

Winter low 10°F to 15°F
Typical last frost March 28
Typical first frost November 8
Cities 338

Hardiness zones describe winter cold, not frost timing (why that matters). For dates specific to your town, look up your ZIP code.

Zone 8a Planting Calendar

Vegetables
CropStart indoorsDirect sowTransplantFall plantingMaturityNotes
Tomato Jan 31 – Feb 14 — Apr 4 – Apr 11 — 60–85 days Start indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost; transplant out 1-2 weeks after last frost once soil has warmed.
Pepper Jan 17 – Jan 31 — Apr 4 – Apr 18 — 60–90 days Slow to germinate; start indoors 8-10 weeks before last frost. Transplant only once nights stay above 55F, 1-3 weeks after last frost.
Eggplant Jan 17 – Jan 31 — Apr 11 – Apr 18 — 65–85 days Warm-season crop, similar timing to pepper; needs consistently warm soil (65F+) to transplant.
Cucumber Feb 28 – Mar 7 Apr 4 – Apr 11 Apr 4 – Apr 11 — 50–65 days Can be started indoors 3-4 weeks before transplanting, or direct-sown 1-2 weeks after last frost once soil is warm.
Zucchini Mar 7 – Mar 14 Apr 4 – Apr 18 Apr 4 – Apr 11 — 45–55 days Fast-growing squash; direct sow 1-3 weeks after last frost, or start indoors 2-3 weeks early for a head start.
Winter Squash Feb 28 – Mar 7 Apr 4 – Apr 18 Apr 4 – Apr 11 — 80–110 days Long season; direct sow after soil warms, or start indoors 3-4 weeks before last frost in short-season climates.
Pumpkin — Apr 4 – Apr 18 — — 90–120 days Direct sow 1-3 weeks after last frost; back-time from your first fall frost so the 90-120 day maturity window lands before it.
Watermelon Feb 28 – Mar 7 — Apr 11 – Apr 18 — 70–90 days Needs warm soil (65F+); start indoors 3-4 weeks before last frost, transplant 2-3 weeks after last frost.
Cantaloupe Feb 28 – Mar 7 — Apr 11 – Apr 18 — 70–90 days Same warm-soil requirements as watermelon; avoid disturbing roots when transplanting.
Corn — Mar 28 – Apr 11 — — 60–100 days Direct sow at last frost to 2 weeks after, once soil reaches 60F; does not transplant well. Succession sow every 2 weeks.
Green Bean — Mar 28 – Apr 11 — — 50–65 days Direct sow at last frost to 2 weeks after, once soil has warmed; frost-tender, do not rush.
Pea — Feb 14 – Feb 28 — — 55–70 days Cold-hardy; direct sow 4-6 weeks before last frost as soon as soil can be worked.
Lettuce — Feb 28 – Mar 14 — Sep 13 – Sep 27 45–60 days Cold-hardy; direct sow 2-4 weeks before last frost. Also transplantable from indoor starts.
Spinach — Feb 14 – Feb 28 — Sep 13 – Sep 27 40–50 days Very cold-hardy; direct sow 4-6 weeks before last frost as soon as soil can be worked.
Kale — Feb 28 – Mar 14 — Aug 30 – Sep 13 50–65 days Cold-hardy; direct sow 2-4 weeks before last frost or start indoors for earlier transplants.
Arugula — Feb 28 – Mar 14 — Sep 27 – Oct 4 30–40 days Fast-growing, cold-tolerant green; direct sow 2-4 weeks before last frost, succession sow every 2-3 weeks.
Swiss Chard — Mar 7 – Mar 21 — — 50–60 days Fairly cold-hardy; direct sow 1-3 weeks before last frost. Tolerates light frost in fall too.
Broccoli Feb 7 – Feb 21 — Mar 7 – Mar 14 Sep 6 – Sep 13 55–80 days Start indoors 5-7 weeks before last frost; transplant out 2-3 weeks before last frost (hardens off to light frost).
Cauliflower Feb 7 – Feb 21 — Mar 14 – Mar 21 Aug 30 – Sep 6 55–85 days Fussier than broccoli about temperature swings; start indoors 5-7 weeks before last frost, transplant 1-2 weeks before last frost.
Cabbage Feb 7 – Feb 21 — Feb 28 – Mar 14 Aug 30 – Sep 13 60–100 days Cold-hardy; start indoors 5-7 weeks before last frost, transplant 2-4 weeks before last frost.
Brussels Sprouts Feb 7 – Feb 21 — Mar 7 – Mar 21 — 90–110 days Long-season crop best timed to mature after a light fall frost for sweetest flavor; start indoors 5-7 weeks before last frost.
Carrot — Feb 28 – Mar 14 — Aug 16 – Aug 30 60–80 days Direct sow only (does not transplant); sow 2-4 weeks before last frost, as soon as soil can be worked.
Beet — Feb 28 – Mar 14 — Aug 30 – Sep 13 50–65 days Direct sow 2-4 weeks before last frost; tolerates light frost.
Radish — Feb 21 – Mar 7 — Sep 27 – Oct 11 22–30 days Very fast and cold-hardy; direct sow 3-5 weeks before last frost, as soon as soil can be worked.
Turnip — Feb 28 – Mar 14 — Aug 30 – Sep 13 40–60 days Cold-hardy; direct sow 2-4 weeks before last frost.
Onion Jan 17 – Jan 31 — Feb 28 – Mar 14 — 90–120 days Start seeds indoors 8-10 weeks before last frost (or use sets/transplants); set out 2-4 weeks before last frost, very cold-tolerant as seedlings.
Garlic — — — Oct 11 – Oct 25 240–270 days Fall-planted crop only; not planted in spring in most climates.
Potato — Feb 28 – Mar 14 — — 70–120 days Plant seed potatoes 2-4 weeks before last frost, as soon as soil can be worked and is above 45F; light frost on emerging foliage is usually tolerated.
Sweet Potato — — Apr 11 – Apr 25 — 90–120 days Set out slips 2-4 weeks after last frost once soil is thoroughly warm (65F+); very frost/cold sensitive.
Asparagus — — Feb 28 – Mar 14 — 730–1095 days Perennial; plant crowns 2-4 weeks before last frost as soon as soil can be worked. Takes 2-3 years to full production.
Herbs
CropStart indoorsDirect sowTransplantFall plantingMaturityNotes
Basil Feb 14 – Feb 21 — Apr 4 – Apr 11 — 50–70 days Very frost/cold sensitive; start indoors 5-6 weeks before last frost, transplant only after all danger of frost (1-2 weeks after) and nights stay warm.
Cilantro — Mar 7 – Mar 21 — Sep 13 – Sep 27 45–70 days Cool-season, bolts in heat; direct sow 1-3 weeks before last frost, succession sow through spring.
Parsley Jan 31 – Feb 14 — Mar 14 – Mar 21 — 70–90 days Slow to germinate; start indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost, transplant 1-2 weeks before last frost (biennial, cold-tolerant).
Dill — Mar 7 – Mar 21 — — 40–60 days Taprooted, does not transplant well; direct sow 1-3 weeks before last frost, succession sow through summer.
Oregano Jan 31 – Feb 14 — Mar 28 – Apr 4 — 80–90 days Perennial herb; start indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost, transplant around/just after last frost date.
Thyme Jan 31 – Feb 14 — Mar 28 – Apr 4 — 85–95 days Perennial herb, slow from seed; start indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost, transplant around/after last frost.
Flowers
CropStart indoorsDirect sowTransplantFall plantingMaturityNotes
Sunflower — Apr 4 – Apr 18 — — 70–100 days Direct sow 1-3 weeks after last frost once soil has warmed; taprooted, resents transplanting.
Zinnia Feb 28 – Mar 7 Apr 4 – Apr 18 Apr 4 – Apr 11 — 60–70 days Frost-tender; direct sow 1-3 weeks after last frost, or start indoors 3-4 weeks early for earlier blooms.
Marigold Feb 14 – Feb 28 — Apr 4 – Apr 11 — 45–60 days Frost-tender; start indoors 4-6 weeks before last frost, transplant after all frost danger has passed.
Cosmos Feb 28 – Mar 7 Apr 4 – Apr 18 Apr 4 – Apr 11 — 60–90 days Easy from direct seed 1-3 weeks after last frost; can also start indoors 3-4 weeks early.
Nasturtium — Apr 4 – Apr 18 — — 50–65 days Frost-tender, resents root disturbance; direct sow 1-3 weeks after last frost once soil has warmed.
Dahlia — — Apr 4 – Apr 18 — 90–120 days Plant tubers 1-3 weeks after last frost once soil is warm (60F+); very frost-sensitive.

Date ranges are estimates based on university extension guidelines and this city's NOAA frost normals — not a guarantee. Scroll to see all columns on narrow screens.

Cities in Zone 8a

CityLast frostFirst frost
Charlotte, NCMar 30Nov 3
Washington, DCMar 24Nov 18
New South Memphis, TNMar 16Nov 16
Memphis, TNMar 16Nov 16
Baltimore, MDMar 24Nov 21
Atlanta, GAMar 24Nov 8
Raleigh, NCMar 28Nov 8
Greensboro, NCApr 1Nov 4
Durham, NCApr 2Nov 4
Winston-Salem, NCMar 26Nov 9
Huntsville, ALMar 24Nov 8
Little Rock, ARMar 21Nov 10
Birmingham, ALMar 21Nov 11
Chattanooga, TNMar 24Nov 9
Lancaster, CAApr 3Nov 1
Cary, NCMar 28Nov 8
Alexandria, VAApr 3Nov 8
East Chattanooga, TNMar 24Nov 9
Denton, TXMar 13Nov 20
Abilene, TXMar 20Nov 10
High Point, NCMar 30Nov 5
South Fulton, GAMar 15Nov 20
Sandy Springs, GAMar 25Nov 9
Wichita Falls, TXMar 26Nov 9
San Angelo, TXMar 20Nov 10
Portsmouth Heights, VAMar 23Nov 16
Roswell, GAMar 25Nov 9
Greenville, NCMar 27Nov 8
Fort Smith, ARMar 25Nov 6
Suffolk, VAMar 27Nov 15
Concord, NCApr 1Nov 2
Johns Creek, GAMar 25Nov 9
South Suffolk, VAMar 27Nov 15
Gastonia, NCMar 27Nov 9
Rock Hill, SCMar 27Nov 5
Cordova, TNMar 29Nov 5
Jacksonville, NCMar 31Nov 8
North Little Rock, ARMar 21Nov 10
Conway, ARApr 2Nov 2
Greenville, SCMar 28Nov 7

States with Zone 8a cities

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the temperature range for Zone 8a?

Zone 8a is defined by an average annual extreme minimum winter temperature of 10°F to 15°F (USDA 2023 Plant Hardiness Zone Map).

When is the last frost in Zone 8a?

Typically around March 28, though it varies by location. Hardiness zones measure winter cold, not frost timing, so two places in the same zone can have last frosts weeks apart — check your city's page for local dates.

When is the first frost in Zone 8a?

Typically around November 8 across the cities we track in Zone 8a.

Neighboring zones: Zone 7b · Zone 8b · All zones