Zone 8a planting calendar

What to plant in April — zone 8a

Zone 8a averages its last spring frost around March 30 and its first fall frost around November 15. Everything below is timed from those two dates, so it stays useful whether you're planting for summer or for a fall harvest.

Last frost: March 30
First frost: November 15
Winter lows: 10 to 15 °F

Direct sow

  • Bush beanaround Apr 6

    Soil is ready 1 weeks after last frost.

  • Cucumberaround Apr 6

    Soil is ready 1 weeks after last frost.

  • Zucchiniaround Apr 13

    Soil is ready 2 weeks after last frost.

  • Basilaround Apr 13

    Soil is ready 2 weeks after last frost.

  • Sweet cornaround Apr 13

    Soil is ready 2 weeks after last frost.

  • Winter squasharound Apr 13

    Soil is ready 2 weeks after last frost.

  • Basilaround Apr 13

    Soil is ready 2 weeks after last frost.

  • Watermelonaround Apr 13

    Soil is ready 2 weeks after last frost.

  • Cantaloupe / Melonaround Apr 13

    Soil is ready 2 weeks after last frost.

  • Bush beanaround Apr 13

    Warm soil — first summer sowing of bush bean.

  • Cucumberaround Apr 13

    Warm soil — first summer sowing of cucumber.

  • Zucchiniaround Apr 13

    Warm soil — first summer sowing of zucchini.

  • Sweet cornaround Apr 13

    Warm soil — first summer sowing of sweet corn.

  • Basilaround Apr 13

    Warm soil — first summer sowing of basil.

  • Winter squasharound Apr 20

    Warm soil — first summer sowing of winter squash.

  • Beetaround Apr 27

    Warm soil — first summer sowing of beet.

  • Carrotaround Apr 27

    Warm soil — first summer sowing of carrot.

Transplant out

  • Tomatoaround Apr 13

    Safe to set out 2 weeks after last frost. Bury 2/3 of the transplant stem — roots form along the buried stem for a stronger plant.

  • Pepperaround Apr 13

    Safe to set out 2 weeks after last frost. Pinch first flowers on transplants so the plant invests in roots before setting fruit.

  • Cucumberaround Apr 13

    Safe to set out 2 weeks after last frost. Trellis vertically to double yield in the same footprint and cut mildew.

  • Zucchiniaround Apr 13

    Safe to set out 2 weeks after last frost. One plant feeds a family. Pick at 6-8 in for the sweetest fruit.

  • Basilaround Apr 13

    Safe to set out 2 weeks after last frost. Pinch tips weekly. Once flowers open, leaves lose flavor — snip them fast.

  • Winter squasharound Apr 13

    Safe to set out 2 weeks after last frost. Cure 10 days in a warm dry spot after harvest — the skin toughens and storage doubles.

  • Basilaround Apr 13

    Safe to set out 2 weeks after last frost. Pinch flower spikes the moment you see them — leaves stay sweet all season.

  • Oreganoaround Apr 13

    Safe to set out 2 weeks after last frost. Harvest just before flowering for the strongest flavor. Dries beautifully.

  • Thymearound Apr 13

    Safe to set out 2 weeks after last frost. Needs sharp drainage — plant in gravelly soil or a raised bed edge. Never wet feet.

  • Rosemaryaround Apr 13

    Safe to set out 2 weeks after last frost. In zone 6 and below, grow in a pot and overwinter indoors near a south window.

  • Sagearound Apr 13

    Safe to set out 2 weeks after last frost. Prune hard in spring to prevent woody stems and keep the plant productive for 5+ years.

  • Figaround Apr 13

    Safe to set out 2 weeks after last frost. In zone 6, grow in a pot and drag into a garage for winter. 'Chicago Hardy' takes zone 5 with mulch.

  • Watermelonaround Apr 13

    Safe to set out 2 weeks after last frost. Ripe = tendril nearest the fruit is brown and the ground spot has turned buttery yellow.

  • Cantaloupe / Melonaround Apr 13

    Safe to set out 2 weeks after last frost. Ripe fruit slips off the vine with a gentle tug — the smell alone tells you.

Garden care

  • Mulch every bedaround Apr 20

    3-4 in of straw or leaves now holds water, blocks weeds, and cools roots for the whole summer.

  • Set up deep wateringaround Apr 27

    Switch to fewer, longer soaks (1-1.5 in/week at the root) instead of daily sprinkles.

Succession sow

  • Bush beanaround Apr 27

    Sowing 2: replant every 14 days so one planting never has to feed you all season.

  • Sweet cornaround Apr 27

    Sowing 2: replant every 14 days so one planting never has to feed you all season.

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