Zone 8a planting calendar

What to plant in September: zone 8a

A rule-of-thumb starting point for zone 8a: last spring frost around March 30, first fall frost around November 15. Zones are set by winter lows, not frost dates, so two gardens in the same zone can be weeks apart. Measure your ZIP below for dates from your area's own 30-year record.

These are zone-average dates. Check an area-level frost estimate from thirty years of nearby weather history and this calendar retimes itself.
Typical last frost: March 30
Typical first frost: November 15
Winter lows: 10 to 15 °F
Zone 8a Almanac. What growers here actually recorded: sowing weeks, days to first pick, and yields.

Start indoors for fall

  • Kalearound Sep 4

    Seedlings need 4 weeks before they go out for a fall harvest.

Direct sow for fall

  • Spinach2 sowings: Sep 5 and Sep 26

    Succession sowing 3 of 3. Sow every 21 days for a steady cut. Sowing again a few weeks later keeps the harvest coming instead of arriving all at once.

  • Lettuce2 sowings: Sep 5 and Sep 26

    Succession sowing 2 of 3. Sow every 21 days for a steady cut. Sowing again a few weeks later keeps the harvest coming instead of arriving all at once.

  • Parsleyaround Sep 6

    Counts back 70 days from your first frost. Takes a light frost with cover.

  • Cilantroaround Sep 10

    Succession sowing 2 of 3. Sow every 21 days for a steady cut.

  • Bush beanaround Sep 11

    Counts back 55 days from your first frost. Frost-tender: must finish before frost.

  • Peaaround Sep 16

    Counts back 60 days from your first frost. Takes a light frost with cover.

  • Carrotaround Sep 17

    Counts back 70 days from your first frost. Frost-hardy: light freezes sweeten it.

  • Beetaround Sep 21

    Counts back 55 days from your first frost. Takes a light frost with cover.

  • Dillaround Sep 21

    Counts back 45 days from your first frost. Frost-tender: must finish before frost.

  • Radisharound Sep 29

    Succession sowing 3 of 3. Sow every 14 days for a steady cut.

Transplant for fall

  • Broccoliaround Sep 22

    Last safe transplant date to mature (65 days) before frost on 11-15.

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