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USDA Zone 8

Hot summers and short mild winters. Two strong growing seasons, spring and fall.

Climate Overview

What to expect

  • Short, mild winters with light frost
  • Long, hot summers
  • Last frost early-to-mid March; first frost late November
  • Spring and fall are the prime windows; high summer can be brutal

What Grows Well

TomatoesPeppersEggplantOkraCucumbersSquashMelonsSweet potatoesBeansBrassicas (fall)GreensAll herbsFigs

Seeds To Stock

  • Tomatoes
  • Peppers
  • Okra
  • Cucumbers
  • Squash
  • Melons
  • Beans
  • Sweet potatoes
  • Broccoli
  • Kale
  • Lettuce
  • Carrots
  • Beets
  • Peas
  • Garlic
  • Onions
  • Sunflowers

Direct Sow Suggestions

  • Beans
  • Cucumbers
  • Squash
  • Corn
  • Okra
  • Sunflowers
  • Carrots
  • Beets
  • Lettuce (cool months)

Tray Start Suggestions

  • Tomatoes
  • Peppers
  • Eggplant
  • Broccoli (fall)
  • Cabbage (fall)

Monthly Planning

Current month is highlighted. Click any month to see the plan.

USDA Zone 8

JuneThis month

Plant Now

  • Beans (succession)
  • Okra
  • Cowpeas
  • Cucumbers
  • Watermelon
  • Sunflowers

Start In Trays

  • Fall broccoli and cabbage

Harvest

  • Zucchini
  • Beans
  • Cucumbers
  • Early tomatoes
  • Garlic

Prepare Next

  • Order garlic
  • Plan fall garden

Common Challenges

Watch out for

  • Intense summer heat stalling fruit set
  • Humidity and disease in the Southeast
  • Watering through dry summers in the West
  • Timing fall brassicas in lingering heat

Near Anderson, Redding, or Red Bluff, California? Our local guides go a lot deeper than this zone overview.