Success in gardening depends too much on planting specific plants or seeds at the right time. This article is dedicated to Zone 8 gardeners who are looking for planting charts. These planting schedule charts will cover the best planting times for vegetables, flowering plants, herbs, fruits, and berries.
On the internet, most of the planting charts are incomplete or not well-organized. To make this resource more useful, I have included both table-format charts and visual charts.
As this is a full-year complete planting schedule, the charts are categorized into the following categories:
- Leafy greens
- Vegetables and Roots
- Flowering Plants
- Herbs
- Berries and fruit trees
All the necessary information before you start planting is included in the planting schedule tables. You might need to scroll the charts side-wise on small-screen devices to read the full data.
Want a printable version of these charts? Just subscribe to this site as a premium member and I will send it to you. The subscription button can be found in the menu bar as well. (As it really takes a huge amount of time to create these visual planting charts and tables for Zone 8. Your subscription really matters to me.)
Leafy greens
The following chart includes all the major leafy greens we can grow in Zone 8 with planting time, planting method, transplanting time, and variety recommendations.
| Plant | Planting Time (Date Range) | Planting Method | Transplanting Time | Variety Suggestions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spinach | Feb 15 - Mar 15, Sep 1 - Oct 15 | Direct seed | Not applicable | Bloomsdale, Space, Giant Winter |
| Lettuce | Feb 1 - Mar 30, Sep 15 - Nov 15 | Direct seed or transplant | 3-4 weeks after seeding | Buttercrunch, Romaine, Red Sails |
| Kale | Feb 1 - Mar 15, Aug 15 - Oct 1 | Direct seed or transplant | 4-6 weeks after seeding | Lacinato, Red Russian, Winterbor |
| Swiss Chard | Feb 15 - Apr 1, Aug 15 - Oct 15 | Direct seed | Not applicable | Bright Lights, Fordhook Giant, Ruby Red |
| Arugula | Feb 1 - Apr 1, Sep 1 - Oct 30 | Direct seed | Not applicable | Rocket, Astro, Wild Arugula |
| Collard Greens | Feb 1 - Mar 30, Aug 1 - Sep 30 | Direct seed or transplant | 4-6 weeks after seeding | Georgia Southern, Vates, Top Bunch |
| Mustard Greens | Feb 1 - Apr 1, Sep 1 - Nov 1 | Direct seed | Not applicable | Southern Giant Curled, Red Giant, Florida Broadleaf |
| Endive | Feb 1 - Mar 15, Sep 15 - Oct 30 | Direct seed or transplant | 4-6 weeks after seeding | Frisée, Batavian, Escarole |
| Bok Choy | Feb 15 - Apr 1, Aug 15 - Oct 1 | Direct seed or transplant | 3-4 weeks after seeding | Tatsoi, Mei Qing Choi, Joi Choi |
| Watercress | Mar 1 - Apr 15, Sep 1 - Oct 15 | Direct seed in wet soil | Not applicable | Aquatic, Nasturtium officinale |
| Mizuna | Feb 15 - Apr 15, Aug 15 - Oct 15 | Direct seed | Not applicable | Early Mizuna, Red Streaked, Kyoto |
Here is the visual chart:
Vegetables & Root Crops Planting Schedule - Zone 8
| Plant | Planting Time (Date Range) | Planting Method | Transplanting Time | Variety Suggestions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tomato | Mar 1 - May 1 | Start indoors & transplant | 6-8 weeks after seeding | Beefsteak, Roma, Sungold |
| Bell Pepper | Mar 1 - May 15 | Start indoors & transplant | 6-8 weeks after seeding | California Wonder, Big Red, Orange Sun |
| Carrot | Feb 1 - Apr 30, Aug 1 - Sep 30 | Direct seed | Not applicable | Danvers, Nantes, Purple Haze |
| Radish | Feb 1 - Apr 30, Sep 1 - Nov 30 | Direct seed | Not applicable | Cherry Belle, French Breakfast, Daikon |
| Potato | Feb 1 - Mar 15 | Plant seed potatoes | Not applicable | Yukon Gold, Red Pontiac, Russet |
| Luffa | Apr 1 - Jun 1 | Direct seed or start indoors | 4-6 weeks after seeding | Smooth Luffa, Ridged Luffa |
| Onion | Jan 1 - Mar 15, Sep 1 - Nov 1 | Direct seed or sets | Not applicable | Yellow Granex, Red Creole, Walla Walla |
| Garlic | Sep 15 - Nov 15 | Plant cloves | Not applicable | Softneck, Hardneck, Elephant |
| Beets | Feb 1 - Apr 30, Sep 1 - Nov 1 | Direct seed | Not applicable | Detroit Dark Red, Golden, Chioggia |
| Sweet Corn | Mar 1 - May 15 | Direct seed | Not applicable | Silver Queen, Peaches & Cream, Honey Select |
| Green Beans | Mar 15 - Jun 30, Aug 1 - Sep 15 | Direct seed | Not applicable | Blue Lake, Kentucky Wonder, Contender |
| Peas | Jan 15 - Mar 15, Sep 1 - Oct 15 | Direct seed | Not applicable | Snap Pea, Sugar Ann, Wando |
| Cucumber | Apr 1 - Jun 1 | Direct seed or transplant | 3-4 weeks after seeding | Marketmore, Straight Eight, Lemon |
| Squash (Zucchini) | Mar 15 - Jun 30 | Direct seed | Not applicable | Black Beauty, Costata Romanesco, Golden |
| Pumpkin | Apr 1 - Jun 1 | Direct seed | Not applicable | Jack O'Lantern, Sugar Pie, Atlantic Giant |
| Eggplant | Mar 1 - May 1 | Start indoors & transplant | 6-8 weeks after seeding | Black Beauty, Ichiban, Rosa Bianca |
| Turnip | Feb 1 - Apr 15, Sep 1 - Nov 1 | Direct seed | Not applicable | Purple Top, Tokyo Cross, Golden Ball |
| Sweet Potato | Apr 1 - Jun 1 | Plant slips | Not applicable | Beauregard, Jewel, Covington |
Flowering Plants Planting Schedule Chart for Zone 8
| Plant | Planting Time (Date Range) | Blooming Time | Perennial or Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marigold | Mar 1 - May 15 | May - Oct | Annual |
| Zinnia | Mar 15 - Jun 30 | Jun - Sep | Annual |
| Sunflower | Apr 1 - Jul 1 | Jul - Sep | Annual |
| Petunia | Feb 15 - May 1 | Apr - Oct | Annual |
| Cosmos | Mar 15 - Jun 30 | Jun - Sep | Annual |
| Snapdragon | Sep 1 - Oct 30, Feb 1 - Mar 15 | Mar - Jun | Annual |
| Lavender | Feb 1 - Apr 1, Sep 1 - Oct 15 | May - Jul | Perennial |
| Echinacea (Coneflower) | Mar 1 - May 1 | Jun - Sep | Perennial |
| Black-eyed Susan | Mar 1 - May 15 | Jun - Sep | Perennial |
| Dahlia | Mar 15 - May 1 | Jul - Oct | Perennial (Tender) |
| Salvia | Feb 15 - Apr 1 | May - Oct | Perennial |
| Chrysanthemum | Mar 1 - May 1 | Sep - Nov | Perennial |
| Coreopsis | Mar 1 - May 15 | May - Aug | Perennial |
| Geranium | Feb 1 - Apr 15 | Apr - Oct | Perennial |
| Aster | Mar 1 - May 1 | Aug - Oct | Perennial |
| SunPatiens | Mar 1 - May 30 | May - Oct | Annual |
| Vinca | Mar 1 - Jun 30 | May - Sep | Annual |
| Sweet Alyssum | Feb 15 - May 1, Sep 1 - Oct 30 | Apr - Jun, Sep - Nov | Annual |
Herbs Planting Schedule for Zone 8
| Herb | Planting Time (Date Range) | Planting Method | Perennial or Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basil | Apr 1 - May 15 | Direct seed or transplant | Annual |
| Oregano | Mar 1 - Apr 30 | Start indoors or direct seed | Perennial |
| Thyme | Mar 1 - Apr 30 | Start indoors or direct seed | Perennial |
| Rosemary | Feb 15 - Apr 1 | Transplant or cuttings | Perennial |
| Parsley | Feb 15 - Apr 30, Sep 1 - Oct 15 | Direct seed or transplant | Biennial (Grown as Annual) |
| Cilantro | Feb 1 - Apr 1, Sep 1 - Oct 30 | Direct seed | Annual |
| Dill | Mar 1 - May 1 | Direct seed | Annual |
| Chives | Feb 1 - Apr 1 | Start indoors or direct seed | Perennial |
| Sage | Feb 15 - Apr 1 | Transplant or cuttings | Perennial |
| Tarragon | Mar 1 - Apr 15 | Transplant or cuttings | Perennial |
| Mint | Feb 1 - Apr 30 | Transplant or cuttings | Perennial |
| Fennel | Mar 1 - Apr 30 | Direct seed | Perennial |
| Lavender | Feb 1 - Apr 1 | Transplant or cuttings | Perennial |
| Marjoram | Mar 1 - May 1 | Direct seed or transplant | Annual |
| Lemon Balm | Mar 1 - Apr 30 | Transplant or cuttings | Perennial |
Berries and Fruit trees planting schedule chart - Zone 8
| Fruit/Berry | Planting Time (Date Range) | Max Height | Variety Recommendations | Perennial or Annual |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Strawberry | Sep 15 - Nov 15 | 6-12 inches | Chandler, Sweet Charlie, Albion | Perennial |
| Blueberry | Dec 1 - Feb 28 | 4-6 feet | Rabbiteye (Brightwell, Climax, Tifblue) | Perennial |
| Raspberry | Dec 1 - Feb 28 | 4-6 feet | Heritage, Dorman Red, Fall Gold | Perennial |
| Blackberry | Dec 1 - Feb 28 | 4-8 feet | Apache, Arapaho, Ouachita | Perennial |
| Fig | Jan 15 - Mar 15 | 10-20 feet | Celeste, Brown Turkey, LSU Gold | Perennial |
| Apple | Jan 1 - Mar 15 | 12-20 feet | Anna, Dorsett Golden, Fuji | Perennial |
| Pear | Jan 1 - Mar 15 | 15-25 feet | Hood, Kieffer, Orient | Perennial |
| Peach | Jan 1 - Mar 15 | 12-20 feet | Flordaking, Tropic Beauty, Redskin | Perennial |
| Plum | Jan 1 - Mar 15 | 10-20 feet | Santa Rosa, Methley, Gulf Beauty | Perennial |
| Cherry | Jan 1 - Mar 15 | 10-25 feet | Stella, Royal Lee, Minnie Royal | Perennial |
| Grape | Jan 15 - Mar 15 | 10-30 feet (vine) | Muscadine (Carlos, Noble, Fry) | Perennial |
| Watermelon | Mar 1 - May 15 | 1-2 feet (vine spreads 10-15 feet) | Crimson Sweet, Sugar Baby, Charleston Gray | Annual |
| Cantaloupe | Mar 1 - May 15 | 1-2 feet (vine spreads 4-6 feet) | Aphrodite, Hale’s Best, Ambrosia | Annual |
| Pomegranate | Jan 1 - Mar 15 | 8-12 feet | Wonderful, Angel Red, Parfianka | Perennial |
| Banana | Mar 1 - May 1 | 8-12 feet | Ice Cream, Dwarf Cavendish, Grand Nain | Perennial |
| Pineapple | Mar 1 - Jun 1 | 3-5 feet | Queen, Smooth Cayenne, Sugarloaf | Perennial |
| Passion Fruit | Mar 1 - Jun 1 | 10-20 feet (vine) | Purple Possum, Frederick, Granadilla | Perennial |
Late frosts can damage peach, plum, and fig blossoms.
If you are not sure when to cover your plants or bring them inside, keep checking the weather forecast. Here I have created two guidelines that can help protect your plants.
Blueberry and apple growers can follow these pollination charts: Apple pollination chart and Blueberry pollination chart.
