USDA hardiness zone
Zone 8 — 10 to 20°F
Texas (much of), Louisiana, North Florida, Oregon coast, Washington (parts) · 230-day growing season
What grows in Zone 8
Zone 8 suits the following plants based on temperature tolerance and growing-season length:
- Tomatoes (spring + fall plantings)
- Peppers (sweet + hot)
- Okra
- Sweet potatoes
- Southern peas
- Melons, watermelon
- Figs
- Pomegranates
- Citrus (in protected spots — Meyer lemon)
- Pecans
- Cool-season greens (Oct-Apr)
- Garlic (fall-planted)
Climate notes for Zone 8
Summer heat can shut down tomato production July-August. Many zone 8 gardeners do spring + fall tomato crops with a midsummer break.
Frost dates and timing
| Average last spring frost | mid- to late March |
|---|---|
| Average first fall frost | mid-November |
| Growing season length | ~230 days |
| Temperature range (F) | 10 to 20°F |
| Temperature range (C) | -12 to -7°C |
These are zone-wide averages. Local microclimates (south-facing slopes, urban heat, lakeside warmth) can shift dates by 1-2 weeks within the same zone.
Source and methodology
Temperature ranges from the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023). Frost-date averages from NOAA Climate Data Online national averages within each zone. Plant recommendations curated by the Growli editorial team from US extension service references.
What to plant in Zone 8
Crop-by-crop sowing, transplant, and harvest dates for zone 8:
- When to plant tomatoes in zone 8
- When to plant peppers in zone 8
- When to plant basil in zone 8
- When to plant garlic in zone 8
- When to plant lettuce in zone 8
- When to plant bush beans in zone 8
- When to plant cucumbers in zone 8
- When to plant summer squash in zone 8
- When to plant peas in zone 8
- When to plant carrots in zone 8