Zone 8a Planting Calendar 2026Complete Seed Starting Schedule
Zone 8a has a near year-round growing season of 280+ days. The primary challenge shifts from cold to heat — summer heat can stress cool-season crops, so fall and spring are the most productive garden windows. Includes Houston, Jacksonville, and San Antonio.
Last Frost
February 20
First Fall Frost
December 1
Growing Season
283 days
2026 Monthly Planting Schedule
Your month-by-month guide for Zone 8a
1January
🌱 Indoors: Start tomatoes, peppers Jan 15-30
🌍 Direct: Plant peas, spinach directly
☀️ Notes: Prepare beds, direct sow cool season
2February
🌱 Indoors: Start squash, cucumber early Feb
🌍 Direct: Plant carrots, beets Feb 15+
☀️ Notes: Transplant cold-hardy seedlings
3March
🌱 Indoors: Finish warm-season seedlings
🌍 Direct: Plant beans, corn directly March 1+
☀️ Notes: Main transplant month - very active
4April
🌱 Indoors: Start fall brassicas for fall
🌍 Direct: Succession plant beans
☀️ Notes: Stake plants, add mulch
5May
🌍 Direct: Plant heat-tolerant varieties
☀️ Notes: Harvest spring crops, plant fall
6June
🌍 Direct: Plant okra, southern peas
☀️ Notes: Provide afternoon shade for cool crops
7July
🌱 Indoors: Start fall tomato seeds indoors
🌍 Direct: Plant fall vegetables July-August
☀️ Notes: Focus on heat management, water deeply
8August
🌱 Indoors: Start fall brassicas mid-August
🌍 Direct: Plant fall greens, lettuce
☀️ Notes: Plant fall garden - second spring
9September
🌍 Direct: Plant garlic, spinach
☀️ Notes: Fall garden planting, cooler temps return
10October
🌍 Direct: Plant garlic for next year
☀️ Notes: Fall planting continues, harvest
Recommended Varieties for Zone 8a
Top-performing varieties adapted to your zone
tomato
pepper
okra
melon
eggplant
Best Crops for Zone 8a
Top performers in your zone's climate
💡 Zone Tip: Plant a fall garden in August–September — the second spring of Zone 8a — for your best tomato and pepper harvest. Use shade cloth in summer.
Major Cities in Zone 8a
These areas share your hardiness zone
Zone 8a on the Map
Cities in your zone are highlighted. Click any marker to explore neighboring zone calendars.
Calculate Your 2026 Schedule
📖 Deep Dive Guide
Read: Complete Planting Guide for Zone 8 →Looking for a different zone?
Browse All 17 USDA Hardiness Zones →