Zone 7a Planting Schedule
Action Plan: October in Zone 7a
Expert Note
In October, keep soil evenly moist but avoid waterlogging as nights cool. Watch for aphids and spider mites on stressed plants, and protect tender pods from early cold snaps with row cover on forecasted frosty nights.
The Harvest
Harvest hot peppers like Bhut Jolokia Chocolate, Bhut Jolokia Orange, Bhut Jolokia Red, Bhut Jolokia Yellow, and Trinidad Moruga Scorpion as color develops; use gloves and keep them dry to prevent rot. If frost threatens, pick mature fruit first and finish ripening indoors.
Planting Schedule
Add crops from the list below to build your planting schedule.| Crop | Indoor Start | Transplant / Sow | Harvest Window | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cynara scolymus 'Italian' | Jan 12th | Apr 20th | Sep 17th – Oct 20th | |
| Artichoke | Jan 26th | Apr 6th | Sep 3rd – Oct 20th | |
| Giant Red Celery | Jan 26th | Jun 1st | Aug 30th – Oct 20th | |
| Green Sleeves | Jan 26th | Jun 1st | Aug 30th – Oct 20th | |
| Gros Vert de Laon | Jan 26th | Apr 13th | Jul 12th – Oct 20th | |
| Kojak | Jan 26th | Apr 6th | Aug 4th – Oct 20th | |
| Verina | Jan 26th | Mar 9th | Jun 17th – Oct 20th | |
| African Sunset | Feb 9th | Apr 20th | Jul 19th – Oct 20th | |
| Alabaster | Feb 9th | Apr 13th | Aug 11th – Oct 20th | |
| Albin | Feb 9th | Apr 13th | Aug 11th – Oct 20th | |
| Amsterdam | Feb 9th | Apr 13th | Jul 7th – Oct 20th | |
| Amsterdam Cutting | Feb 9th | Apr 20th | Jun 29th – Oct 20th | |
| Amsterdam Seasoning | Feb 9th | Apr 13th | Jun 22nd – Oct 20th | |
| Apollo | Feb 9th | Apr 13th | Aug 11th – Oct 20th | |
| Artichaut de Nice | Feb 9th | Apr 13th | Aug 11th – Oct 20th | |
| Artichoke de Marseille | Feb 9th | Jun 1st | Aug 30th – Oct 20th | |
| Atlas Angel | Feb 9th | Apr 13th | Jun 22nd – Oct 20th | |
| Baby Artichoke | Feb 9th | Apr 13th | Jul 7th – Oct 20th | |
| Balder | Feb 9th | Apr 20th | Aug 3rd – Oct 20th | |
| Bandit | Feb 9th | Apr 13th | Aug 11th – Oct 20th | |
| Beijing White | Feb 9th | Apr 13th | Jul 2nd – Oct 20th | |
| Bing Select | Feb 9th | Apr 6th | Jun 15th – Oct 20th | |
| Blue Solaise | Feb 9th | Apr 13th | Aug 1st – Oct 20th | |
| Bordeaux | Feb 9th | Apr 20th | Jul 4th – Oct 20th | |
| Bullseye Salmon | Feb 9th | Apr 13th | Jun 22nd – Oct 20th | |
| Cabernet | Feb 9th | Apr 13th | Aug 1st – Oct 20th | |
| Carmen F1 | Feb 9th | Apr 13th | Jul 27th – Oct 20th | |
| Cascade Blue | Feb 9th | Apr 20th | Jun 29th – Oct 20th | |
| Catanese | Feb 9th | Jun 15th | Oct 13th – Oct 20th | |
| Celebration | Feb 9th | Apr 6th | Jun 25th – Oct 20th |
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the frost dates for Zone Zone 7a?
In Zone Zone 7a, the average last spring frost is Apr 20th and the average first fall frost is Oct 20th.
When is the best time to start seeds indoors in Zone Zone 7a?
The best time to start most seeds indoors is 6 to 8 weeks before your last spring frost date of Apr 20th.
How long is the growing season in Zone Zone 7a?
Zone Zone 7a has a growing season of approximately 183 days.