How long is the growing season in Zone 8b?

Zone 8b has an average growing season of 234 frost-free days.

Zone 8b Planting Schedule

Q: What are the frost dates for Zone 8b?

In Zone 8b, the average last spring frost is Mar 23rd and the average first fall frost is Nov 12th.

Q: When is the best time to start seeds indoors in Zone 8b?

In Zone 8b, start seeds indoors 6–8 weeks before your average last spring frost (around Mar 23rd). The exact timing varies by crop — check the planting schedule above for crop-specific indoor seed start dates.

Last spring frost: Mar 23rd

First fall frost: Nov 12th

Growing season: 234 days

All Zones Zone 8b Save Garden

Action Plan: October in Zone 8b

Expert Note

In October, keep soil evenly moist but avoid waterlogged beds as nights cool. Watch for late-season pests like aphids and caterpillars, and scout under leaves. Harvest promptly in dry weather to reduce rot and sunscald on exposed fruit.

The Harvest

Harvest Carolina Reaper and Kettle River Giant as they fully color and firm up; handle carefully to avoid bruising. For Nootka Rose, pick when hips are mature and use them soon for best flavor and texture.

Planting Schedule

Add crops from the list below to build your planting schedule.

Crop	Indoor Start	Transplant / Sow	Harvest Window
Cynara scolymus 'Italian'	Dec 15th	Mar 23rd	Aug 20th – Nov 12th
Artichoke	Dec 29th	Mar 9th	Aug 6th – Nov 12th
Giant Red Celery	Dec 29th	May 4th	Aug 2nd – Nov 12th
Green Sleeves	Dec 29th	May 4th	Aug 2nd – Nov 12th
Gros Vert de Laon	Dec 29th	Mar 16th	Jun 14th – Nov 12th
Kojak	Dec 29th	Mar 9th	Jul 7th – Nov 12th
Verina	Dec 29th	Feb 9th	May 20th – Nov 12th
African Sunset	Jan 12th	Mar 23rd	Jun 21st – Nov 12th
Alabaster	Jan 12th	Mar 16th	Jul 14th – Nov 12th
Albin	Jan 12th	Mar 16th	Jul 14th – Nov 12th
Amsterdam	Jan 12th	Mar 16th	Jun 9th – Nov 12th
Amsterdam Cutting	Jan 12th	Mar 23rd	Jun 1st – Nov 12th
Amsterdam Seasoning	Jan 12th	Mar 16th	May 25th – Nov 12th
Apollo	Jan 12th	Mar 16th	Jul 14th – Nov 12th
Artichaut de Nice	Jan 12th	Mar 16th	Jul 14th – Nov 12th
Artichoke de Marseille	Jan 12th	May 4th	Aug 2nd – Nov 12th
Atlas Angel	Jan 12th	Mar 16th	May 25th – Nov 12th
Baby Artichoke	Jan 12th	Mar 16th	Jun 9th – Nov 12th
Balder	Jan 12th	Mar 23rd	Jul 6th – Nov 12th
Bandit	Jan 12th	Mar 16th	Jul 14th – Nov 12th
Beijing White	Jan 12th	Mar 16th	Jun 4th – Nov 12th
Bing Select	Jan 12th	Mar 9th	May 18th – Nov 12th
Blue Solaise	Jan 12th	Mar 16th	Jul 4th – Nov 12th
Bordeaux	Jan 12th	Mar 23rd	Jun 6th – Nov 12th
Bullseye Salmon	Jan 12th	Mar 16th	May 25th – Nov 12th
Cabernet	Jan 12th	Mar 16th	Jul 4th – Nov 12th
Carmen F1	Jan 12th	Mar 16th	Jun 29th – Nov 12th
Cascade Blue	Jan 12th	Mar 23rd	Jun 1st – Nov 12th
Catanese	Jan 12th	May 18th	Sep 15th – Nov 12th
Celebration	Jan 12th	Mar 9th	May 28th – Nov 12th

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the frost dates for Zone Zone 8b?

In Zone Zone 8b, the average last spring frost is Mar 23rd and the average first fall frost is Nov 12th.

When is the best time to start seeds indoors in Zone Zone 8b?

The best time to start most seeds indoors is 6 to 8 weeks before your last spring frost date of Mar 23rd.

How long is the growing season in Zone Zone 8b?

Zone Zone 8b has a growing season of approximately 234 days.