Zone 8 Vegetables

When to Plant Zone 8 Vegetables?

With a long growing season, many vegetables grow well in zone 8. Most areas of zone 8 have a last spring frost date in March and frost-free days often extending until November. This allows for growing cool season vegetables in the spring and fall, and warm season vegetables in the hot summer months.

Some zone 8 gardeners can kick off gardening season as early as February when tomatoes, peppers and eggplant can be started indoors, and cool-season crops such as lettuce, carrots, spinach and peas can be directly sown outdoors.

Potatoes are often planted in March. In late March to early April, zone 8 gardeners sow warm-season crops such as corn, beans and squash.

Because of its warm climate, zone 8 is ideal for planting okra, sweet potatoes and southern peas, sometimes called cow peas.

Planting for fall gardens is often done in August and September. In addition to growing leafy greens, the fall is ideal for growing a second tomato crop as well as broccoli, collards and kale.

How to Care for Zone 8 Vegetables?

Most vegetables need 6-8 hours of direct sunlight, about an inch of water weekly and fertile, well-drained soil. Some vegetable plants, such as lettuce, benefit from afternoon shade.

Once your garden is planted and growing, these are a couple of tips for caring for your zone 8 vegetables.

• Inspect your plants several times a week for signs of disease and insect damage.
• Ensure that your plants get adequate water. During the hot days of summer or times of drought, rainfall may not be enough and you may have to water your plants. Usually seeds and transplants for the fall garden must be watered during the warm days of summer.
• Keep your garden free of weeds. Weeds can compete with vegetable plants for nutrients, choke out plants and spread disease.
• Consider mulching. Mulch helps suppress weeds and retain moisture in the soil.
• Fertilize your plants when needed. We recommend using slow-release, all-natural fertilizers.
• Take advantage of the longer grow season and sow short-season vegetables for a fall harvest.
• Harvest vegetables before they become overly mature. Most vegetables are the most tender and flavorful before they reach full maturity.

What are the Best Early Spring Zone 8 Vegetables?

Some great early vegetables for zone 8 are lettuce, spinach, beets, peas, potatoes, radishes, onions and carrots. Perennial vegetables, such as asparagus and rhubarb, also grow in zone 8. Plant asparagus crowns and rhubarb in early spring.

What are the Best Zone 8 Winter Vegetables?

Because of its long growing season, many vegetables can be grown into the fall and sometimes early winter. Zone 8 gardeners often plant garlic in October and November. Many cool-weather crops such as lettuce, spinach, carrots, radishes, beets and peas can be grown in the fall garden. Bush beans can also be planted for a late fall harvest. Crops such as collard greens, Brussels sprouts and kale are often sweeter if harvested after a light frost. With the use of row covers, many gardeners can harvest leafy greens, carrots and other cool-season vegetables into winter.