Free planting guide · PDF
Zone 8b planting guide
A one-page zone 8b planting guide: average last and first frost dates, what vegetables to plant when in spring and fall, and how to pick perennials for zone 8b.
What is on this planting guide
Average coldest winter night 15 to 20°F (-9 to -7°C). Places in zone 8b include El Paso, TX, Dallas, TX, Fort Worth, TX, Shreveport, LA.
Spring: what to plant and when
| Group | Plant outside | Crops |
|---|---|---|
| Hardy crops tolerate a hard frost | February 2 to February 16 | Asparagus, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, collards, horseradish, kale, kohlrabi, leek, mustard, onion, peas, potato, radish, rhubarb, spinach, turnip |
| Semi-hardy crops tolerate a light frost | February 16 to March 2 | Beet, carrot, cauliflower, celery, chard, Chinese cabbage, lettuce, mustard, parsnip |
| Tender crops damaged by frost | From March 16 | Bean, sweet corn, tomato |
| Very tender crops warm season | From March 30 | Cucumber, eggplant, melons, okra, pepper, pumpkin, squash, sweet potato |
Fall garden
Count back from the first fall frost (November 14): days to harvest, plus about 14 days because growth slows in fall, plus 14 more for frost-tender crops. A 50-day crop goes in by September 11 , a 70-day crop by August 22 .
| Semi-hardy (take light frost) | Beets, mustard, radishes, spinach, Swiss chard, green onions |
| Hardy (take several frosts) | Cabbage, carrots, turnips, rutabagas, kale |
Frost dates: medians across 3,376 zone 8b ZIP codes, from the nearest NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals station (32°F, 50% chance). Spring timing: Purdue Extension HO-186-W. Fall method and crops: University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension NebGuide G1343. Your own dates by ZIP code: plantsdirectusa.com.
