Zone 8a Frost Dates and Planting Schedule

In USDA zone 8a, the typical last frost is March 28 and the typical first frost is November 7: the medians across its 2,329 ZIP codes, from NOAA 1991–2020 normals at the station nearest each one.

By HarvestMath Editors October 1, 2026 Share:

Typical first fall frost

Nov 7

range Oct 30 to Nov 18

Typical last spring frost

Mar 28

range Mar 14 to Apr 9

Median and 10th to 90th percentile across 2,329 ZIP codes in zone 8a, from each ZIP code's nearest NOAA station (1991–2020 normals). The spread is 26 days in spring.

A hardiness zone is a winter-cold rating: the average coldest night of the year. It doesn't predict when frost ends in spring. Two ZIP codes in zone 8a can be weeks apart on their last frost, so the dates here are a typical range, not your date.

Your exact frost dates

Find your dates by

US ZIP code

Enter a ZIP code or pick your hardiness zone to see your frost dates.

Zone 8a Planting Schedule

Typical for zone 8a, counted from the zone's typical Mar 28 last frost and Nov 7 first frost with the Season Planner's crop timing. Enter your ZIP code for your exact dates.

Typical for zone 8a

Jan 31–Feb 14 Start tomatoes indoors

Tomato seed needs 6 to 8 weeks under lights before it goes out.
Feb 14–Feb 28 Sow peas outdoors

Peas take cold soil and light frost in stride.
Feb 28–Mar 14 Sow leaf lettuce outdoors

Sow again every 2 to 3 weeks for a steady supply.
Apr 4–Apr 11 Transplant tomatoes and peppers

Once nights stay above 50°F.
Apr 4–Apr 11 Sow bush beans

Beans rot in cold soil: wait for 60°F at 4 inches deep.
Aug 15–Aug 29 Sow a fall crop

Kale, carrots, spinach or lettuce, 10 to 12 weeks before the first fall frost.
Nov 14–Nov 21 Plant garlic

Cloves go in 1 to 2 weeks after the first killing frost, for next summer.

Zone 8a Cities and Their Frost Dates

Same zone, different dates: each city's own station.

Atlanta, GA:last frost Mar 24, first Nov 8
Charlotte, NC:last frost Mar 30, first Nov 3
Raleigh, NC:last frost Mar 31, first Nov 4
Memphis, TN:last frost Mar 16, first Nov 16
Greenville, SC:last frost Mar 16, first Nov 20
Chattanooga, TN:last frost Mar 24, first Nov 9
Baltimore, MD:last frost Apr 10, first Oct 31
Huntsville, AL:last frost Mar 24, first Nov 8

Zone 8a Frost FAQ

When is the last frost in zone 8a?

Typically around March 28, but it ranges from March 14 to April 9 across the zone's ZIP codes (10th to 90th percentile). Enter your ZIP code for your own station's date.

When is the first frost in zone 8a?

Typically around November 7, ranging October 30 to November 18 across zone 8a.

When do you plant tomatoes in zone 8a?

Typically Apr 4 to Apr 11, a week or two after the zone's typical last frost. Your own last frost can be weeks either side of that.

Neighboring Zones

Zone 8a covers ZIP codes in Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, Georgia, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia.

A garden in a zone 8a climate — An illustration of a zone 8a garden.

Free book · 23 pages, PDF

The Spacing & Planting Cheat Sheet

When to start, when to plant, how far apart.