Zone 8b Frost Dates and Planting Schedule

In USDA zone 8b, the typical last frost is March 19 and the typical first frost is November 13: the medians across its 2,462 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 13

range Nov 1 to Nov 25

Typical last spring frost

Mar 19

range Mar 5 to Apr 7

Median and 10th to 90th percentile across 2,462 ZIP codes in zone 8b, from each ZIP code's nearest NOAA station (1991–2020 normals). The spread is 33 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 8b 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 8b Planting Schedule

Typical for zone 8b, counted from the zone's typical Mar 19 last frost and Nov 13 first frost with the Season Planner's crop timing. Enter your ZIP code for your exact dates.

Typical for zone 8b

Jan 22–Feb 5 Start tomatoes indoors

Tomato seed needs 6 to 8 weeks under lights before it goes out.
Feb 5–Feb 19 Sow peas outdoors

Peas take cold soil and light frost in stride.
Feb 19–Mar 5 Sow leaf lettuce outdoors

Sow again every 2 to 3 weeks for a steady supply.
Mar 26–Apr 2 Transplant tomatoes and peppers

Once nights stay above 50°F.
Mar 26–Apr 2 Sow bush beans

Beans rot in cold soil: wait for 60°F at 4 inches deep.
Aug 21–Sep 4 Sow a fall crop

Kale, carrots, spinach or lettuce, 10 to 12 weeks before the first fall frost.
Nov 20–Nov 27 Plant garlic

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

Zone 8b Cities and Their Frost Dates

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

Dallas, TX:last frost Mar 2, first Nov 29
Columbia, SC:last frost Mar 25, first Nov 7
Vancouver, WA:last frost Mar 29, first Nov 9
Salem, OR:last frost Apr 3, first Nov 1
Tacoma, WA:last frost Mar 11, first Nov 21
Eugene, OR:last frost Apr 11, first Oct 23
Olympia, WA:last frost Apr 29, first Oct 14
Wilmington, NC:last frost Mar 19, first Nov 20

Zone 8b Frost FAQ

When is the last frost in zone 8b?

Typically around March 19, but it ranges from March 5 to April 7 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 8b?

Typically around November 13, ranging November 1 to November 25 across zone 8b.

When do you plant tomatoes in zone 8b?

Typically Mar 26 to Apr 2, 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 8b covers ZIP codes in Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, New Mexico, Oregon, South Carolina, Texas, Virginia, Washington.

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

Free book · 23 pages, PDF

The Spacing & Planting Cheat Sheet

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