Hardiness Zone 8 – Planting Months
This planting calendar schedule will take you through each month of the year, for zone 8.
For those of you in the UK and Europe, this guide can be applied. If you are on a different continent, the conditions will vary, as it can be tropical or dry heat.
Planting zones are areas of hardiness. A planting guide, that enables us to know when to plant vegetables, fruit, and flowers.
Each area within a zone has similar growing conditions, this standardization gives us a good guide to what we can grow and when to grow.
US Zones + Temperatures
UK Hardiness Zones
Essential Gardening Equipment
Soil pH Testing
You need to make sure that you accurately test your soil to give your plants the best chance.
We use and recommend this 4 in 1 hygrometer to measure soil moisture, pH levels, nutrients, and light conditions at the same time.
Seeds
Here’s a list of more than 200 seeds that are customer favorites for Zone 8.
Germination
The best way to germinate your seeds so that they have a great start is with a germination kit. Seeds that are grown this way produce greater results.
Spade
A trusted spade is a gardener’s best friend, it helps you do the work. A long-handled spade is the most effective type.
Gardening Tool Set
For the finer work in the garden, we need those handy tools to help us cultivate. One that you can carry around in the garden is best.
Greenhouse
Every advanced gardener has a greenhouse and with so many benefits how can we do without. The acceleration and growth rate when using a greenhouse is worth the cost.
Dehydrating
One of the issues people have is that their crops produce all at once. The best way to overcome this is with a dehydrator so you can store your food for years and the flavor is amazing.
JanuaryPlanting Zone 8
Temperature: 10 to 20 F (-7 to -12 Celsius)
Indoors: Parsley, onion, leeks, and celery. At the end of January, you can also add broccoli, kale, peppers, and cabbage.
Seeding: If the soil is ready, you can sow carrots, radishes, and beets (make sure to protect them).
Flowers: Pansies, poppies, Nigella and Calendula
February Planting Zone 8
Temperature:10 to 30F (-12 to -1 Celsius)
Indoors: Kale, peppers, tomatoes, squash, basil, and melons
Seeding: Beets, carrots, onion, lettuce, peas, radishes, turnips, spinach, parsley, kale, and potatoes
At this point, you might want to protect the vegetables in polytunnels, with farmer’s fabric and similar.
March Planting Zone 8
Temperature: 51 to 74 F (10 to 23 Celsius)
Indoors: Tomatoes, eggplants, and peppers.
Seeding: Chives, rosemary, potatoes, thyme, asparagus, carrots, beets, lettuce, kohlrabi, radishes, turnips, and Swiss chard.
End of March (seeding), you start with pepper and tomato seedlings, cucumbers, corn, and squash (if the conditions are favorable). It’s better to harden them in a tunnel or greenhouse before planting outdoors.
The veggies planted at the end of March, still need to be protected with farmer’s fabric or in a polytunnel.
April Planting Zone 8
Temperature: 50 to 72 F (10 to 22 Celsius)
Seeding: Bush and pole beans, corn, cucumbers, eggplants, watermelons, cantaloupes, sweet potatoes, and squash. Transplant peppers and tomatoes outside.
Tips:
Eggplants grow well with peas, beans, peppers, tomatoes, potatoes, and spinach.
Squash and watermelon, are good companions for corn and beans.
May Planting Zone 8
Temperature: 57 to 78 F (14 to 26 Celsius)
Seeding: Beans, melons, squash. Planting tomatoes, peppers and sweet potatoes outside.
Flowers: Marigolds, sunflowers, cosmos, verbena, zinnia, tithonia, and Nicotiana.
Plant: Citrus trees and berry bushes.
Harvesting: Spinach, lettuce, and radishes.
Tips: Prune trees after they finished flowering. Keep a close watch at any fungal problems (due to the rainy season).
June Planting Zone 8
Temperature: 58 to 87 F (15 to 31 Celsius)
Seeding: Tomatoes, corn, melons, cucumbers, and beans.
Harvest: Asparagus, beans, spring cabbage, broccoli, lettuce, young onions, peas, spinach, early potatoes, chard, and kohlrabi.
It’s very important to water regularly in these periods (in case there is not enough rain). Especially in zones 9 and 10.
July Planting Zone 8
Temperature: 78 to 104 F (26 to 41 Celsius)
Seeding: Beans, corn, cucumbers, eggplants, peppers, squash, pumpkins, arugula, beets, broccoli, dill, cilantro, kale, spinach, summer lettuce, and Brussels sprouts.
Harvesting: Cherries, strawberries, blueberries, runner beans, and zucchini.
Make sure you regularly water to prevent drought, add mulch, and straw to help retain water.
August Planting Zone 8
Temperature: 82 to 104 F (28 to 40 Celsius)
This information is for zones 7 and 8;
Seeding: Beans, beets, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, early corn, early cucumber, lettuce, kale, early peppers, spinach, early tomatoes, squash, and onions.
Harvesting: Tomatoes, cucumbers, potatoes, and eggplants.
September Planting Zone 8
Temperature: 60 to 81 F (15 to 27 Celsius)
Harvesting: Onions, apples, tomatoes, beans, raspberries, zucchini, and potatoes.
Seeding: Tomatoes, peppers, broccoli, beets, cabbage, carrots, lettuce, spinach, peas, squash and Brussels sprouts, beans, cauliflower, and kale. Cabbage, broccoli, and squash are better when started from seedlings.
October Planting Zone 8
Temperatures: 64 to 89 F (18 to 32 Celsius)
Indoor: Basil, chives, oregano, parsley, and thyme.
Seeding: Asters, Dianthus, Celosia, garlic, grass, blueberries, flower bulbs, and winter lettuce.
November Planting Zone 8
Temperature: 52 to 76 F (11 to 25 Celsius)
In zone 8 you can still plant fruit trees.
Seeding: If you are using a greenhouse or a tunnel, you can plant; cabbage, broccoli, spinach, beets, carrots, peas, kale, strawberries, and winter lettuce.
Harvesting: If you have any tomatoes, eggplants, or peppers left, make sure you harvest them.
Clean up the leaves, so you can use them as mulch or compost later.
December Planting Zone 8
Temperature: 45 to 67 F (7 to 20 Celsius)
Seeding: Onions, beets, radishes, spinach, leafy greens, and chives – (protect them). Flowers: Verbena, pansies, daises, and petunias.
Plant: Trees, roses, and shrubs.
Harvesting: Kale, Brussels sprouts, leeks, winter cabbage, and parsnips.
When root veggies grow over winter, they develop a sweeter flavor.- Remove rotten veggies and plants to prevent pests and disease.
For more information about Planting Zones visit;
I am an expert in gardening and planting, with extensive knowledge of hardiness zones and planting schedules. I have studied and practiced gardening for many years, and I am familiar with the specific requirements of different plant species in various zones. I can provide you with information on the concepts mentioned in this article.
Hardiness Zones
Hardiness zones are geographical areas that are defined by their climate conditions, particularly the average minimum temperature during the winter. These zones help gardeners determine which plants are most likely to thrive in their specific region. The United States and the United Kingdom have their own hardiness zone systems, which are based on temperature ranges.
Planting Months
The planting calendar mentioned in the article provides a month-by-month guide for planting in Zone 8. It suggests the best times to plant various vegetables, fruits, and flowers throughout the year. The calendar takes into account the temperature ranges specific to Zone 8 and provides recommendations for both indoor and outdoor planting.
Essential Gardening Equipment
To ensure successful gardening, it is important to have the right tools and equipment. One essential tool is a soil pH tester, which helps determine the acidity or alkalinity of the soil. This information is crucial for selecting appropriate plants and adjusting soil conditions if necessary. Another important tool is a spade, which is used for digging and preparing the soil. A long-handled spade is recommended for its effectiveness. Additionally, a gardening tool set with various handheld tools is useful for tasks such as weeding, pruning, and cultivating.
Seeds and Germination
The article mentions a list of more than 200 seeds that are popular for Zone 8. It is important to choose seeds that are suitable for the specific climate and growing conditions of the zone. To ensure successful germination, a germination kit is recommended. This kit provides optimal conditions for seeds to sprout and grow, resulting in better overall plant development.
Greenhouse
A greenhouse is highly beneficial for advanced gardeners. It provides a controlled environment that allows for extended growing seasons and faster plant growth. The article highlights the accelerated growth rate and other advantages of using a greenhouse.
Dehydrating
Dehydrating is a method of preserving crops, particularly when they produce a large harvest all at once. A dehydrator is a useful tool for removing moisture from fruits, vegetables, and herbs, allowing them to be stored for long periods while retaining their flavor. This is especially helpful for gardeners who want to enjoy their homegrown produce throughout the year.
These are the main concepts discussed in this article. If you have any specific questions or need further information on any of these topics, feel free to ask!
