Your Free Southern Planting Calendar
Southern Planting Calendar, By Zone
Welcome to the GrowFitFL family. This is the planting calendar I grow by, now built for the whole South and sorted by USDA zone, from the Upper South down to the Gulf and Florida, so you know exactly what to plant and when where you live. Scroll down for the full calendar, my hard won Southern field notes, and the crops that are nearly impossible to kill down here. Bookmark it and come back every season.
🌲 Upper South
Zone 7b. Nashville, Knoxville, the Tennessee Valley and Appalachian foothills. Real winters and frost. One main season plus strong cool-season crops.
🌿 Mid & Lower South
Zones 8–9. Atlanta and Charlotte down to Savannah, Houston, and north Florida. Mild winters, light frost. Long growing seasons.
☀️ Gulf & Florida
Zones 10–11. South Florida and the frost-free coast. No frost, tropical crops thrive. Winter is prime.
Best planting windows shown. "Direct Sow" = plant seeds outdoors. "Transplant" = start indoors first or buy starts. "Year-round" = can plant anytime with water management.
| Crop | Upper South (Zone 7b) | Mid South (Zone 8) | Lower South (Zone 9) | Gulf & Tropical (Zones 10-11) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🥬 LEAFY GREENS & BRASSICAS | |||||
| Lettuce | Feb–Apr, Sep–Oct | Sep–Mar | Oct–Mar | Oct–Feb | Bolts in heat; best in cool season |
| Spinach | Feb–Mar, Sep–Oct | Sep–Feb | Oct–Feb | Nov–Jan | Prefers cooler temps; bolt-prone in the Deep South |
| Kale | Feb–Apr, Aug–Oct | Sep–Mar | Sep–Mar | Oct–Mar | Direct sow or transplant; very cold-hardy |
| Collard Greens | Feb–Apr, Jul–Sep | Aug–Mar | Sep–Mar | Oct–Mar | Southern staple; tolerates light frost |
| Swiss Chard | Mar–May, Aug–Sep | Sep–Mar | Sep–Apr | Year-round | More heat-tolerant than spinach |
| Arugula | Feb–Apr, Sep–Oct | Sep–Feb | Oct–Feb | Nov–Jan | Quick crop (30 days); succession plant |
| Mustard Greens | Feb–Apr, Aug–Oct | Sep–Mar | Sep–Mar | Oct–Mar | Fast-growing; great in Deep South winters |
| Bok Choy | Feb–Mar, Aug–Sep | Sep–Feb | Oct–Feb | Nov–Feb | Direct sow; harvest in 45–60 days |
| Broccoli | Feb–Mar, Jul–Aug | Sep–Feb | Oct–Feb | Nov–Feb | Transplant recommended; needs cool nights |
| Cauliflower | Feb–Mar, Jul–Aug | Sep–Feb | Oct–Feb | Nov–Feb | Harder than broccoli; needs consistent cool |
| Cabbage | Feb–Mar, Jul–Aug | Sep–Feb | Oct–Feb | Nov–Feb | Transplant; 60–80 days to harvest |
| Kohlrabi | Feb–Mar, Aug–Sep | Oct–Feb | Oct–Feb | Nov–Feb | Underrated! Harvest when golf-ball size |
| Brussels Sprouts | Jul–Aug | Sep–Nov | Oct–Nov | Not recommended | Challenging in the heat; Upper South only |
| Malabar Spinach | May–Jun | Apr–Aug | Mar–Sep | Year-round | Tropical vine; thrives in Southern summer heat |
| Moringa | Container / protect | Mar–May (transplant) | Mar–Jun | Year-round | Tree crop; leaves harvest year-round once established |
| 🍅 FRUITING VEGETABLES | |||||
| Tomatoes | Apr–May, Jul | Feb–Apr, Aug–Sep | Jan–Apr, Aug–Oct | Aug–Feb | Two seasons in the warm South; use heat-tolerant varieties in spring |
| Cherry Tomatoes | Apr–May, Jul | Feb–Apr, Aug–Sep | Feb–Apr, Sep–Oct | Sep–Feb | More forgiving than slicers in heat |
| Bell Peppers | Apr–Jun | Feb–Apr, Aug–Sep | Jan–Apr, Aug–Oct | Aug–Mar | Long season crop; slow to mature |
| Hot Peppers | Apr–Jun | Feb–Apr, Aug–Sep | Feb–Apr, Aug–Oct | Year-round | More heat-tolerant than bells |
| Eggplant | Apr–Jun | Feb–Apr, Aug–Sep | Feb–May, Aug–Oct | Year-round | Loves Southern heat; keep picking for more production |
| Cucumbers | Apr–May, Jul–Aug | Feb–Apr, Aug–Sep | Feb–Apr, Aug–Oct | Sep–Mar | Fast crop (50–60 days); direct sow |
| Zucchini / Summer Squash | Apr–May, Jul–Aug | Feb–Apr, Aug–Sep | Feb–Apr, Aug–Oct | Sep–Mar | Prolific producer; watch for vine borers |
| Winter Squash / Butternut | Apr–Jun | Feb–Mar, Aug | Feb–Mar, Aug–Sep | Sep–Feb | Needs 80–110 days; plan ahead |
| Watermelon | Apr–Jun | Mar–May | Mar–May | Feb–May | Direct sow; needs space and warm soil |
| Cantaloupe / Muskmelon | Apr–Jun | Mar–May | Mar–May | Feb–May | Similar to watermelon; direct sow |
| Pumpkin | May–Jul | Feb–Mar, Jul–Aug | Feb–Mar, Aug | Aug–Jan | Direct sow 90–120 days before harvest |
| Okra | May–Jul | Apr–Aug | Mar–Sep | Year-round | A Southern superstar; loves heat and humidity |
| Tomatillo | Apr–May | Feb–Apr, Aug | Feb–Apr, Aug–Oct | Sep–Mar | Need 2 plants for pollination |
| 🫘 BEANS, PEAS & LEGUMES | |||||
| Green Beans (Bush) | Apr–May, Jul–Aug | Feb–Apr, Sep–Oct | Feb–Apr, Sep–Nov | Sep–Mar | Direct sow; harvest in 50–60 days |
| Pole Beans | Apr–May, Jul | Mar–Apr, Sep–Oct | Mar–Apr, Sep–Oct | Sep–Feb | Needs trellis; longer harvest window |
| Southern Peas (Cowpeas / Black-eyed) | May–Jul | Apr–Aug | Mar–Sep | Year-round | Heat-loving Southern staple; drought tolerant |
| Snow Peas / Snap Peas | Feb–Mar, Sep | Oct–Feb | Oct–Feb | Nov–Jan | Cool season only; direct sow |
| Sugar Snap Peas | Feb–Mar, Sep | Oct–Feb | Nov–Feb | Nov–Jan | Needs cool soil; great trellis crop |
| Edamame / Soybeans | Apr–Jun | Apr–Jun | Mar–Jun | Mar–Jun | Direct sow; harvest when pods are plump |
| Lima Beans | May–Jun | Mar–May | Mar–Jun | Feb–Jun | Warm-season; direct sow |
| Yard-long Beans | May–Jun | Apr–Aug | Mar–Sep | Year-round | Prolific in Southern summer; needs trellis |
| 🥕 ROOT VEGETABLES | |||||
| Carrots | Feb–Apr, Aug–Sep | Sep–Feb | Oct–Feb | Oct–Feb | Direct sow in loose sandy soil; thin well |
| Beets | Feb–Apr, Aug–Sep | Sep–Feb | Oct–Feb | Oct–Feb | Direct sow; eat greens and roots |
| Radishes | Feb–Apr, Sep–Oct | Sep–Mar | Sep–Mar | Oct–Mar | Fastest crop (25 days); great for kids |
| Turnips | Feb–Mar, Aug–Sep | Sep–Feb | Oct–Feb | Nov–Feb | Eat roots and greens; cool season |
| Rutabaga | Jul–Aug | Sep–Nov | Oct–Nov | Not recommended | Coolest zones only; needs sustained cool |
| Sweet Potatoes | May–Jun | Apr–Jun | Mar–Jul | Mar–Aug | Southern staple; plant slips, not seeds |
| Cassava (Yuca) | Not recommended | Apr–May (transplant) | Apr–Jun | Year-round | Tropical root; needs a long frost-free season |
| Ginger | May–Jun (container) | Mar–May | Mar–Jun | Year-round | Plant rhizomes; harvest in fall |
| Turmeric | May–Jun (container) | Mar–May | Mar–Jun | Year-round | Same as ginger; beautiful foliage |
| Parsnips | Feb–Mar, Aug | Oct–Jan | Not recommended | Not recommended | Upper South only, coolest months |
| 🌽 GRAINS & CORN | |||||
| Sweet Corn | Apr–Jun | Feb–Apr, Aug–Sep | Feb–Apr, Aug–Sep | Jan–Mar, Aug–Oct | Direct sow in blocks; plant 3+ rows for pollination |
| Flour / Dent Corn | Apr–May | Mar–May | Mar–May | Feb–Apr | Let dry on stalk; grind for cornmeal |
| Sunflowers | Apr–Jun | Mar–May, Aug–Sep | Feb–May, Aug–Sep | Feb–Apr, Sep–Oct | Direct sow; edible seeds + pollinator magnet |
| 🧅 ALLIUMS & BULBS | |||||
| Onions (from seed/sets) | Feb–Mar, Sep–Oct | Oct–Jan | Oct–Jan | Nov–Jan | Short-day varieties best for the South (e.g., Granex) |
| Green Onions / Scallions | Feb–Apr, Aug–Sep | Sep–Mar | Sep–Mar | Oct–Mar | Direct sow; harvest in 60 days |
| Garlic | Oct–Nov | Oct–Dec | Oct–Dec | Nov–Dec | Plant cloves; harvest when tops die back |
| Shallots | Oct–Nov, Feb–Mar | Oct–Jan | Oct–Jan | Nov–Jan | Similar to onions; plant sets or bulbs |
| Leeks | Feb–Mar | Oct–Feb | Nov–Feb | Nov–Jan | Transplant; slow-growing allium |
| Chives | Feb–Apr | Sep–Feb | Sep–Mar | Oct–Mar | Perennial in the South; cut and come again |
| 🌿 HERBS | |||||
| Basil | May–Jul | Mar–Sep | Feb–Oct | Year-round | Loves heat; pinch flowers to extend harvest |
| Cilantro | Feb–Apr, Sep–Oct | Sep–Mar | Oct–Mar | Oct–Mar | Bolts in heat; succession plant every 3 weeks |
| Parsley | Mar–Apr, Aug–Sep | Sep–Mar | Sep–Mar | Oct–Mar | Slow to germinate; soak seeds first |
| Dill | Mar–May, Aug–Sep | Sep–Mar | Oct–Mar | Oct–Mar | Direct sow; also attracts swallowtail butterflies |
| Rosemary | Apr–May (perennial) | Year-round | Year-round | Year-round | Perennial shrub in the South; drought tolerant once established |
| Thyme | Apr–May (perennial) | Sep–Apr | Sep–May | Year-round | Perennial in the South; low water needs |
| Oregano | Apr–May (perennial) | Sep–Apr | Year-round | Year-round | Perennial; Greek oregano is most flavorful |
| Mint | Mar–May (perennial) | Sep–Apr | Sep–May | Year-round | Grows aggressively; plant in containers! |
| Lemongrass | May–Jun (not hardy) | Apr–Sep | Mar–Oct | Year-round | Tropical grass; perennial only in the frost-free South |
| Turmeric / Ginger (culinary) | May–Jun (container) | Mar–May | Mar–Jun | Year-round | See Root Vegetables section above |
| Chives | Feb–Apr | Sep–Feb | Sep–Mar | Year-round | See Alliums section |
| Shiso / Perilla | Apr–May | Mar–May | Mar–Jun | Feb–Jun | Asian herb; self-seeds prolifically |
| Fennel | Mar–Apr, Aug–Sep | Sep–Mar | Oct–Mar | Oct–Mar | Cool season; bulb and fronds both edible |
| 🍓 FRUITS & BERRIES | |||||
| Strawberries | Sep–Oct, Mar | Oct–Feb | Oct–Feb | Oct–Jan | Plant plugs/crowns; the South's winter crop |
| Blueberries | Feb–Mar, Oct–Nov (plant) | Jan–Mar (plant) | Jan–Mar (plant) | Not recommended | Rabbiteye and Southern highbush varieties; need acid soil |
| Blackberries | Feb–Mar, Nov (plant) | Jan–Mar (plant) | Jan–Feb (plant) | Not recommended | Upper and Mid South; plant dormant canes |
| Passion Fruit | May–Jun (Maypop hardy) | Mar–May | Mar–May | Year-round | Vine; Maypops native to the South; very productive |
| Papaya | Not recommended | Apr–May | Apr–May | Year-round | Fast-fruiting; protect from frost outside the Gulf and Florida |
| Banana | Not recommended (container) | Apr–May | Apr–May | Year-round | Plant pups/suckers; dies back in frost but regrows |
| Pineapple | Not recommended | Apr–Jun | Mar–Jun | Year-round | Plant crowns or suckers; 18 months to fruit |
| Longan / Lychee | Not recommended | Not recommended | Apr–May (plant) | Year-round | Tropical tree fruit; needs frost-free winters |
| Avocado | Not recommended | Not recommended | Apr–Jun (plant) | Year-round | Varieties: Lula, Monroe for Central; Simmonds for South |
| Mango | Not recommended | Not recommended | Apr–Jun (plant) | Year-round | Gulf and Florida only; many regional varieties |
| 🎃 VINING CROPS | |||||
| Luffa Gourd | Apr–May | Mar–May | Mar–May | Feb–May | Needs full season; use as sponge or eat young |
| Bottle Gourd | Apr–May | Mar–May | Mar–May | Feb–May | Edible when small; decorative when mature |
| Bitter Melon | May–Jun | Apr–Aug | Mar–Sep | Year-round | Thrives in Southern heat; needs trellis |
| Chayote | Not recommended | Mar–May | Mar–May | Year-round | Plant whole fruit; produces heavily once established |
| 🌾 PERENNIAL FOOD CROPS | |||||
| Pigeon Peas | Not recommended | Apr–Jun | Mar–Jul | Year-round | Nitrogen-fixing shrub; edible seeds; great for soil |
| Katuk | Not recommended | Apr–Jun | Mar–Jun | Year-round | Tropical superfood shrub; shade-tolerant |
| Okinawa Spinach | Not recommended | Apr–Sep | Mar–Oct | Year-round | Purple-leaf perennial; nutritious shade lover |
| Cranberry Hibiscus | May–Jun | Apr–Sep | Mar–Oct | Year-round | Edible sour leaves; gorgeous red foliage |
| Chaya (Tree Spinach) | Not recommended (container) | Apr–May | Apr–Jun | Year-round | Must cook leaves; incredibly productive in the frost-free South |
| Cassava | Not recommended | Apr–May | Apr–Jun | Year-round | See Root Vegetables section |
The South gives you two gardens a year, a cool season and a warm season. Most beginners only plant once. The secret is planting TWICE. In the Upper South your cool season runs roughly September through April with a winter frost gap. Deep South and Florida growers plant straight through winter, it is your prime season. Either way, two plantings double your harvest without doubling your work.
Upper South (Zone 7b): First frost ~late Oct to mid Nov, last frost ~early to mid April. | Mid South (Zone 8): First frost ~mid to late Nov, last frost ~mid March to early April. | Lower South (Zone 9): First frost ~late Nov to Dec, last frost ~late Feb to early March. | Gulf & Florida (Zones 10–11): Essentially frost-free. Always check your local 10-day forecast before setting out tender seedlings. If you garden at the cool edge of your zone, lean a little later in spring and earlier in fall.
Five truths that decide whether your garden feeds you or fizzles. Learned the hard way so you don't have to.
Much of the South is sandy on the coastal plain and heavy clay up in the piedmont. Either way it needs help. Work compost and organic matter in before you plant, and top it up every season. Healthy soil is the whole game down here.
Two to three inches of mulch holds moisture, keeps roots cool through the heat, and cuts how often you water. Bare soil under the Southern sun is a losing battle.
Water in the early morning, deeply and less often. That grows deep roots and dodges the leaf fungus that comes from wet foliage sitting overnight.
Florida hands you two gardens a year, cool season and warm season. Most folks only plant once. Use the calendar above to run both and double your harvest without doubling your work.
Planting at the wrong time is the number one reason gardens fail here. The calendar above exists to fix exactly that. Check it before every planting.
New to growing down here? Win first, then expand. These shrug off our heat and humidity.
Plant slips, walk away, dig a feast.
Loves the heat that kills other crops.
Tough, productive, shrugs off light frost.
Far more forgiving than big slicers.
Hot peppers especially go all season long.
Fast and easy, ready in about 50 days.
A Deep South heirloom, nearly unstoppable.
Herbs that genuinely love our climate.
Heat and humidity mean bugs. The usual suspects are caterpillars, aphids, and leaf fungus. Walk your garden every couple of days, catch trouble early, handpick what you can, and reach for gentle organic options before anything harsh. Early and consistent beats strong and late.
This calendar tells you when. The Hub shows you exactly what to do, all year, for your exact yard.
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