When to Plant Vegetables in Texas

November 11, 2021

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Instead of shopping at your local grocery store for fresh vegetables, why not harvest veggies directly from your very own garden?

Because our climate differs so dramatically from other parts of the U.S., it’s important to specifically research the best time to plant vegetables in Texas rather than rely on a generalized guide. For example, we can typically begin gardening in the spring much earlier than other regions. And, because our winters are fairly mild, many types of vegetables can continue to grow successfully from late fall through the winter.

But with Texas being such a large state, gardening guidelines vary even from city to city. Here in the Dallas area, you can expect our last frost date to fall around the third week of March, while the first frost date doesn’t usually occur until mid-November. This is much different from the growing seasons in Corpus Christi or Laredo, for example.

Dallas and its nearby communities fall in USDA Hardiness Zone 8. Much of Northern Texas falls into Zone 7.This information will be very useful when you’re deciding when and what to plant.

Tips for Vegetable Gardening in Zone 8 (North Texas)

Keep these top tips in mind for planning, starting, and maintaining a vegetable garden.

Use your resources.
There are so many ways to learn about Dallas gardening, including an array of resources available right here on the North Haven Gardens website. Take advantage of as many of these resources as you can, and you’ll be armed with plenty of knowledge for your gardening journey:
1. Plant Lists for Dallas
2. Project Lists and Reference Guides
3. Our Video Library and blogs
4. The Texas Cooperative Extension Vegetable Gardening Guide
  We also offer our Garden Coach Program, which can be incredibly helpful for beginning gardeners who would like personalized advice as they begin their herb & veggie gardens or other landscape plantings.
Choose the right location.
Generally, an edible garden requires at least six hours of sun each day in order to produce vegetables. Selecting a garden location is one of the most important decisions you’ll make. In addition to sun/shade, consider an accessible water source and available space as well.
Properly prepare your soil.
Whether you’re going to use raised beds and containers for vegetable gardening or you’ll be planting directly in the ground, preparing the soil makes a big difference in your gardening success. Look for soil mixes specifically designed for raised beds or soil amendments to add vital nutrients for in-ground planting.
Make a plan before you start planting.
There are many factors to consider in setting up your garden layout: allowing enough room for mature plants, attracting pollinators, identifying and controlling pests and more. Figure out which garden design will check as many of these boxes as possible so that you can maximize space and growing success.
Remember that gardening is a learning experience.
Starting small is usually the best move for new gardeners, especially to keep your to-do list more manageable. But you can expand your efforts every year, so don’t be afraid to dream big. Remember: there is no “failing” in the garden – every challenge is a lesson in strengthening your green thumb!

Use Our Convenient Zone 8 Planting Calendar

Navigating the Texan climate for gardening in USDA Hardiness Zone 8 requires strategic planning, and nothing beats a planting calendar to keep you on track. At North Haven Gardens, we understand the unique challenges and opportunities of gardening in Texas. Our team is dedicated to providing practical advice and support for gardeners of all levels. By following a planting calendar tailored to Zone 8, you’ll maximize your harvest potential and ensure your garden thrives year-round.

North Texas Seasonal Planting Timeline

Simplify your gardening experience using our planting calendar for vegetables in North Texas.

Note: (O) indicates to seed or plant outdoors, while (IN) indicates to seed indoors and then transplant.

Spring Gardening in Zone 8

For a spring harvest, follow these guidelines. You can also explore our spring planting and gardening guide for more in depth informaiton on what and how to plant in the springtime.

January

Seeds

Onions (sets/slips), leeks (O)
Broccoli (IN)
Cauliflower (IN)
Collard greens (IN)
Kale (IN)
Lettuce (IN)
Tomatoes (IN)
Spinach (IN/O)
Swiss chard (IN/O)
Eggplants (IN), late January
Peppers (IN), late January

February

Seeds

Eggplants (IN)
Leeks (IN/O), Feb. 10th – Feb. 25th
Peas (O), ideally no later than Feb. 10th
Peppers (IN)
Potatoes (O)
Beets (O), until March 15th
Carrots (O), until March 15th
Collard greens (O), until March 15th
Kale (IN/O), until March 15th
Kohlrabi (O), until March 15th
Lettuce (O), until March 15th
Mustard greens (O), until March 15th
Scallions (O), until March 15th
Spinach (O), until March 15th
Swiss chard (O), until March 15th
Turnips (O), until March 15th
Radish (O), Feb. 5th – May 1st

Crowns

Asparagus
Horseradish
Rhubarb

Transplants

Broccoli
Brussels sprouts
Cabbage
Cauliflower
Chinese cabbage
Kohlrabi
Tomato, late February – April 1st

March

Seeds

Beets (O), until March 15th
Carrots (O), until March 15th
Collard greens (O), until March 15th
Kale (IN/O), until March 15th
Kohlrabi (O), until March 15th
Lettuce (O), until March 15th
Mustard greens (O), until March 15th
Scallions (O), until March 15th
Spinach (O), until March 15th
Swiss chard (O), until March 15th
Turnips (O), until March 15th
Radish (O), until May 1st
Bush (O), March 15th – April 20th
Lima beans (O), March 15th – April 20th
Pole beans (O), March 15th – April 20th
Cantaloupe (O), March 15th – May 1st
Watermelon (O), March 15th – May 1st
Corn (O), March 15th – mid-June
Cucumbers (O), March 15th – mid-June
Squash (O), March 15th – mid-June
Zucchini (O), March 15th – mid-June
Pumpkin (O), March 25th – April 30th

Transplants

Tomatoes, until April 1st
Cucumbers, March 15th – mid-June
Peppers, March 15th – mid-June
Squash, March 15th – mid-June
Watermelon, March 15th – mid-June
Zucchini, March 15th – mid-June
Pumpkin, March 25th – April 30th

April

Seeds

Black-eyed peas (O), April 1st – mid-June
Okra (O), April 1st – mid-June
Bush (O), until April 20th
Lima beans (O), until April 20th
Pole beans (O), until April 20th
Pumpkin (O), until April 30th
Radish (O), until May 1st
Cantaloupe (O), until May 1st
Watermelon (O), until May 1st
Corn (O), until mid-June
Cucumbers (O), until mid-June
Squash (O), until mid-June
Zucchini (O), until mid-June

Transplants

Pumpkin, until April 30th
Eggplant, April 1st – mid-June
Okra, April 1st – mid-June
Sweet potato slips, until May 15th
Cucumbers, until mid-June
Peppers, until mid-June
Squash, until mid-June
Watermelon, until mid-June
Zucchini, until mid-June

May & June

Seeds

Tomatoes (IN/O), until May 15th
Black-eyed peas (O), until mid-June
Okra (O), until mid-June
Corn (O), until mid-June
Cucumbers (O), until mid-June
Squash (O), until mid-June
Zucchini (O), until mid-June

Transplants

Sweet potato slips, until May 15th
Eggplant, until mid-June
Okra, until mid-June
Cucumbers, until mid-June
Peppers, until mid-June
Squash, until mid-June
Watermelon, until mid-June
Zucchini, until mid-June

Fall Gardening in Zone 8

For a fall harvest, follow these guidelines. You’ll notice that, for many vegetables, there is a “second” planting season in mid- to late fall.

May, June, & July

Seeds

Cantaloupe (O), May 1st – July 25th
Watermelon (O), May 1st – July 25th
Eggplant (IN/O), May 1st – July 25th
Black-eyed peas (O), July 1st – August 15th
Southern peas (O), July 1st – August 15th
Winter squash (O), July 1st – August 10th
Okra (IN/O), July 15th – August 15th
Pumpkin, small varieties (O), July 15th – August 15th

Transplants

Eggplant, May 1st – July 25th
Tomatoes, late June – mid-July

August

Seeds

Broccoli (IN) until August 25th, (IN/O) August 25th – October 15th
Brussels sprouts (IN) until August 25th, (IN/O) August 25th – October 15th
Cabbage (IN) until August 25th, (IN/O) August 25th – October 15th
Cauliflower (IN) until August 25th, (IN/O) August 25th – October 15th
Corn (O), until August 25th
Cucumbers (O), until August 25th
Kohlrabi (IN), until August 25th
Mustard greens (IN), until August 25th
Pole beans (O), until August 25th
Spinach (IN) until August 25th, (IN/O) August 25th – October 15th
Summer squash (O), until August 25th
Sweet corn (O), until August 25th
Swiss chard (IN) until August 25th, (O) August 10th – late Sept.
Zucchini (O), until August 25th
Pinto beans (O), until Sept. 15th
Snap bush beans (O), until Sept. 15th
Yellow bush beans (O), until Sept. 15th
Chinese cabbage (IN/O), August 10th – late Sept.
Collard greens (IN/O), August 25th – Oct. 15th
Garlic (O), August 25th – Oct. 15th
Lettuce (IN/O), August 25th – October 15th
Kale (IN/O), August 25th – October 15th
Kohlrabi (IN/O), August 25th – October 15th
Radishes (IN/O), August 25th – October 15th
Turnips (IN/O), August 25th – October 15th

Transplants

Chinese cabbage, August 10th – late Sept.

September

Seeds

Cucumber (O), until Sept. 15th
English/French peas (O), until September 15th
Pinto beans (O), until Sept. 15th
Snap bush beans (O), until Sept. 15th
Yellow bush beans (O), until Sept. 15th
Beets (O)
Carrots (O)
Chinese cabbage (O)
Parsnips (O)
Swiss chard (O)
Broccoli (IN/O), until October 15th
Brussels sprouts (IN/O), until October 15th
Cabbage (IN/O), until October 15th
Cauliflower (IN/O), until October 15th
Collard greens (IN/O), until October 15th
Garlic (O), until Oct. 15th
Spinach (IN/O), until October 15th
Leeks (IN/O), until Oct. 31st
Lettuce (IN/O), until October 15th
Kale (IN/O), until October 15th
Kohlrabi (IN/O), until October 15th
Onions (IN/O), until Oct. 31st
Radishes (IN/O), until October 15th
Turnips (IN/O), until October 15th

Transplants

Broccoli
Brussels sprouts
Cabbage
Chinese cabbage
Kohlrabi
Lettuce
Leeks, until Oct. 31st

October

Garlic cloves
Shallot bulbs
Leek transplants

From mid-September through the winter

Transplants

Collard greens
Kale
Mustard greens
Swiss chard
Spinach

Winter Planting in Zone 8

While the winter time might seem like the least valuable time of year for your garden, the warm Texas climate allows for certain plants to be started and even grow continuously through the winter months. You can explore our in depth guide to learn more about winter gardening in Texas.

Become More Skilled at Gardening in Texas with Education and High-Quality Plants from North Haven Gardens

At our Dallas nursery, our mission isn’t simply to sell plants. Ultimately, our goal is to support Dallas-area locals in creating beautiful outdoor spaces that suit their lifestyles. Whether you’re interested in learning about edible gardening, growing gorgeous flowers for arrangements and bouquets, or setting up a low-maintenance and water-wise yard, we have the expertise, plants, and products to help your garden flourish.

Learn more about gardening in Texas and find the healthy, happy plants and gardening know-how you need at North Havens Gardens. Plus, we now offer plant delivery if (within our service area, please call for details) so that you can get your favorite plants and garden supplies right to your door.

Featured Image: Investment Fertilizer/Shutterstock

FAQs

When to Plant Vegetables in Texas | North Haven Gardens? ›

Planting Seeds Directly Into the Garden

Learn More ›

When to plant a vegetable garden in Texas? ›

After the garden has been cleared and refreshed, spring and summer vegetables in Texas should be planted after the final frost of the seasons which occurs in early March. Unlike winter crops, the selection of the best vegetables to grow in Texas in the summer is much more diverse!

Keep Reading ›

When should I plant my vegetables? ›

Mid-March to mid-April—early spring–for planting early, hardy crops. May 1 to June 1—late spring– for planting tender crops. Late June to late July—mid-summer–for planting succession crops warm weather crops and cool-season crops for fall and winter harvest.

When to plant cucumbers? ›

Cucumbers grow best in warm weather. Start seeds indoors in late April for transplants. Sow seed directly in the garden after soil has warmed, usually in May. Plastic mulch and row covers allow earlier planting.

Find Out More ›

Do you water plants before or after planting? ›

They should be watered at planting time and at these intervals: 1-2 weeks after planting, water daily. 3-12 weeks after planting, water every 2 to 3 days. After 12 weeks, water weekly until roots are established.