Zones 7 has a medium/moderate growing window for gardening. With a last frost date as early as March 30th and first frost date as late as October 30th. First and last frost days may vary by 2 weeks (or more depending on the weather).
If you'd like to get a jump-start on Spring and Fall planting, it is possible to extend your season by starting seeds indoors. A simple setup might be a shop light over a table or as elaborate as a heated greenhouse or multiple racks with lights.
We hope that our USDA Zone Specific SEED planting guide with be a helpful tool in your garden planning and planting!
JANUARY
Start seeds indoors: Asparagus, Cabbage, Celery, Lettuce, Mustard, Onion, Peas, Radish, Spinach and Turnips
FEBRUARY
Start seeds indoors or outside: Arugula, Asparagus, Beets, Broccoli, Brussels sprouts, Carrots, Celery, Collards, Kale, Lettuce, Mustard, Onion, Peas, Radish, Spinach and Turnips
A greenhouse can extend your season
MARCH
Start seeds indoors or outside: Arugula, Beets, Broccoli, Brussels Sprouts, Cabbage, Carrots, Cauliflower, Celery, Collards, Corn, Eggplant, Kale, Kohlrabi, Lettuce, Okra, Onions, Peas, Peppers, Radish, Spinach, Swiss Chard, Tomatoes and Turnips.
APRIL
Start Seeds outside: Arugula, Basil, Beans, Beets, Chinese Cabbage, Carrots, Cauliflower, Cilantro, Collards, Corn, Cucumber, Dill, Eggplant, Endive, Horseradish, Kale, Kohlrabi, Lettuce, Mustard, Okra, Onion, Oregano, Parsley, Peas, Radish, Rhubarb, Spinach, Squash (Summer & Winter), Swiss Chard, Tomatoes, Turnips and Watermelon.
Plant all HERB and FLOWER seeds inside or outside depending on weather
MAY
Start Seeds outside: Arugula, Beans: bush, pole, snap and lima, Beets, Cantalope, Chard, Collards, Corn: dent, field, popcorn & sweet, Cucumber, Eggplant, Endive, Melons, Muskmelon, Okra, Parsley, Southern Peas, Peppers, Pumpkin, Radish, Summer Squash & Winter Squash, Tomato and Watermelon
Plant all HERB and FLOWER seeds outside
Transplant: all remaining indoor seedlings
Start Seeds outside in early June: Lima Beans, Chard, Corn: Dent field, popcorn & sweet, Melons, Okra, Southern Peas, Peppers, Pumpkin, Summer Spinach (malabar), Summer Squash, Winter Squash, Tomatoes and Watermelon
There's still time to plant HERBS and WILDFLOWER seeds!
JULY
Start Seeds outside: Beans: bush, Chard, Corn, Pumpkin and Cherry Tomatoes
AUGUST
Plant Seeds outside or indoors for Fall: Arugula, Bush Beans, Beets, Broccoli, Cabbage, Carrots, Cauliflower, Chives, Collards, Cucumber, Kohlrabi, Kale, Lettuce, Mustard, Radish, Peas, Spinach, Summer Squash, Winter Squash, Cherry Tomatoes and Turnips
SEPTEMBER:
Plant seeds outside: Arugula, Beets, Broccoli, Cabbage, Carrots, Cauliflower, Kohlrabi, Lettuce, Onion sets, Mustard, Radish, Spinach and Turnips
OCTOBER:
Plant seeds outside: Arugula, Cabbage, Collards, Lettuce, Radish and Spinach
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12 comments
When and what is my best time to plant in North Carolina to get my best out come I live in the western foothills of my state
When and what is my best time to plant in North Carolina to get my best out come I live in the western foothills of my state
Why are some vegetables listed in black type while others are listed in blue?
Hi Mary! I am new to your website. The seeds I ordered for our greenhouse arrived today and I’m anxious to plant them. I just moved to Idaho from Pennsylvania and the growing season is so different here. I really appreciate your growing chart for multiple zones. Many blessings to you and your garden :)
Thank you for this great post! I am wondering your thoughts on sowing seeds outdoors for Leeks in zone 7B… When should I sow outdoors? Thanks!
moving from Florida, zone 10, to SC zone 7b. Thank you for posting this
Such a helpful blog post! Thank you for taking the time to put this together!!
@Liz Barican
That’s a GREAT question! Since beans enrich the soil with nitrogen, leafy crops such as Chard, Kale, Lettuce and Cabbage are great options
I love your selection of seeds!
I’m new to gardening in zone 7, so this past spring, actually May, I started with 4 raised beds. One with tomatoes and peppers, another with cucumbers, one with beans and the last with squash. I’ve expanded my garden for this coming spring and decided to move my cucumber and bean beds and make my squash bed smaller. I figure t should rotate the beans for best results but what can or can’t I plant in the former beds?
Thanks so much for this planting guide by month! I looked several weeks ago and didn’t find anything listed by month as you have done. I had finally decided to make one for myself but thankfully found yours before I did so! Honestly, I didn’t know about your company until today but definitely want to give you patronage as I can. Keep gardening and teaching the rest of us!☺️
Love gardening. Would plant my whole yard with a garden of flowers and vegetables, and trees; especially fruit bearing. Now that I have time my fund in social security does not allow it. Love your site. Live the heirloom plants. Keep teaching.
Thanks Mary! This was super helpful! This will really help with planting!
All the best to your for a wonderful food harvet