USDA plant hardiness zone 7 isn’t a punishing climate and the growing season is relatively long compared to more northern climates. However, planting a vegetable garden in zone 7 should be carefully timed to prevent potential frost damage that may occur if veggies are in the ground too early in spring or too late in fall.
Read on for helpful tips on vegetable gardening in zone 7.
Zone 7 Vegetable Planting
The last frost date for zone 7 is usually between late March and mid-April, with the first frost date in autumn occurring in mid-November. Keep in mind that while it’s useful to know weather patterns, first and last frost dates can vary considerably due to topography, humidity, local weather patterns, soil type, and other factors.
Your local cooperative extension office can provide average frost dates specific to your area. With that in mind, here are a few approximate dates for vegetable planting in zone 7.
When to Plant Vegetables in Zone 7
Below are some general guidelines for vegetable gardening in Zone 7.
Spring Vegetables
- Beans – Plant seeds outdoors in mid to late April.
- Broccoli – Plant seeds indoors in mid to late February; transplant in early April.
- Cabbage – Plant seeds indoors in early February; transplant in mid to late March.
- Carrots – Plant seeds outdoors in late March.
- Celery – Plant seeds indoors in early February; transplant in late April.
- Collards – Start collard seeds indoors in late February; transplant in mid to late March.
- Corn – Plant seeds outdoors in late April.
- Cucumbers – Plant seeds outdoors in mid to late March.
- Kale – Plant seeds indoors in early February; transplant in mid to late March.
- Onions – Plant seeds indoors in mid-January; transplant in mid to late March.
- Peppers – Plant seeds indoors in mid to late February, transplant in mid to late April.
- Pumpkins – Plant seeds outdoors in early May.
- Spinach – Plant seeds indoors in early February; transplant in early March.
- Tomatoes – Plant seeds indoors in early March; transplant in late April or early May.
Fall Vegetables
- Cabbage – Plant seeds indoors in late July; transplant in mid-August.
- Carrots – Plant seeds outdoors in mid to late-August.
- Celery – Plant seeds indoors in late June; transplant in late July.
- Fennel – Plant seeds outdoors in late July.
- Kale – Plant outdoors in mid to late August
- Lettuce – Plant seeds outdoors in early September.
- Peas – Plant seeds outdoors in early August.
- Radishes – Plant seeds outdoors in early August.
- Spinach – Plant seeds outdoors in mid-September.