Zone 8 Gardeners: Kickstart Spring with Indoor Seedlings in February
Zone 8 gardeners can kickstart their spring season with indoor seedling preparation from mid-February. Tomatoes and onions are among the crops that can be started indoors during this period.
In zone 8, the first winter frost typically arrives on December 1st, and the last spring frost is usually around April 1st. This means gardeners have eight solid frost-free months for growing vegetables.
The cool spring and autumn seasons in zone 8 are ideal for starting certain crops indoors. Cool-season fruits like strawberries and specific berry bushes can be started in February. Other cool weather vegetables such as beets, cabbage, carrots, kale, lettuce, peas, and spinach should also be started indoors in mid-February. Broccoli and cauliflower, which require a bit more time, should be started indoors in early February and can be transplanted outdoors in early March. Tomato and onion seedlings, however, should wait until April for outdoor transplanting.
Zone 8's hot summers and long growing seasons allow for a diverse range of crops. By starting certain vegetables indoors in February and March, gardeners can extend their growing season and enjoy a bountiful harvest.
