USDA Zone 7 Planting Guide: Growing in Mild Winter Climates
Zone 7 provides a generous 180-200 day growing season ideal for most vegetables and many fruit trees. Plant cool-season crops in February-March and again in August-September for extended harvests. Warm-season crops thrive from May through September. Many perennial herbs and borderline-hardy fruits succeed with proper placement.
| Vegetable | When to Plant | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Tomatoes | Start indoors 6 weeks before last frost; transplant after last frost | Long season allows full-size beefsteaks and paste tomatoes to mature. May need afternoon shade in hottest areas |
| Peppers | Start indoors 8 weeks before last frost; transplant after last frost | All pepper types thrive. Consider a second planting in early summer for fall harvest |
| Sweet Potatoes | Plant slips 2-3 weeks after last frost when soil is warm | Excellent Zone 7 crop with 100+ days of warm weather. Harvest before frost |
| Okra | Direct sow or transplant after soil warms to 65°F+ | Heat-loving crop that thrives in Zone 7 summers. Pick frequently for tender pods |
| Collards | Spring or fall planting; tolerates light frost | Traditional Southern green that produces through mild Zone 7 winters |
| Garlic | Plant in October-November for harvest next summer | Both softneck and hardneck varieties grow well. Softneck stores longer |
Plant in fall (September-October) for spring harvest
Fall planting establishes roots before winter for better spring production
Plant bare-root in late winter or early spring
Thrives in Zone 7. Thornless varieties like Triple Crown are very productive
Plant in late winter or early spring
Southern highbush and rabbiteye varieties do well. Match variety to your subzone
Summer Heat Stress
Mulch heavily, provide afternoon shade for cool-season crops, and water deeply in morning. Use shade cloth for lettuce and spinach in summer.
Summer Diseases
Humid summers promote fungal diseases. Space plants for air circulation, water at soil level, and remove infected material promptly.
Winter Dieback of Borderline Plants
Plant marginally hardy plants in protected locations near south-facing walls. Apply winter mulch after ground freezes.
Pest Pressure
Long warm season allows multiple pest generations. Monitor weekly and use integrated pest management. Rotate crops annually.
February
- •Start tomatoes, peppers, and eggplants indoors
- •Direct sow peas, lettuce, and spinach outdoors
- •Plant bare-root fruit trees and roses
- •Prune fruit trees and grape vines
March
- •Continue direct sowing cool-season crops
- •Transplant brassica seedlings
- •Plant potatoes (St. Patrick's Day is traditional)
- •Start squash and cucumber seeds indoors (late March)
April
- •Transplant tomatoes and peppers after last frost
- •Direct sow beans, corn, and squash
- •Plant sweet potato slips (late April)
- •Harvest spring greens
May
- •Plant warm-season crops in succession
- •Direct sow okra and southern peas
- •Mulch heavily as temperatures rise
- •Begin regular watering schedule
June
- •Harvest spring crops as they finish
- •Start fall brassica seeds indoors
- •Maintain consistent watering
- •Monitor for pest and disease problems
July
- •Transplant fall brassicas
- •Keep harvesting summer crops
- •Water deeply during heat waves
- •Plant fall beans (late July)
August
- •Direct sow fall peas, lettuce, and spinach
- •Continue fall brassica transplanting
- •Order garlic for fall planting
- •Begin planning spring orders
September
- •Continue planting fall greens
- •Plant strawberries for spring production
- •Begin fall garden harvests
- •Cover summer crops if early frost threatens
October
- •Plant garlic cloves
- •Direct sow lettuce and spinach for winter harvest
- •Clean up finished summer crops
- •Apply fall fertilizer to lawn and perennials
November
- •Continue garlic planting (early November)
- •Mulch garlic after planting
- •Harvest cold-hardy crops as needed
- •Put garden to bed for winter
- Embrace fall gardening - Zone 7 has excellent conditions for cool-season crops from September through December
- Use shade cloth to extend lettuce and spinach season into summer
- Consider winter gardening with cold frames or low tunnels for year-round harvest
- Plant heat-tolerant lettuce varieties like Jericho for summer production
- Grow perennial vegetables like asparagus, artichokes, and rhubarb
- Try borderline-hardy fruits like figs with winter protection
When should I plant tomatoes in Zone 7?
Transplant tomatoes outdoors after your last frost date, typically mid to late April. Start seeds indoors 6-8 weeks earlier. In Zone 7b, you may be able to plant a week or two earlier with frost protection.
Can I grow citrus in Zone 7?
Most citrus is not hardy in Zone 7. However, cold-hardy varieties like Satsuma mandarins may survive in protected Zone 7b locations with winter wrapping. Most Zone 7 gardeners grow citrus in containers and bring them indoors.
What vegetables can I grow in winter in Zone 7?
Zone 7 allows some winter gardening. With cold frames or row covers, you can grow lettuce, spinach, kale, collards, and other greens through winter. Unprotected, garlic and overwintering onions grow well.
When is the last frost in Zone 7?
Zone 7 last frost dates typically range from March 15 to April 15. Zone 7a tends toward mid-April, while Zone 7b may see last frost in late March. Urban heat islands may be even earlier.