Zone 7 Planting Guide
Mild — Mid-South, Pacific Coast, Southern Appalachians
- Min Winter Temp
- 0 to 10 °F / -18 to -12 °C
- Last Spring Frost
- Late March – mid April
- First Fall Frost
- Mid October – mid November
- Growing Season
- 200–225 days
- Annual Rainfall
- 30–60 in
Climate overview
Zone 7 is one of the most gardener-friendly zones in the country. Winters are cold enough to give fruit trees proper chilling hours but mild enough that many broadleaf evergreens, camellias, and hollies survive without protection. Gardeners can grow two full seasons of vegetables annually — cool-season crops in fall, winter, and spring, and warm-season crops in summer. The Southeast version of Zone 7 is humid and prone to hot summers; the Pacific Northwest inland version has dry summers and moist winters. In both cases, the year-round growing opportunity is a significant advantage over colder zones.
States & regions
- Virginia (eastern)
- North Carolina
- Tennessee
- Arkansas
- Northern Georgia
- Northern Alabama
- Texas (northern)
- Oklahoma (south)
- California (inland valleys)
- Washington (Puget Sound area)
- Oregon (Willamette Valley)
Example cities
- Nashville, TN
- Charlotte, NC
- Memphis, TN
- Raleigh, NC
- Seattle, WA
- Eugene, OR
- Dallas, TX (northern suburbs)
Soil notes
Highly variable. Southeast soils are often red clay, acidic, and low in organic matter. Pacific Northwest soils tend to be rich, dark, and moisture-retentive. Both benefit from compost.
- Temperature range
- 0 to 10 °F / -18 to -12 °C
- Growing season
- 200–225 days
- Annual rainfall
- 30–60 inches
Challenges
- Hot, humid summers in the Southeast increase disease and heat stress
- Occasional ice storms and hard freezes damage broadleaf evergreens
- Clay soils in the Southeast drain poorly
- Summer drought in Pacific Northwest requires irrigation
Advantages
- Two distinct growing seasons for vegetables
- Mild winters allow overwintering of many crops
- Wide ornamental plant palette including camellias and gardenias
- Reliable chilling hours for fruit trees
Gardening strategies for Zone 7
- 1
Plant cool-season crops in September for fall/winter harvest
- 2
Overwinter kale, spinach, chard, and leeks without protection
- 3
Start warm-season transplants indoors in late February
- 4
Grow camellia, gardenia, and crape myrtle as ornamentals
- 5
Use shade cloth in summer to extend cool-season crop harvest
Monthly planting calendar
What to sow, transplant, and harvest each month in Zone 7.
Browse by sun exposure
Find the best plants for your specific spot in Zone 7.
Browse by plant category
Targeted guides for vegetables, herbs, fruits, and flowers in Zone 7.