USDA Hardiness Zone 7 Planting Guide
Zone 7 covers locations where the average annual extreme minimum winter temperature ranges from 0 to 10 degrees Fahrenheit. This page covers both subzones: zone 7a (0 to 5 degrees F) and zone 7b (5 to 10 degrees F).
Zone 7 Overview
Zone 7 stretches across the upper South, mid-Atlantic coast, Pacific Northwest lowlands, and parts of the Southwest. Minimum winter temperatures of 0 to 10 degrees Fahrenheit deliver mild winters that nonetheless provide sufficient cold for fruit tree dormancy and spring bloom. Growing seasons range from 180 to 240 days, which accommodates even long-season tropical and subtropical crops with some management. Zone 7 is where southern and northern gardening traditions merge: gardeners can grow both cold-hardy northern perennials and many plants traditionally associated with the Deep South. The zone represents one of the most productive and diverse gardening climates in the United States.
Zone 7 Temperature Ranges
| Subzone | Min Temp (°F) | Max Temp (°F) | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7a | 0°F | 5°F | Upper South and coastal Pacific Northwest; mild winters |
| 7b | 5°F | 10°F | Central South and mid-Atlantic coast; long growing season |
Plants for Zone 7
Zone 7 opens the door to many plants considered borderline in colder zones. Crape myrtles are fully reliable in all varieties. Camellias (sasanqua and many japonica varieties), gardenias, and Southern magnolias grow without protection. Fig trees produce abundantly. Hardy palms (windmill palm, needle palm) survive outdoors year-round. Citrus (satsuma mandarins and kumquats) can fruit reliably in zone 7b with proper siting. All standard fruit trees including peaches, apples, pears, cherries, and plums thrive. Native azaleas and rhododendrons bring spectacular spring color.
Vegetable Gardening in Zone 7
Zone 7's long season supports aggressive planting schedules. Spring tomato transplants can go out in mid-March to early April (depending on subzone), giving them a full growing season. Fall gardens planted in August produce abundantly through November and December. Many cool-season crops (kale, spinach, collards, carrots) overwinter under row covers, providing fresh harvests from January through March. Sweet potatoes, okra, and Southern peas produce bountifully in the warm summers. Two successions of bush beans and many other quick crops are standard practice.
Frost Protection & Season Tips for Zone 7
Zone 7 winters are generally mild but can deliver occasional arctic outbreaks that catch gardeners off guard. The primary risk is complacency: planting marginally hardy specimens (zone 8-rated plants) in exposed locations where they may be killed in a once-per-decade cold snap. Protecting citrus, gardenias, and other borderline plants with frost cloth during cold events takes minimal effort but prevents significant losses. Covering early-blooming fruit trees during late March cold snaps protects blossoms and secures the fruit crop.
Cities in Zone 7
The following cities in our database fall within zone 7. Click any city for detailed frost dates and planting calendars.
| City | State | Subzone | Growing Season | Last Spring Frost | First Fall Frost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Juneau | Alaska | 7a | 152 days | May 2 | October 1 |
| Prescott | Arizona | 7a | 167 days | May 1 | October 15 |
| New Haven | Connecticut | 7a | 193 days | April 15 | October 25 |
| Bridgeport | Connecticut | 7a | 201 days | April 10 | October 28 |
| Stamford | Connecticut | 7a | 197 days | April 12 | October 26 |
| Dover | Delaware | 7a | 201 days | April 10 | October 28 |
| Wilmington | Delaware | 7a | 195 days | April 13 | October 25 |
| Newark | Delaware | 7a | 190 days | April 15 | October 22 |
| Baltimore | Maryland | 7a | 215 days | April 3 | November 4 |
| Cape Cod | Massachusetts | 7a | 214 days | April 5 | November 5 |
| Newark | New Jersey | 7a | 203 days | April 8 | October 28 |
| Trenton | New Jersey | 7a | 198 days | April 10 | October 25 |
| Cherry Hill | New Jersey | 7a | 206 days | April 7 | October 30 |
| Albuquerque | New Mexico | 7a | 194 days | April 14 | October 25 |
| Asheville | North Carolina | 7a | 188 days | April 15 | October 20 |
| Oklahoma City | Oklahoma | 7a | 222 days | March 28 | November 5 |
| Tulsa | Oklahoma | 7a | 225 days | March 26 | November 6 |
| Norman | Oklahoma | 7a | 227 days | March 25 | November 7 |
| Philadelphia | Pennsylvania | 7a | 218 days | April 1 | November 5 |
| Newport | Rhode Island | 7a | 211 days | April 5 | November 2 |
| Nashville | Tennessee | 7a | 212 days | April 1 | October 30 |
| Knoxville | Tennessee | 7a | 209 days | April 2 | October 28 |
| Salt Lake City | Utah | 7a | 173 days | April 25 | October 15 |
| Roanoke | Virginia | 7a | 193 days | April 12 | October 22 |
| Birmingham | Alabama | 7b | 241 days | March 19 | November 15 |
| Huntsville | Alabama | 7b | 222 days | March 28 | November 5 |
| Sitka | Alaska | 7b | 183 days | April 20 | October 20 |
| Little Rock | Arkansas | 7b | 240 days | March 17 | November 12 |
| Fort Smith | Arkansas | 7b | 231 days | March 22 | November 8 |
| Atlanta | Georgia | 7b | 237 days | March 21 | November 13 |
| Annapolis | Maryland | 7b | 209 days | April 6 | November 1 |
| Tupelo | Mississippi | 7b | 228 days | March 22 | November 5 |
| Atlantic City | New Jersey | 7b | 217 days | April 2 | November 5 |
| Roswell | New Mexico | 7b | 210 days | April 3 | October 30 |
| New York City | New York | 7b | 224 days | April 1 | November 11 |
| Charlotte | North Carolina | 7b | 235 days | March 22 | November 12 |
| Raleigh | North Carolina | 7b | 225 days | March 28 | November 8 |
| Lawton | Oklahoma | 7b | 235 days | March 20 | November 10 |
| Greenville | South Carolina | 7b | 228 days | March 25 | November 8 |
| Memphis | Tennessee | 7b | 233 days | March 20 | November 8 |
| Chattanooga | Tennessee | 7b | 220 days | March 28 | November 3 |
| Richmond | Virginia | 7b | 215 days | April 2 | November 3 |