When To Plant Vegetables In Tennessee

Knowing when to plant vegetables in Tennessee is the single most important factor for a successful garden. Our state’s unique climate, with its long growing season and variable spring weather, requires careful timing.

This guide will help you navigate the frost dates and soil temperatures to get your plants in the ground at the right moment. You’ll learn how to break the season into cool and warm planting windows for the best results.

Tennessee spans USDA Hardiness Zones 6a to 8a, meaning the last spring frost can be as early as late March in the west or as late as mid-April in the mountains. The first fall frost typically arrives between mid-October and early November. These dates are your garden’s calendar.

For precise planning, find your area’s average last frost date. Then, use the guide below, which seperates vegetables into two main groups: cool-season and warm-season crops.

Understanding Your Tennessee Growing Seasons

Our climate gives us two primary planting seasons. Cool-season crops thrive in the cooler temperatures of spring and fall. Warm-season crops need the heat of summer and must be planted after all danger of frost has passed.

Cool-Season Vegetables (Plant in Early Spring & Late Summer)

These vegetables can tolerate light frosts and even taste better when matured in cool weather. You can plant them as soon as the soil is workable in spring—often 4-6 weeks before the last frost.

Leafy Greens: Lettuce, spinach, kale, and arugula. Direct sow seeds early.
Root Vegetables: Radishes, carrots, beets, and turnips. They germinate in cool soil.
Cole Crops: Broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, and Brussels sprouts. Often started indoors or transplanted.
Peas: English and snap peas. Plant seeds as soon as the ground thaws.

For a fall harvest, you plant these same crops again in late summer. Calculate the planting date by finding the days to maturity on your seed packet and counting back from your average first fall frost, then adding about 2 weeks for slower growth as days shorten.

Warm-Season Vegetables (Plant After Last Frost)

These are frost-sensitive and will be damaged or killed by cold. Wait until the soil has thoroughly warmed, typically 1-2 weeks after your last frost date. Nighttime temperatures should reliably stay above 50°F.

Nightshades: Tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, and potatoes. Start seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before transplanting.
Legumes: Beans and southern peas. Direct sow seeds after danger of frost.
Cucurbits: Cucumbers, squash, zucchini, melons, and pumpkins. Direct sow or transplant after soil is warm.
Corn & Okra: Direct sow only when the soil is very warm, often late May.

A Month-by-Month Planting Guide for Tennessee

This timeline is a general guide. Always adjust for your specific zone and current year’s weather patterns.

February – March (Early Spring)

Focus on cool-season crops and indoor seed starting. The soil is beginning to thaw.

Indoors: Start seeds for tomatoes, peppers, and eggplants.
Outdoors (as soil becomes workable): Direct sow peas, spinach, radishes, kale, and lettuce. Plant onion sets and potato pieces.
Transplant: You can set out hardy broccoli and cabbage plants in late March.

April – May (Mid to Late Spring)

This is the busiest planting time. Frost danger tapers off by mid-April in most areas, but be prepared to cover tender plants if a late frost is forcasted.

Early April: Continue sowing cool-season crops. Transplant broccoli and cabbage.
Late April to Early May: Transplant tomatoes, peppers, and eggplants after last frost. Direct sow beans, corn, cucumbers, and squash.
Direct sow warm-season seeds like okra and southern peas in May.

June – July (Summer Planting)

Shift focus to maintenance and succession planting. Harvest early crops and replant.

Harvest spring radishes, lettuce, and peas as they finish.
In the vacated space, plant successions of beans, cucumbers, and summer squash.
In July, start your fall garden! Sow seeds for broccoli, cabbage, carrots, and greens to transplant or thin later.

August – September (Fall Garden Planting)

The fall garden is just as productive as the spring one. Cooler temperatures return and pests are less numerous.

Early August: Direct sow beets, carrots, kale, and Swiss chard.
Late August: Transplant your July-started broccoli and cabbage seedlings.
Early September: Sow more lettuce, spinach, and radishes for a continuous harvest.

Key Factors for Perfect Planting Timing

Beyond the calendar, use these natural signs to guide you.

Soil Temperature is Crucial

Seeds germinate based on soil temp, not air temperature. A simple soil thermometer is a great investment.

Cool-season crops: Plant when soil is consistently 40-50°F.
Warm-season crops: Wait until soil is at least 60-70°F. Tomatoes and peppers prefer it even warmer.

Reading the Weather, Not Just the Date

The average frost date is just a guide. Watch the 10-day forcast closely in spring and fall. Have floating row covers or old sheets ready to protect plants from a suprise frost. Wet, cold soil can rot seeds, so if spring is very rainy, it’s better to wait a few extra days for the soil to dry a bit.

Using Microclimates to Your Advantage

Your own yard has small climate variations. A south-facing wall absorbs heat and can allow for earlier planting. Low spots collect cold air and frost, so avoid planting tender crops there. Use these spots strategically to extend your season.

Common Planting Mistakes to Avoid

Planting too early: Impatience is a gardener’s biggest enemy. Cold soil stalls growth and invites disease.
Ignoring soil prep: Never skip amending soil with compost. Good soil means healthier plants that better withstand weather stress.
Crowding plants: Follow spacing on seed packets. Good air flow prevents fungal diseases, which are common in Tennessee’s humidity.
Forgetting to harden off: Always acclimate indoor-started seedlings to outdoor conditions over 7-10 days before transplanting.

Tennessee Vegetable Gardening FAQ

What is the best month to plant a garden in Tennessee?

There isn’t one single month. The best planting times in Tennessee are staggered. Cool-season planting peaks in March-April and again in August. Warm-season planting is best in May.

When should I plant tomatoes in Tennessee?

For planting tomatoes in TN, transplant seedlings outdoors after your last spring frost date, typically from mid-April to early May. Ensure soil is warm.

Can you grow vegetables year-round in Tennessee?

With protection like cold frames or hoop houses, you can grow hardy greens like spinach and kale through much of the winter. The Tennessee growing season is long, but not truly year-round for all crops without help.

What vegetables grow best in Tennessee heat?

Okra, southern peas, sweet potatoes, peppers, and eggplant excel in the peak summer heat and humidity of a Tennessee summer garden.

When do you plant potatoes in Tennessee?

Plant seed potato pieces in early to mid-March, as soon as the soil is workable. They are a cool-season crop but need to be harvested before the deepest summer heat.

By following this seasonal rhythm, you align your garden with Tennessee’s natural climate. Start with your frost dates, listen to the soil, and you’ll enjoy a productive harvest from spring straight through to fall.