When to Plant in Tennessee: Vegetable & Flower Planting Calendar
Quick answer
Plant around your local last spring frost: across the 636 Tennessee ZIP codes where frost comes in most years, the median is Apr 6 and the median first fall frost is Oct 30 (nearest NOAA station, 1991–2020). Transplant tomatoes 1–2 weeks after your last frost: Zone 7 areas: Apr 15 – Apr 22; Zone 8 areas: Apr 3 – Apr 10.
Tennessee spans USDA hardiness zones 6b–8a on the 2023 USDA map (by ZIP code, via PRISM). For the 636 of its 636 ZIP codes where frost comes in most years, the nearest NOAA station’s median last spring frost (32°F, 1991–2020) is Apr 6 (middle 80% of ZIP codes: Mar 29 – Apr 20) and the median first fall frost is Oct 30 (Oct 22 – Nov 5). Use this guide to time seed-starting, transplanting and fall planting.
Where these dates come from: every date range is counted from the median (50% probability) 32°F last spring and first fall frost dates in NOAA’s 1991–2020 U.S. Climate Normals for the area shown. The rule under each date, such as “4–6 weeks before last frost,” shows how it was counted. These are averages: in about half of years a frost still comes after the spring date, and elevation, nearby water and microclimate can shift your yard by a week or more. For dates for your exact location, enter your ZIP code in the planner.
How we count planting dates: the weeks before or after frost for each crop come from university extension planting guides: UNH Extension, When to Plant Your Vegetable Garden; Rutgers FS787, Starting Vegetable Seeds Indoors; Virginia Tech 426-331, Home Garden Vegetable Planting Guide; University of Maryland Extension, Vegetable Planting Calendar; and University of Idaho CIS 1209 (marigolds and zinnias). Bulb windows approximate Rutgers’ rule to plant when soil falls below 60°F (FS1220), and garlic follows SDSU, Illinois and Virginia Tech. Temperature notes: UMD (potatoes), UMN (sweet corn), UC ANR (peppers, hardening off), UMN (eggplant), Colorado State (tomatoes) and SDSU (hardening off).
Tennessee frost dates by zone area
| Zone areas | Most common nearest NOAA stations | Median last spring frost (32°F) | Median first fall frost (32°F) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 7 (551 ZIP codes) | Knoxville Exp Stn, TN, Shelby Bottoms Nature, TN, Cleveland Fltr Plt, TN | Apr 8middle 80%: Apr 1 – Apr 20 | Oct 29middle 80%: Oct 22 – Nov 3 |
| Zone 8 (79 ZIP codes) | Memphis Wfo, TN, Memphis Intl Airport, TN, Chattanooga Lovell Airport, TN | Mar 27middle 80%: Mar 16 – Mar 31 | Nov 5middle 80%: Nov 3 – Nov 16 |
Source: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI), U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, annual/seasonal freeze-date probabilities (32°F, 50% probability). Station-level medians; your yard may differ.
How this table is built: each Tennessee ZIP code is matched to its nearest NOAA 1991–2020 freeze-data station (within 60 miles) and grouped by its 2023 USDA hardiness zone; dates are medians across the ZIP codes in each group. Zone groups with fewer than 5% of ZIP codes (1 ZIP codes) are left out of the columns. Some nearest stations are across the state line (Abingdon 3S, VA, Bridgeport 5 Nw, AL, Caruthersville, MO, Flat Springs 1E, NC, Lexington, AL, Murray, KY…). For your own ZIP, use the planner.
Tennessee vegetable planting calendar
Planting dates for each zone area of Tennessee, counted from that area’s median frost dates (shown under each column). Rows run in calendar order. For your exact dates, enter your ZIP.
| Plant, task and rule | Zone 7 areasLast frost Apr 8 · First frost Oct 29 | Zone 8 areasLast frost Mar 27 · First frost Nov 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Broccoli · Start indoors8–10 weeks before last frost | Jan 28 – Feb 11 | Jan 16 – Jan 30 |
| Cabbage · Start indoors8–10 weeks before last frost | Jan 28 – Feb 11 | Jan 16 – Jan 30 |
| Kale · Start indoors8–10 weeks before last frost | Jan 28 – Feb 11 | Jan 16 – Jan 30 |
| Tomatoes · Start indoors6–8 weeks before last frost | Feb 11 – Feb 25 | Jan 30 – Feb 13 |
| Peppers · Start indoors6–8 weeks before last frost | Feb 11 – Feb 25 | Jan 30 – Feb 13 |
| Eggplant · Start indoors6–8 weeks before last frost | Feb 11 – Feb 25 | Jan 30 – Feb 13 |
| Peas · Direct sow4–6 weeks before last frost | Feb 25 – Mar 11Harvest (est.) Apr 26 – May 30 | Feb 13 – Feb 27Harvest (est.) Apr 14 – May 18 |
| Spinach · Direct sow4–6 weeks before last frost | Feb 25 – Mar 11Harvest (est.) Apr 11 – May 10 | Feb 13 – Feb 27Harvest (est.) Mar 30 – Apr 28 |
| Basil · Start indoors4–6 weeks before last frost | Feb 25 – Mar 11 | Feb 13 – Feb 27 |
| Radishes · Direct sow2–5 weeks before last frost | Mar 4 – Mar 25Harvest (est.) Mar 24 – Apr 24 | Feb 20 – Mar 13Harvest (est.) Mar 12 – Apr 12 |
| Lettuce · Direct sow2–4 weeks before last frost | Mar 11 – Mar 25Harvest (est.) May 10 – Jun 13 | Feb 27 – Mar 13Harvest (est.) Apr 28 – Jun 1 |
| Onions (sets/transplants) · Plant sets/transplants2–4 weeks before last frost | Mar 11 – Mar 25Harvest (est.) Jun 4 – Jul 23 | Feb 27 – Mar 13Harvest (est.) May 23 – Jul 11 |
| Broccoli · Transplant2–4 weeks before last frost | Mar 11 – Mar 25Harvest (est.) Apr 30 – Jun 3 | Feb 27 – Mar 13Harvest (est.) Apr 18 – May 22 |
| Cabbage · Transplant2–4 weeks before last frost | Mar 11 – Mar 25Harvest (est.) May 20 – Jun 23 | Feb 27 – Mar 13Harvest (est.) May 8 – Jun 11 |
| Kale · Transplant2–4 weeks before last frost | Mar 11 – Mar 25 | Feb 27 – Mar 13 |
| Marigolds · Start indoors0–3 weeks before last frost (3–4 weeks before setting out; Univ. of Idaho) | Mar 18 – Apr 8 | Mar 6 – Mar 27 |
| Zinnias · Start indoors0–3 weeks before last frost (3–4 weeks before setting out; Univ. of Idaho) | Mar 18 – Apr 8 | Mar 6 – Mar 27 |
| Potatoes · Plant seed potatoes1–2 weeks before last frost | Mar 25 – Apr 1Harvest (est.) Jun 18 – Jul 20 | Mar 13 – Mar 20Harvest (est.) Jun 6 – Jul 8 |
| Marigolds · Direct sow / transplantfrom the last frost to 2 weeks after (Univ. of Idaho) | Apr 8 – Apr 22 | Mar 27 – Apr 10 |
| Zinnias · Direct sow / transplantfrom the last frost to 2 weeks after (Univ. of Idaho) | Apr 8 – Apr 22 | Mar 27 – Apr 10 |
| Tomatoes · Transplant1–2 weeks after last frost | Apr 15 – Apr 22Harvest (est.) Jun 24 – Jul 21 | Apr 3 – Apr 10Harvest (est.) Jun 12 – Jul 9 |
| Beans (bush & pole) · Direct sow1–2 weeks after last frost | Apr 15 – Apr 22Harvest (est.) May 30 – Jul 1 | Apr 3 – Apr 10Harvest (est.) May 18 – Jun 19 |
| Sweet corn · Direct sow1–2 weeks after last frost | Apr 15 – Apr 22Harvest (est.) Jun 19 – Jul 21 | Apr 3 – Apr 10Harvest (est.) Jun 7 – Jul 9 |
| Cucumbers · Direct sow1–2 weeks after last frost | Apr 15 – Apr 22Harvest (est.) May 25 – Jun 26 | Apr 3 – Apr 10Harvest (est.) May 13 – Jun 14 |
| Squash · Direct sow1–2 weeks after last frost | Apr 15 – Apr 22Harvest (est.) May 25 – Jun 11 | Apr 3 – Apr 10Harvest (est.) May 13 – May 30 |
| Pumpkins · Direct sow1–3 weeks after last frost | Apr 15 – Apr 29Harvest (est.) Jul 4 – Aug 7 | Apr 3 – Apr 17Harvest (est.) Jun 22 – Jul 26 |
| Basil · Transplant1–2 weeks after last frost | Apr 15 – Apr 22Harvest (est.) May 27 – Jun 3 | Apr 3 – Apr 10Harvest (est.) May 15 – May 22 |
| Peppers · Transplant2–3 weeks after last frost | Apr 22 – Apr 29Harvest (est.) Jun 26 – Jul 13 | Apr 10 – Apr 17Harvest (est.) Jun 14 – Jul 1 |
| Eggplant · Transplant2–3 weeks after last frost | Apr 22 – Apr 29Harvest (est.) Jul 1 – Jul 28 | Apr 10 – Apr 17Harvest (est.) Jun 19 – Jul 16 |
| Broccoli · Fall transplant10–12 weeks before first fall frost | Aug 6 – Aug 20Harvest (est.) Sep 25 – Oct 29 | Aug 13 – Aug 27Harvest (est.) Oct 2 – Nov 5 |
| Cabbage · Fall transplant10–12 weeks before first fall frost | Aug 6 – Aug 20Harvest (est.) Oct 15 – Nov 18 | Aug 13 – Aug 27Harvest (est.) Oct 22 – Nov 25 |
| Kale · Fall sow8–10 weeks before first fall frost | Aug 20 – Sep 3Harvest (est.) Oct 9 – Nov 12 | Aug 27 – Sep 10Harvest (est.) Oct 16 – Nov 19 |
| Lettuce · Fall sow6–8 weeks before first fall frost | Sep 3 – Sep 17Harvest (est.) Nov 2 – Dec 6 | Sep 10 – Sep 24Harvest (est.) Nov 9 – Dec 13 |
| Spinach · Fall sow4–7 weeks before first fall frost (Virginia Tech) | Sep 10 – Oct 1Harvest (est.) Oct 25 – Nov 30 | Sep 17 – Oct 8Harvest (est.) Nov 1 – Dec 7 |
| Radishes · Fall sow4–6 weeks before first fall frost | Sep 17 – Oct 1Harvest (est.) Oct 7 – Oct 31 | Sep 24 – Oct 8Harvest (est.) Oct 14 – Nov 7 |
| Daffodils · Fall plant bulbs4 weeks before to 2 weeks after first fall frost (our approximation of when soil falls below 60°F; Rutgers) | Oct 1 – Nov 12 | Oct 8 – Nov 19 |
| Tulips · Fall plant bulbs2 weeks before to 4 weeks after first fall frost (our approximation of when soil falls below 60°F; Rutgers) | Oct 15 – Nov 26 | Oct 22 – Dec 3 |
| Garlic · Fall plant cloves2 weeks before to 3 weeks after first fall frost, while the soil is still workable (SDSU, Illinois, Virginia Tech) | Oct 15 – Nov 19Harvest (est.) Jun 22, 2027 – Aug 16, 2027 | Oct 22 – Nov 26Harvest (est.) Jun 29, 2027 – Aug 23, 2027 |
About the harvest estimates
Each expected harvest window adds the days to harvest from the sources below to the planting window. Days count from sowing seed (or planting seed potatoes, onion sets or garlic cloves) or, where marked, from setting transplants out; “Start indoors” rows have no harvest of their own. Harvest timing varies with variety and weather, and many crops keep producing for weeks after the first picking. For frost-tender crops (tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, beans, sweet corn, cucumbers, squash, pumpkins, basil) the window stops at the first fall frost: harvest may end early at the first fall frost. Flowers and bulbs show no harvest window, and kale has no sourced figure for spring transplants.
Sources: UF/IFAS Extension, Florida Vegetable Gardening Guide (SP103/VH021), Table 1, “Days to Harvest”; University of Maryland Extension, Growing Onions in a Home Garden; University of Maryland Extension, Growing Garlic in a Home Garden; University of Maryland Extension, Growing Basil in a Home Garden.
Growing notes for each crop
- Peas: Tolerates light frost; sow when soil is workable
- Spinach: Fall crop too: sow 4–7 weeks before first fall frost (Virginia Tech)
- Lettuce: Bolts in heat; succession sow; fall crop too
- Radishes: Fast (3–4 weeks); sow again for fall (see Fall sow dates)
- Kale: Fall crop too (see Fall sow dates); frost sweetens leaves
- Onions (sets/transplants): Choose day-length type suited to your latitude
- Potatoes: Soil at least 45°F (UMD); hill as plants grow
- Broccoli: Cool-season; harden off; good fall crop
- Cabbage: Cool-season; harden off; good fall crop
- Tomatoes: Wait for nights reliably above about 52°F (Colorado State)
- Peppers: Need warm soil: about 65°F is optimal for transplanting (UC ANR)
- Eggplant: Transplant after nights stay above 50°F (UMN)
- Beans (bush & pole): Seeds rot in cold, wet soil
- Sweet corn: Soil 60°F+ (UNH, UMN); plant in blocks for pollination
- Cucumbers: Frost-tender; watch for cucumber beetles
- Squash: Frost-tender; watch for squash vine borer
- Pumpkins: For October pumpkins, many sow in late May–June
- Basil: Very cold-sensitive
- Marigolds: Easy warm-season annual
- Zinnias: Easy warm-season annual
- Tulips: Our frost-date window is an approximation of that soil rule. In zone 9, chill bulbs 12–16 weeks first (Clemson)
- Daffodils: Our frost-date window is an approximation of that soil rule; slightly earlier than tulips is fine
- Garlic: Harvest the following early summer
Tennessee USDA zone guides: Zone 6 planting guide Zone 7 planting guide Zone 8 planting guide
How we count planting dates: the weeks before or after frost for each crop come from university extension planting guides: UNH Extension, When to Plant Your Vegetable Garden; Rutgers FS787, Starting Vegetable Seeds Indoors; Virginia Tech 426-331, Home Garden Vegetable Planting Guide; University of Maryland Extension, Vegetable Planting Calendar; and University of Idaho CIS 1209 (marigolds and zinnias). Bulb windows approximate Rutgers’ rule to plant when soil falls below 60°F (FS1220), and garlic follows SDSU, Illinois and Virginia Tech. Temperature notes: UMD (potatoes), UMN (sweet corn), UC ANR (peppers, hardening off), UMN (eggplant), Colorado State (tomatoes) and SDSU (hardening off).
Tips for Tennessee gardeners
- Watch soil temperature, not just the calendar — warm-season crops stall in cold soil. An inexpensive soil thermometer helps.
- Harden off transplants over 7–10 days before planting out (UC ANR, SDSU).
- Ask your local Cooperative Extension office about varieties and timing for your county; find it in the USDA NIFA land-grant university directory.
- Keep weeds down early — see our weed identification guide.
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Tennessee?
Across the 636 Tennessee ZIP codes where frost comes in most years, the median last spring frost (32°F, NOAA 1991–2020) at the nearest station is Apr 6, and the middle 80% of ZIP codes range from Mar 29 to Apr 20. Check the average for your ZIP code, and remember frost can occur after the average date.
When can I plant tomatoes in Tennessee?
Transplant tomatoes outdoors 1–2 weeks after your average last frost, once nights stay above about 52°F (Colorado State). Typical dates: Zone 7 areas: Apr 15 – Apr 22; Zone 8 areas: Apr 3 – Apr 10.
What USDA zone is Tennessee?
Tennessee spans roughly USDA hardiness zones 6b–8a on the 2023 USDA map (by ZIP code, via PRISM). Hardiness zones describe winter low temperatures, not frost dates.
Other state planting calendars
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