When to Plant Vegetables in Tennessee
Tennessee has climate and soil conditions that makes it an ideal location for growing a variety of vegetables. Depending on the specifics of your local climate, the time of year you choose to plant vegetables can have a huge impact on the success of your harvest.
Ideal Vegetable Planting Times in Tennessee
In Tennessee, the best time to plant vegetables depends on whether they are frost-sensitive or frost-tolerant. Here is a list of planting times by crop type:
- Frost-sensitive crops: These crops should generally be planted 4-6 weeks prior to average last frost date, which in Tennessee is late April/early May. These include crops like beans, corn, tomatoes, squash, pumpkins.
- Frost-tolerant crops: These crops should generally be planted 4-6 weeks prior to the average first frost date in Tennessee, which is typically October. These include crops like broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, kale, beets, and Brussels sprouts.
Guidelines for Planting Vegetables in Tennessee
When planting vegetables in Tennessee, there are some general guidelines to keep in mind:
- If planning to direct seed garden beds, wait until soil temperatures reach at least 55 degrees Fahrenheit, which typically occurs in late April – early May.
- Transplant seedlings after danger of frost has passed in spring, typically in May or early June.
- Direct seed root crops in early to late summer, such as carrots, turnips, beets, and onions.
- Plant cool-season crops in August, such as lettuce, spinach, kale, cabbage, and cauliflower.
- Ideally, plant beans, squash, corn, and tomatoes in late June/early July to ensure an abundant harvest.
- Be mindful of frost-sensitive plants, such as tomatoes, and keep a watchful eye on temperatures in late fall in Tennessee.
Following these guidelines and planting times will help ensure a successful harvest of vegetables in Tennessee!
