Planting calendar for Memphis, Tennessee

Dates from 30 years of records at the Memphis Intl Airport weather station, 7.3 miles from Memphis, worked out crop by crop with the same method as the Year Round Garden app.

Memphis at a glance

Weather station: Memphis Intl Airport · 7.3 mi
USDA zone: 8a
Last spring frost: typically Mar 16; 1 year in 10 after Apr 4
First fall frost: typically Nov 16; 1 year in 10 before Nov 2
Frost-free season: about 245 days
Hottest month: July: highs 92°F, nights 74°F
Coldest month: January: highs 51°F, nights 33°F
Rain: 55 in. a year, most in March, April and December

What shapes the seasons here

The last spring frost in Memphis typically comes around Mar 16, but 1 year in 10 it comes after Apr 4. The first fall frost typically arrives around Nov 16. That leaves about 245 frost-free days for tender crops like tomatoes, peppers and squash.

Summer nights average 74°F in July. Above about 75°F, tomatoes and peppers stop setting fruit, so the best tomato planting here is Mar 27–Apr 10, Jul 20–Aug 9, timed so plants fruit before or after the hottest weeks.

Memphis gets about 55 inches of rain a year, most of it in March, April and December. Crops that rot or get disease in hot, wet weather are timed to miss those months.

165 of the 174 crops in the app grow here; 9 need a different climate (listed near the bottom).

When to plant the most popular crops

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Tomato (slicing)

Tomato (cherry & grape)

Pepper (sweet / bell)

Pepper (hot / chili)

Eggplant

Cucumber (slicing)

Summer squash & zucchini

Watermelon

Bean (bush snap)

Sweet corn

Okra

Sweet potato

Potato

Pea (snap & snow)

Lettuce (leaf & mesclun)

Spinach

Kale

Collard greens

Broccoli

Cabbage

Carrot

Radish

Onion (bulbing)

Garlic

Basil

Cilantro

Strawberry

Best Can plant Start indoors

Get these dates as reminders for your exact yard

The free Year Round Garden app uses the weather station nearest your own address, not just the city. It reminds you when to start seeds, plant and harvest, sends frost and storm alerts from the National Weather Service, and keeps a garden journal. No account needed, in English and Spanish.

Download on the App Store Free for up to 5 plants on iPhone and Android.

What to plant in Memphis, month by month

January6

Best time to plant

Vegetables: Collard greens, Kale, Mache (corn salad), Shallot, Spinach

Fruit: Blueberry

Can also plant

Brussels sprouts, Leek, Parsnip, Rutabaga, Larkspur

Start seeds indoors

Artichoke, Broccoli, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Lettuce (romaine & head), Catnip, Feverfew, Lavender, Lovage, Rosemary, Sage, Thyme, Purple coneflower (echinacea), Statice, Stock

February35

Best time to plant

Vegetables: Arugula, Asparagus, Beet, Broccoli, Broccoli raab (rapini), Cabbage, Collard greens, Fava bean, Green onion / scallion, Kale, Kohlrabi, Lettuce (leaf & mesclun), Mustard greens, Onion (bulbing), Pea (shelling / English), Pea (snap & snow), Potato, Radicchio, Radish, Rhubarb, Shallot, Spinach, Turnip

Herbs: Chamomile

Fruit: Blackberry, Blueberry, Grape (bunch), Raspberry, Strawberry

Flowers: Bachelor's button (cornflower), California poppy, Coreopsis (tickseed), Pansy / viola, Snapdragon, Sweet pea (flower)

Can also plant

Brussels sprouts, Leek, Mache (corn salad), Parsnip, Rutabaga, Larkspur

Start seeds indoors

Eggplant, Lettuce (romaine & head), Pepper (hot / chili), Pepper (sweet / bell), Tomatillo, Tomato (cherry & grape), Tomato (early / short-season), Tomato (paste / determinate), Tomato (slicing), Anise hyssop, Bee balm (bergamot), Chives, Garlic chives, Lemon balm, Marjoram, Oregano, Sage, Shiso (perilla), Thyme, Winter savory, Cucamelon / mouse melon, Ground cherry, Annual salvia, Milkweed (native), Strawflower

March69

Best time to plant

Vegetables: Artichoke, Arugula, Asparagus, Beet, Bok choy / pak choi, Broccoli raab (rapini), Carrot, Cauliflower, Celery, Chickpea / garbanzo, Chinese broccoli (gai lan), Daikon radish, Fennel (bulb), Garden cress, Komatsuna (mustard spinach), Lettuce (leaf & mesclun), Lettuce (romaine & head), Mustard greens, Napa / Chinese cabbage, Onion (bulbing), Potato, Radish, Rhubarb, Sunchoke (Jerusalem artichoke), Swiss chard, Tomato (early / short-season), Watercress

Herbs: Anise hyssop, Bay laurel, Bee balm (bergamot), Borage, Caraway, Catnip, Chervil, Chives, Cilantro, Dill, Fenugreek (methi), Feverfew, Garlic chives, Lavender, Lemon balm, Lovage, Marjoram, Mint, Oregano, Parsley, Rosemary, Sage, Sorrel (French / garden), Summer savory, Tarragon (French), Thyme, Winter savory

Fruit: Fig, Grape (bunch), Muscadine grape, Strawberry

Flowers: Bachelor's button (cornflower), Black-eyed Susan, Calendula, California poppy, Milkweed (native), Nasturtium, Purple coneflower (echinacea), Statice, Stock, Strawflower, Sweet alyssum

Can also plant

Broccoli, Cabbage, Collard greens, Green onion / scallion, Kale, Kohlrabi, Mache (corn salad), Pea (shelling / English), Pea (snap & snow), Shallot, Spinach, Turnip, Chamomile, Blackberry, Blueberry, Raspberry, Coreopsis (tickseed), Pansy / viola

Start seeds indoors

Celeriac (celery root), Malabar spinach, Roselle, Tomato (heat-set varieties), Basil, Celosia, Marigold, Milkweed (native)

April50

Best time to plant

Vegetables: Amaranth greens / callaloo, Armenian cucumber, Bean (bush snap), Bean (dry / shelling), Bean (lima), Bean (pole), Bitter melon, Cucumber (pickling), Cucumber (slicing), Edamame, Eggplant, New Zealand spinach, Pepper (hot / chili), Pepper (sweet / bell), Pumpkin, Purslane, Summer squash & zucchini, Tomatillo, Tomato (cherry & grape), Tomato (heat-set varieties), Tomato (paste / determinate), Tomato (slicing), Winter melon / wax gourd, Winter squash

Herbs: Anise hyssop, Basil, Bay laurel, Borage, Epazote, Fenugreek (methi), Garlic chives, Lavender, Lemon verbena, Marjoram, Oregano, Papalo, Rosemary, Tarragon (French), Thyme, Vietnamese coriander (rau ram), Winter savory

Fruit: Cantaloupe & melons, Cucamelon / mouse melon, Ground cherry, Watermelon

Flowers: Annual salvia, Black-eyed Susan, Marigold, Milkweed (native), Purple coneflower (echinacea)

Can also plant

Arugula, Asparagus, Collard greens, Garden cress, Green onion / scallion, Kohlrabi, Komatsuna (mustard spinach), Lettuce (leaf & mesclun), Mustard greens, Popcorn, Radish, Sweet corn, Swiss chard, Tomato (early / short-season), Turnip, Watercress, Bee balm (bergamot), Catnip, Chives, Cuban oregano, Dill, Lemon balm, Mint, Sage, Shiso (perilla), Sorrel (French / garden), Stevia, Summer savory, Blackberry, Fig, Strawberry, Calendula, Cleome (spider flower), Cosmos, Globe amaranth (gomphrena), Nasturtium, Statice, Strawflower, Sunflower, Sweet alyssum, Zinnia

Start seeds indoors

Cardoon, Celeriac (celery root), Celery, Ginger, Onion (bulbing), Sweet potato, Annual salvia, Globe amaranth (gomphrena), Pentas (Egyptian star cluster)

May20

Best time to plant

Vegetables: Bottle gourd / cucuzza, Luffa gourd, Malabar spinach, Moringa, Okinawa spinach, Okra, Peanut, Pigeon pea, Roselle, Salsify, Seminole pumpkin / calabaza, Southern pea / cowpea, Winged bean, Yardlong bean

Herbs: Cuban oregano, Culantro, Stevia, Vietnamese coriander (rau ram)

Flowers: Annual salvia, Marigold

Can also plant

Amaranth greens / callaloo, Armenian cucumber, Bean (bush snap), Bean (lima), Bitter melon, Edamame, Eggplant, Ginger, New Zealand spinach, Pepper (hot / chili), Pepper (sweet / bell), Popcorn, Purslane, Sweet corn, Sweet potato, Tomatillo, Tomato (cherry & grape), Tomato (early / short-season), Tomato (heat-set varieties), Winter melon / wax gourd, Anise hyssop, Basil, Bay laurel, Epazote, Garlic chives, Lemon verbena, Lemongrass, Marjoram, Oregano, Papalo, Rosemary, Shiso (perilla), Thyme, Winter savory, Cantaloupe & melons, Cucamelon / mouse melon, Ground cherry, Watermelon, Black-eyed Susan, Celosia, Cleome (spider flower), Cosmos, Globe amaranth (gomphrena), Milkweed (native), Pentas (Egyptian star cluster), Purple coneflower (echinacea), Sunflower, Zinnia

Start seeds indoors

Celeriac (celery root), Eggplant, Pepper (hot / chili), Pepper (sweet / bell), Sweet potato, Annual salvia, Celosia, Globe amaranth (gomphrena), Marigold, Pentas (Egyptian star cluster)

June18

Best time to plant

Vegetables: Cardoon, Celeriac (celery root), Ginger, Onion (bulbing), Pumpkin, Salsify, Seminole pumpkin / calabaza, Sweet potato, Winter melon / wax gourd

Herbs: Cuban oregano, Lemongrass

Flowers: Black-eyed Susan, Cleome (spider flower), Cosmos, Globe amaranth (gomphrena), Pentas (Egyptian star cluster), Sunflower, Zinnia

Can also plant

Amaranth greens / callaloo, Armenian cucumber, Bean (dry / shelling), Bean (lima), Bitter melon, Bottle gourd / cucuzza, Celery, Edamame, Eggplant, Luffa gourd, Malabar spinach, Moringa, New Zealand spinach, Okinawa spinach, Okra, Peanut, Pepper (hot / chili), Pepper (sweet / bell), Popcorn, Potato, Purslane, Shallot, Southern pea / cowpea, Sweet corn, Tomatillo, Tomato (cherry & grape), Tomato (early / short-season), Tomato (heat-set varieties), Tomato (paste / determinate), Tomato (slicing), Winged bean, Winter squash, Yardlong bean, Basil, Culantro, Epazote, Papalo, Shiso (perilla), Cantaloupe & melons, Cucamelon / mouse melon, Ground cherry, Watermelon, Annual salvia, Celosia, Marigold

Start seeds indoors

Pepper (sweet / bell), Tomato (cherry & grape), Tomato (early / short-season), Tomato (heat-set varieties), Tomato (paste / determinate), Tomato (slicing), Parsley, Annual salvia, Celosia, Globe amaranth (gomphrena), Marigold, Pentas (Egyptian star cluster), Statice

July27

Best time to plant

Vegetables: Bean (dry / shelling), Bean (lima), Celeriac (celery root), Celery, Edamame, Eggplant, Pepper (hot / chili), Pepper (sweet / bell), Southern pea / cowpea, Sweet corn, Tomato (heat-set varieties), Tomato (paste / determinate), Tomato (slicing), Winter squash, Yardlong bean

Fruit: Cantaloupe & melons, Watermelon

Flowers: Annual salvia, Black-eyed Susan, Celosia, Cleome (spider flower), Cosmos, Globe amaranth (gomphrena), Marigold, Pentas (Egyptian star cluster), Sunflower, Zinnia

Can also plant

Amaranth greens / callaloo, Armenian cucumber, Bean (bush snap), Bean (pole), Bitter melon, Bottle gourd / cucuzza, Collard greens, Cucumber (pickling), Cucumber (slicing), New Zealand spinach, Okra, Onion (bulbing), Popcorn, Potato, Purslane, Shallot, Summer squash & zucchini, Swiss chard, Tomatillo, Tomato (cherry & grape), Tomato (early / short-season), Basil, Borage, Epazote, Papalo, Parsley, Shiso (perilla), Cucamelon / mouse melon, Ground cherry, Statice, Strawflower

Start seeds indoors

Broccoli, Cabbage, Leek, Tomato (early / short-season), Basil, Marigold, Pansy / viola, Stock, Strawflower

August37

Best time to plant

Vegetables: Armenian cucumber, Bean (bush snap), Bean (pole), Bitter melon, Cabbage, Carrot, Chinese broccoli (gai lan), Cucumber (pickling), Cucumber (slicing), Eggplant, New Zealand spinach, Okra, Pepper (sweet / bell), Purslane, Summer squash & zucchini, Sweet corn, Tomato (cherry & grape), Tomato (early / short-season), Tomato (heat-set varieties), Tomato (paste / determinate), Tomato (slicing), Yardlong bean

Herbs: Basil, Borage, Caraway, Chamomile, Dill, Epazote, Parsley

Flowers: Annual salvia, Black-eyed Susan, Cosmos, Marigold, Pentas (Egyptian star cluster), Statice, Strawflower, Zinnia

Can also plant

Amaranth greens / callaloo, Arugula, Beet, Bottle gourd / cucuzza, Collard greens, Kale, Kohlrabi, Komatsuna (mustard spinach), Leek, Lettuce (leaf & mesclun), Napa / Chinese cabbage, Parsnip, Shallot, Swiss chard, Turnip, Fenugreek (methi), Papalo, Shiso (perilla), Cucamelon / mouse melon, Ground cherry, Calendula, Globe amaranth (gomphrena), Nasturtium, Sweet alyssum

Start seeds indoors

Brussels sprouts, Leek

September26

Best time to plant

Vegetables: Amaranth greens / callaloo, Arugula, Beet, Broccoli, Carrot, Chinese broccoli (gai lan), Daikon radish, Kohlrabi, Komatsuna (mustard spinach), Leek, Lettuce (leaf & mesclun), Mustard greens, Parsnip, Pea (shelling / English), Pea (snap & snow), Shallot, Swiss chard, Turnip

Herbs: Borage, Chamomile, Dill, Fenugreek (methi)

Flowers: Calendula, Pansy / viola, Stock, Sweet alyssum

Can also plant

Broccoli raab (rapini), Brussels sprouts, Collard greens, Garden cress, Kale, Lettuce (romaine & head), Mache (corn salad), Radish, Rutabaga, Spinach, Chervil, Cilantro, Larkspur

Start seeds indoors

Brussels sprouts, Leek

October16

Best time to plant

Vegetables: Arugula, Brussels sprouts, Collard greens, Garden cress, Garlic, Kale, Leek, Mache (corn salad), Mustard greens, Parsnip, Radish, Rutabaga, Shallot, Spinach

Flowers: Larkspur, Pansy / viola

Start seeds indoors

Brussels sprouts, Leek

November12

Best time to plant

Vegetables: Brussels sprouts, Collard greens, Elephant garlic, Garlic, Kale, Leek, Mache (corn salad), Parsnip, Rutabaga, Shallot, Spinach

Flowers: Larkspur

Start seeds indoors

Brussels sprouts, Onion (bulbing), Pansy / viola

December10

Best time to plant

Vegetables: Brussels sprouts, Collard greens, Kale, Leek, Mache (corn salad), Parsnip, Rutabaga, Shallot, Spinach

Flowers: Larkspur

Start seeds indoors

Celery, Onion (bulbing), Parsley, Pansy / viola, Snapdragon

Every crop that grows in Memphis

165 of 174 crops in the app fit this climate. Dates are for planting outdoors; “Start indoors” is for seeds you grow into transplants.

Vegetables

Crop	Best time to plant	Also possible	Start indoors	How
Amaranth greens / callaloo	Apr 13–27, Aug 29–Sep 18	Apr 28–Aug 28	—	Sow seeds
Armenian cucumber	Mar 27–Apr 10, Jul 28–Aug 17	Apr 11–Jul 27	—	Sow seeds
Artichoke	Mar 2–11	—	Dec 29–Jan 7	Set out plants
Arugula	Feb 3–Mar 20, Sep 21–Oct 9	Feb 2, Mar 21–Apr 21, Aug 21–Sep 20	—	Sow seeds
Asparagus	Feb 16–Mar 16	Mar 17–Apr 13	—	Set out plants
Bean (bush snap)	Mar 27–Apr 10, Aug 11–Sep 1	Apr 11–May 11, Jul 9–Aug 10	—	Sow seeds
Bean (dry / shelling)	Mar 27–Apr 10, Jul 7–28	Apr 11–18, Jun 11–Jul 6	—	Sow seeds
Bean (lima)	Apr 13–27, Jul 13–Aug 2	Apr 28–Jul 12	—	Sow seeds
Bean (pole)	Mar 27–Apr 10, Aug 1–22	Apr 11–30, Jun 24–Jul 31	—	Sow seeds
Beet	Feb 16–Mar 9, Aug 27–Sep 17	Mar 10–Apr 8, Aug 15–26	—	Sow seeds
Bitter melon	Mar 27–Apr 10, Jul 30–Aug 20	Apr 11–Jul 29	—	Sow seeds
Bok choy / pak choi	Mar 2–27	—	—	Sow seeds
Bottle gourd / cucuzza	Apr 29–May 13	May 14–Aug 10	—	Sow seeds
Broccoli	Feb 16–Mar 2, Aug 31–Sep 9	Mar 3–22	Jan 5–19, Jul 20–29	Set out plants
Broccoli raab (rapini)	Feb 16–Mar 16	Mar 17–Apr 5, Aug 31–Sep 27	—	Sow seeds
Brussels sprouts	Sep 29–Dec 23	Aug 31–Sep 28, Dec 24–Feb 22	Aug 18–Nov 11	Set out plants
Cabbage	Feb 9–23, Aug 21–28	Feb 24–Mar 23	Jul 10–17, Dec 29–Jan 12	Set out plants
Cardoon	May 29–Jun 12	—	Mar 27–Apr 10	Set out plants
Carrot	Feb 23–Mar 16, Aug 17–Sep 7	Mar 17–31, Aug 15–16	—	Sow seeds
Cauliflower	Feb 23–Mar 9	Mar 10–27	Jan 12–26	Set out plants
Celeriac (celery root)	May 28–Jun 11, Jul 3–24	Jun 12–Jul 2	Mar 12–26, Apr 17–May 8	Set out plants
Celery	Mar 9–17, Jun 29–Jul 20	Jun 10–28	Apr 13–May 4, Dec 22–30	Set out plants
Chickpea / garbanzo	Feb 23–Mar 9	—	—	Sow seeds
Chinese broccoli (gai lan)	Feb 23–Mar 16, Aug 25–Sep 14	Mar 17–Apr 8, Aug 7–24	—	Sow seeds
Collard greens	Jan 6–Feb 15, Sep 25–Jan 4	Jan 5, Feb 16–Apr 13, Jul 2–Sep 24	—	Sow seeds
Cucumber (pickling)	Mar 27–Apr 10, Aug 4–25	Apr 11–May 9, Jul 7–Aug 3	—	Sow seeds
Cucumber (slicing)	Mar 27–Apr 10, Aug 2–22	Apr 11–May 6, Jun 30–Aug 1	—	Sow seeds
Daikon radish	Feb 23–Mar 9, Sep 8–17	Mar 10–21	—	Sow seeds
Edamame	Apr 13–27, Jul 15–Aug 4	Apr 28–Jul 14	—	Sow seeds
Eggplant	Apr 13–27, Jul 18–Aug 7	Apr 28–Jul 17	Feb 9–23, May 16–Jun 5	Set out plants
Elephant garlic	Oct 26–Nov 30	—	—	Sow seeds
Fava bean	Feb 2–9	—	—	Sow seeds
Fennel (bulb)	Mar 2–12	—	—	Sow seeds
Garden cress	Mar 2–Apr 6, Sep 26–Oct 13	Apr 7–May 7, Sep 4–25	—	Sow seeds
Garlic	Oct 2–Dec 1	—	—	Sow seeds
Ginger	May 27–Jun 24	Apr 29–May 26	Apr 8–May 6	Set out plants
Green onion / scallion	Feb 16–Mar 2	Mar 3–Apr 13	—	Sow seeds
Kale	Jan 14–Feb 14, Oct 3–Dec 27	Feb 15–Apr 7, Aug 15–Oct 2, Dec 28–Jan 13	—	Sow seeds
Kohlrabi	Feb 16–Mar 2, Sep 4–24	Mar 3–Apr 13, Aug 21–Sep 3	—	Sow seeds
Komatsuna (mustard spinach)	Mar 16–Apr 1, Sep 3–Oct 2	Apr 2–20, Aug 7–Sep 2	—	Sow seeds
Leek	Sep 21–Dec 23	Aug 15–Sep 20, Dec 24–Feb 28	Jul 20–Oct 21	Set out plants
Lettuce (leaf & mesclun)	Feb 16–Mar 21, Sep 15–29	Mar 22–Apr 14, Aug 21–Sep 14	—	Sow seeds
Lettuce (romaine & head)	Feb 23–Mar 16	Mar 17–27, Aug 31–Sep 12	Jan 19–Feb 9	Set out plants
Luffa gourd	Apr 29–May 13	May 14–Jul 6	—	Sow seeds
Mache (corn salad)	Jan 19–Feb 6, Oct 15–Dec 21	Feb 7–Mar 12, Sep 20–Oct 14, Dec 22–Jan 18	—	Sow seeds
Malabar spinach	Apr 29–May 13	May 14–Jun 24	Mar 11–25	Set out plants
Moringa	Apr 29–May 13	May 14–Jun 24	—	Sow seeds
Mustard greens	Feb 2–Mar 13, Sep 24–Oct 7	Mar 14–Apr 11, Aug 31–Sep 23	—	Sow seeds
Napa / Chinese cabbage	Mar 2–20	Mar 21–30, Aug 21–Sep 7	—	Sow seeds
New Zealand spinach	Mar 27–Apr 10, Aug 4–24	Apr 11–Aug 3	—	Sow seeds
Okinawa spinach	Apr 29–May 13	May 14–Jun 24	—	Set out plants
Okra	Apr 29–May 13, Aug 2–22	May 14–Aug 1	—	Sow seeds
Onion (bulbing)	Feb 2–Mar 18, Jun 19–Jul 4	Mar 19–Apr 9, May 30–Jun 18, Jul 5–Aug 3	Apr 3–18, Nov 17–Dec 31	Set out plants
Parsnip	Sep 21–Dec 24	Aug 15–Sep 20, Dec 25–Feb 25	—	Sow seeds
Pea (shelling / English)	Feb 2–16, Aug 31–Sep 14	Feb 17–Mar 27	—	Sow seeds
Pea (snap & snow)	Feb 2–16, Aug 31–Sep 14	Feb 17–Mar 25	—	Sow seeds
Peanut	Apr 29–May 13	May 14–Jun 11	—	Sow seeds
Pepper (hot / chili)	Apr 3–17, Jul 10–31	Apr 18–Jul 9	Jan 30–Feb 13, May 8–29	Set out plants
Pepper (sweet / bell)	Mar 30–Apr 13, Jul 20–Aug 10	Apr 14–Jul 19	Jan 26–Feb 9, May 18–Jun 8	Set out plants
Pigeon pea	May 14–29	Apr 29–May 13	—	Sow seeds
Popcorn	Mar 27–Apr 3	Apr 4–Jul 15	—	Sow seeds
Potato	Feb 16–Mar 16	Mar 17–25, Jun 21–Jul 30	—	Sow seeds
Pumpkin	Mar 27–Apr 9, Jun 15–Jul 6	May 30–Jun 14	—	Sow seeds
Purslane	Apr 13–27, Aug 10–31	Apr 28–Aug 9	—	Sow seeds
Radicchio	Feb 16–23	Feb 24–Mar 5	—	Sow seeds
Radish	Feb 11–Mar 27, Sep 29–Oct 21	Feb 9–10, Mar 28–May 4, Sep 1–28	—	Sow seeds
Rhubarb	Feb 16–Mar 11	—	—	Set out plants
Roselle	Apr 29–May 7	—	Mar 25–Apr 2	Set out plants
Rutabaga	Oct 9–Dec 25	Sep 14–Oct 8, Dec 26–Feb 15	—	Sow seeds
Salsify	May 23–Jun 13	—	—	Sow seeds
Seminole pumpkin / calabaza	Apr 29–May 13, Jun 13–Jul 3	May 14–Jun 12	—	Sow seeds
Shallot	Jan 12–Feb 14, Sep 12–Dec 29	Feb 15–Mar 25, Jun 13–Sep 11, Dec 30–Jan 11	—	Sow seeds
Southern pea / cowpea	Apr 29–May 13, Jul 15–Aug 5	May 14–Jul 14	—	Sow seeds
Spinach	Jan 13–Feb 10, Oct 16–Dec 28	Feb 11–Mar 31, Sep 8–Oct 15, Dec 29–Jan 12	—	Sow seeds
Summer squash & zucchini	Mar 27–Apr 10, Aug 7–27	Apr 11–May 8, Jul 4–Aug 6	—	Sow seeds
Sunchoke (Jerusalem artichoke)	Mar 2–23	Feb 23–Mar 1, Mar 24–Apr 6	—	Sow seeds
Sweet corn	Mar 27–Apr 3, Jul 20–Aug 9	Apr 4–Jul 19	—	Sow seeds
Sweet potato	May 28–Jul 1	Apr 29–May 27, Jul 2–6	Apr 9–May 13	Set out plants
Swiss chard	Feb 23–Mar 16, Sep 1–22	Mar 17–May 7, Jul 2–Aug 31	—	Sow seeds
Tomatillo	Mar 27–Apr 10	Apr 11–Aug 7	Feb 13–27	Set out plants
Tomato (cherry & grape)	Mar 27–Apr 10, Aug 4–24	Apr 11–Aug 3	Feb 6–20, Jun 16–Jul 6	Set out plants
Tomato (early / short-season)	Mar 23–30, Aug 9–29	Mar 31–Aug 8	Feb 2–9, Jun 21–Jul 11	Set out plants
Tomato (heat-set varieties)	Apr 13–27, Jul 22–Aug 12	Apr 28–Jul 21	Feb 23–Mar 9, Jun 3–24	Set out plants
Tomato (paste / determinate)	Mar 27–Apr 10, Jul 22–Aug 12	Apr 11–26, Jun 20–Jul 21	Feb 6–20, Jun 3–24	Set out plants
Tomato (slicing)	Mar 27–Apr 10, Jul 20–Aug 9	Apr 11–23, Jun 13–Jul 19	Feb 6–20, Jun 1–21	Set out plants
Turnip	Feb 16–Mar 2, Sep 6–27	Mar 3–Apr 13, Aug 21–Sep 5	—	Sow seeds
Watercress	Feb 23–Mar 9	Mar 10–Apr 19	—	Sow seeds
Winged bean	Apr 29–May 13	May 14–Jul 6	—	Sow seeds
Winter melon / wax gourd	Apr 13–27, Jun 15–Jul 6	Apr 28–Jun 14	—	Sow seeds
Winter squash	Mar 27–Apr 10, Jun 25–Jul 16	Apr 11–15, Jun 8–24	—	Sow seeds
Yardlong bean	Apr 29–May 13, Jul 20–Aug 10	May 14–Jul 19	—	Sow seeds

Herbs

Crop	Best time to plant	Also possible	Start indoors	How
Anise hyssop	Mar 16–Apr 13	Apr 14–May 11	Jan 30–Feb 27	Set out plants
Basil	Apr 13–20, Aug 2–22	Apr 21–Aug 1	Mar 9–16, Jun 28–Jul 18	Set out plants
Bay laurel	Mar 23–Apr 16	Apr 17–May 11	—	Set out plants
Bee balm (bergamot)	Mar 16–Apr 2	Apr 3–20	Jan 26–Feb 12	Set out plants
Borage	Mar 9–Apr 7, Aug 18–Sep 8	Apr 8–24, Jul 15–Aug 17	—	Sow seeds
Caraway	Feb 23–Mar 9, Aug 15–28	Mar 10–21	—	Sow seeds
Catnip	Mar 2–23	Mar 24–Apr 13	Jan 12–Feb 2	Set out plants
Chamomile	Feb 16–Mar 2, Aug 22–Sep 12	Mar 3–Apr 2, Aug 15–21	—	Sow seeds
Chervil	Feb 23–Mar 12	Mar 13–27, Sep 8–27	—	Sow seeds
Chives	Mar 16–Apr 2	Apr 3–19	Jan 26–Feb 12	Set out plants
Cilantro	Mar 2–18	Mar 19–30, Aug 31–Sep 19	—	Sow seeds
Cuban oregano	May 11–Jun 8	Apr 13–May 10	—	Set out plants
Culantro	Apr 29–May 13	May 14–Jun 24	—	Sow seeds
Dill	Mar 2–9, Aug 23–Sep 13	Mar 10–Apr 15, Aug 15–22	—	Sow seeds
Epazote	Mar 27–Apr 10, Aug 16–Sep 6	Apr 11–Aug 15	—	Sow seeds
Fenugreek (methi)	Mar 16–Apr 7, Sep 7–25	Apr 8–25, Aug 15–Sep 6	—	Sow seeds
Feverfew	Mar 9–23	Mar 24–Apr 6	Jan 19–Feb 2	Set out plants
Garlic chives	Mar 16–Apr 13	Apr 14–May 11	Jan 26–Feb 23	Set out plants
Lavender	Mar 23–Apr 22	—	Jan 5–Feb 4	Set out plants
Lemon balm	Mar 2–23	Mar 24–Apr 13	Jan 26–Feb 16	Set out plants
Lemon verbena	Apr 5–29	Mar 23–Apr 4, Apr 30–May 11	—	Set out plants
Lemongrass	May 27–Jun 24	Apr 29–May 26	—	Set out plants
Lovage	Mar 2–19	—	Jan 12–29	Set out plants
Marjoram	Mar 23–Apr 16	Apr 17–May 11	Feb 2–26	Set out plants
Mint	Mar 2–23	Mar 24–Apr 13	—	Set out plants
Oregano	Mar 16–Apr 13	Apr 14–May 11	Jan 26–Feb 23	Set out plants
Papalo	Apr 13–27	Apr 28–Aug 12	—	Sow seeds
Parsley	Feb 23–Mar 9, Aug 7–28	Mar 10–Apr 6, Jun 23–Aug 6	Jun 5–26, Dec 22–Jan 5	Set out plants
Rosemary	Mar 23–Apr 16	Apr 17–May 11	Jan 5–29	Set out plants
Sage	Mar 9–29	Mar 30–Apr 19	Jan 19–Feb 8	Set out plants
Shiso (perilla)	Mar 27–Apr 3	Apr 4–Aug 19	Feb 20–27	Set out plants
Sorrel (French / garden)	Feb 23–Mar 21	Mar 22–Apr 17	—	Sow seeds
Stevia	May 14–Jun 1	Apr 13–May 13	—	Set out plants
Summer savory	Mar 16–30	Mar 31–Apr 30	—	Sow seeds
Tarragon (French)	Mar 16–Apr 10	—	—	Set out plants
Thyme	Mar 16–Apr 13	Apr 14–May 11	Jan 19–Feb 16	Set out plants
Vietnamese coriander (rau ram)	Apr 24–May 22	Mar 27–Apr 23	—	Set out plants
Winter savory	Mar 16–Apr 13	Apr 14–May 11	Jan 26–Feb 23	Set out plants

Fruit

Crop	Best time to plant	Also possible	Start indoors	How
Blackberry	Feb 9–Mar 2	Mar 3–Apr 13	—	Set out plants
Blueberry	Jan 19–Feb 23	Feb 24–Apr 6	—	Set out plants
Cantaloupe & melons	Apr 13–27, Jul 8–28	Apr 28–Jul 7	—	Sow seeds
Cucamelon / mouse melon	Mar 27–Apr 10	Apr 11–Aug 12	Feb 20–Mar 6	Set out plants
Fig	Feb 23–Mar 23	Mar 24–May 4	—	Set out plants
Grape (bunch)	Feb 16–Mar 16	Mar 17–30	—	Set out plants
Ground cherry	Mar 27–Apr 10	Apr 11–Aug 17	Feb 6–20	Set out plants
Muscadine grape	Feb 23–Mar 16	Mar 17–Apr 6	—	Set out plants
Raspberry	Feb 16–Mar 2	Mar 3–17	—	Set out plants
Strawberry	Feb 16–Mar 14	Mar 15–Apr 10	—	Set out plants
Watermelon	Apr 13–27, Jul 5–26	Apr 28–Jul 4	—	Sow seeds

Flowers

Crop	Best time to plant	Also possible	Start indoors	How
Annual salvia	Apr 24–May 12, Jun 30–Aug 31	Mar 27–Apr 23, May 13–Jun 29, Sep 1–6	Feb 13–Mar 3, Apr 21–Jun 22	Set out plants
Bachelor's button (cornflower)	Feb 16–Mar 8	Mar 9–19, Aug 31–Sep 9	—	Sow seeds
Black-eyed Susan	Mar 23–Apr 9, Jun 15–Aug 9	Mar 16–22, Apr 10–Jun 14	—	Sow seeds
Calendula	Mar 2–23, Sep 6–24	Mar 24–Apr 10, Aug 15–Sep 5	—	Sow seeds
California poppy	Feb 16–Mar 8	Mar 9–19, Aug 31–Sep 9	—	Sow seeds
Celosia	Apr 29–May 6, Jul 10–31	May 7–Jul 9	Mar 11–18, May 22–Jun 12	Set out plants
Cleome (spider flower)	May 31–Aug 5	Mar 27–May 30, Aug 6–7	—	Sow seeds
Coreopsis (tickseed)	Feb 16–Mar 3	Mar 4–19	—	Sow seeds
Cosmos	Jun 8–Aug 7	Apr 13–Jun 7, Aug 8–17	—	Sow seeds
Globe amaranth (gomphrena)	May 31–Jul 31	Apr 13–May 30, Aug 1–17	Apr 12–Jun 12	Set out plants
Larkspur	Oct 4–Dec 23	Sep 8–Oct 3, Dec 24–Feb 22	—	Sow seeds
Marigold	Apr 22–May 9, Jun 30–Aug 30	Mar 27–Apr 21, May 10–Jun 29, Aug 31–Sep 1	Mar 4–21, May 12–Jul 12	Set out plants
Milkweed (native)	Mar 16–Apr 13	Apr 14–May 11	Feb 9–Mar 9	Set out plants
Nasturtium	Mar 18–Apr 2	Mar 16–17, Apr 3–12, Aug 15–Sep 6	—	Sow seeds
Pansy / viola	Feb 2–23, Sep 19–Oct 9	Feb 24–Mar 26, Sep 14–18	Jul 4–24, Nov 17–Dec 8	Set out plants
Pentas (Egyptian star cluster)	Jun 1–14, Jun 23–Aug 13	Apr 29–May 31, Jun 15–22, Aug 14–Sep 6	Mar 30–Apr 12, Apr 21–Jun 11	Set out plants
Purple coneflower (echinacea)	Mar 16–Apr 13	Apr 14–May 11	Dec 29–Jan 26	Set out plants
Snapdragon	Feb 16–22	—	Dec 15–21	Set out plants
Statice	Mar 16–30, Aug 8–29	Mar 31–Apr 17, Jul 7–Aug 7	Jan 12–26, Jun 6–27	Set out plants
Stock	Mar 2–16, Sep 8–27	Mar 17–27	Jul 7–26, Dec 29–Jan 12	Set out plants
Strawflower	Mar 16–30, Aug 16–Sep 5	Mar 31–Apr 22, Jul 13–Aug 15	Jan 26–Feb 9, Jun 28–Jul 18	Set out plants
Sunflower	Jun 3–Aug 2	Mar 27–Jun 2	—	Sow seeds
Sweet alyssum	Feb 23–Mar 22, Sep 9–26	Mar 23–Apr 12, Aug 15–Sep 8	—	Sow seeds
Sweet pea (flower)	Feb 2–Mar 1	—	—	Sow seeds
Zinnia	Jun 8–Aug 8	Apr 13–Jun 7, Aug 9–19	—	Sow seeds

Crops that struggle in Memphis

These need a climate Memphis doesn't have. Pots, shade cloth or a greenhouse can stretch the rules.

Banana: Has to live outdoors through winter and needs nights no colder than about 45°F; the coldest month here averages 33°F.
Cassava (yuca): Has to live outdoors through winter and needs nights no colder than about 40°F; the coldest month here averages 33°F.
Chaya (tree spinach): Has to live outdoors through winter and needs nights no colder than about 40°F; the coldest month here averages 33°F.
Endive & escarole: The frost-free season (about 245 days) is shorter than the 85 days it needs.
Jicama: The frost-free season (about 245 days) is shorter than the 180 days it needs.
Papaya: Has to live outdoors through winter and needs nights no colder than about 48°F; the coldest month here averages 33°F.
Passion fruit: Has to live outdoors through winter and needs nights no colder than about 44°F; the coldest month here averages 33°F.
Pineapple: Has to live outdoors through winter and needs nights no colder than about 45°F; the coldest month here averages 33°F.
Taro (dasheen): The frost-free season (about 245 days) is shorter than the 225 days it needs.

Nearby planting calendars

Little Rock, AR 130 mi · last frost around Mar 21
Nashville, TN 196 mi · last frost around Apr 1
Jackson, MS 197 mi · last frost around Mar 6
Huntsville, AL 198 mi · last frost around Mar 24
Hattiesburg, MS 268 mi · last frost around Mar 8
All Tennessee cities

How these dates are worked out

Each crop has temperature limits and timing from university extension guides: how cold a night it can take, how much heat it can stand, how long it takes to mature, and how far before or after the last frost it goes in. Those are checked day by day against the Memphis Intl Airport station's NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals (average highs, lows, rain and frost dates). Dates are estimates for a typical year; a sheltered yard, a slope or a cold pocket can shift them by a week or two.

Weather: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, 1991–2020 U.S. Climate Normals. Crop timing: university extension guides (sources listed for each crop in the app). City locations: GeoNames (CC BY 4.0).