Planting calendar for Nashville, Tennessee

Dates from 30 years of records at the Shelby Bottoms Nature weather station, 3.3 miles from Nashville, worked out crop by crop with the same method as the Year Round Garden app.

Nashville at a glance

Weather station: Shelby Bottoms Nature · 3.3 mi
USDA zone: 7b
Last spring frost: typically Apr 1; 1 year in 10 after Apr 16
First fall frost: typically Oct 31; 1 year in 10 before Oct 18
Frost-free season: about 213 days
Hottest month: July: highs 89°F, nights 68°F
Coldest month: January: highs 48°F, nights 28°F
Rain: 53 in. a year, most in March, April and May

What shapes the seasons here

The last spring frost in Nashville typically comes around Apr 1, but 1 year in 10 it comes after Apr 16. The first fall frost typically arrives around Oct 31. That leaves about 213 frost-free days for tender crops like tomatoes, peppers and squash.

Nashville gets about 53 inches of rain a year, most of it in March, April and May.

158 of the 174 crops in the app grow here; 16 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 Nashville, month by month

January0

Too cold to plant outdoors. Plan beds, order seeds and start the ones listed indoors.

Start seeds indoors

Artichoke, Broccoli, Brussels sprouts, Cabbage, Celeriac (celery root), Celery, Leek, Onion (bulbing), Lavender, Parsley, Rosemary, Purple coneflower (echinacea), Stock

February12

Best time to plant

Vegetables: Arugula, Kale, Mustard greens, Onion (bulbing), Pea (shelling / English), Pea (snap & snow), Shallot, Spinach

Fruit: Blueberry

Flowers: Larkspur, Pansy / viola, Sweet pea (flower)

Start seeds indoors

Cauliflower, Lettuce (romaine & head), Pepper (hot / chili), Pepper (sweet / bell), Tomato (early / short-season), Anise hyssop, Bee balm (bergamot), Catnip, Chives, Feverfew, Garlic chives, Lavender, Lemon balm, Lovage, Oregano, Rosemary, Sage, Thyme, Winter savory, Purple coneflower (echinacea), Statice, Strawflower

March68

Best time to plant

Vegetables: Artichoke, Arugula, Asparagus, Beet, Bok choy / pak choi, Broccoli, Broccoli raab (rapini), Brussels sprouts, Cabbage, Carrot, Cauliflower, Celeriac (celery root), Chickpea / garbanzo, Chinese broccoli (gai lan), Collard greens, Daikon radish, Fennel (bulb), Garden cress, Green onion / scallion, Kale, Kohlrabi, Leek, Lettuce (leaf & mesclun), Lettuce (romaine & head), Mache (corn salad), Mustard greens, Napa / Chinese cabbage, Onion (bulbing), Parsnip, Potato, Radicchio, Radish, Rhubarb, Spinach, Sunchoke (Jerusalem artichoke), Swiss chard, Turnip, Watercress

Herbs: Borage, Caraway, Catnip, Chamomile, Chervil, Cilantro, Dill, Feverfew, Lemon balm, Lovage, Mint, Parsley, Sage, Sorrel (French / garden)

Fruit: Blackberry, Blueberry, Fig, Grape (bunch), Muscadine grape, Raspberry, Strawberry

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

Can also plant

Pea (shelling / English), Pea (snap & snow), Shallot

Start seeds indoors

Cardoon, Eggplant, Tomatillo, Tomato (cherry & grape), Tomato (heat-set varieties), Tomato (paste / determinate), Tomato (slicing), Anise hyssop, Bee balm (bergamot), Chives, Garlic chives, Marjoram, Oregano, Shiso (perilla), Winter savory, Cucamelon / mouse melon, Ground cherry, Milkweed (native)

April61

Best time to plant

Vegetables: Armenian cucumber, Arugula, Bean (bush snap), Bean (dry / shelling), Bean (pole), Bitter melon, Bok choy / pak choi, Celery, Cucumber (pickling), Cucumber (slicing), Garden cress, Komatsuna (mustard spinach), Lettuce (leaf & mesclun), New Zealand spinach, Pepper (hot / chili), Pepper (sweet / bell), Popcorn, Pumpkin, Radish, Summer squash & zucchini, Sunchoke (Jerusalem artichoke), Sweet corn, Tomatillo, Tomato (cherry & grape), Tomato (early / short-season), Tomato (paste / determinate), Tomato (slicing), Winter squash

Herbs: Anise hyssop, Bee balm (bergamot), Borage, Catnip, Chives, Epazote, Fenugreek (methi), Feverfew, Garlic chives, Lavender, Lemon balm, Lovage, Marjoram, Mint, Oregano, Rosemary, Sage, Shiso (perilla), Sorrel (French / garden), Summer savory, Tarragon (French), Thyme, Winter savory

Fruit: Cucamelon / mouse melon, Fig, Ground cherry

Flowers: Calendula, Milkweed (native), Nasturtium, Purple coneflower (echinacea), Statice, Strawflower, Sweet alyssum

Can also plant

Asparagus, Beet, Broccoli raab (rapini), Carrot, Cauliflower, Celeriac (celery root), Chinese broccoli (gai lan), Collard greens, Green onion / scallion, Kale, Kohlrabi, Lettuce (romaine & head), Mustard greens, Napa / Chinese cabbage, Onion (bulbing), Pea (shelling / English), Potato, Shallot, Spinach, Swiss chard, Turnip, Watercress, Chamomile, Cilantro, Dill, Lemon verbena, Parsley, Vietnamese coriander (rau ram), Blackberry, Blueberry, Grape (bunch), Muscadine grape, Strawberry, Annual salvia, Black-eyed Susan, Cleome (spider flower), Coreopsis (tickseed), Marigold, Sunflower

Start seeds indoors

Celeriac (celery root), Celery, Ginger, Malabar spinach, Onion (bulbing), Pepper (hot / chili), Sweet potato, Annual salvia, Celosia, Globe amaranth (gomphrena), Pentas (Egyptian star cluster)

May28

Best time to plant

Vegetables: Amaranth greens / callaloo, Bean (lima), Bottle gourd / cucuzza, Cardoon, Edamame, Eggplant, Luffa gourd, Malabar spinach, Moringa, Okinawa spinach, Okra, Pepper (hot / chili), Purslane, Salsify, Seminole pumpkin / calabaza, Southern pea / cowpea, Tomato (heat-set varieties), Winged bean, Winter melon / wax gourd, Yardlong bean

Herbs: Basil, Culantro, Lemon verbena, Papalo, Vietnamese coriander (rau ram)

Fruit: Cantaloupe & melons, Watermelon

Flowers: Celosia

Can also plant

Armenian cucumber, Bean (bush snap), Bean (dry / shelling), Bean (pole), Bitter melon, Celeriac (celery root), Celery, Collard greens, Cucumber (pickling), Cucumber (slicing), Garden cress, New Zealand spinach, Onion (bulbing), Pepper (sweet / bell), Popcorn, Potato, Pumpkin, Radish, Shallot, Summer squash & zucchini, Sweet corn, Swiss chard, Tomatillo, Tomato (cherry & grape), Tomato (early / short-season), Tomato (paste / determinate), Tomato (slicing), Winter squash, Anise hyssop, Bee balm (bergamot), Borage, Chives, Cuban oregano, Epazote, Feverfew, Garlic chives, Lavender, Marjoram, Oregano, Parsley, Rosemary, Sage, Shiso (perilla), Stevia, Summer savory, Tarragon (French), Thyme, Winter savory, Cucamelon / mouse melon, Fig, Ground cherry, Annual salvia, Black-eyed Susan, Cleome (spider flower), Cosmos, Globe amaranth (gomphrena), Marigold, Milkweed (native), Purple coneflower (echinacea), Statice, Strawflower, Sunflower, Zinnia

Start seeds indoors

Eggplant, Ginger, Leek, Malabar spinach, Pepper (hot / chili), Pepper (sweet / bell), Tomato (heat-set varieties), Tomato (paste / determinate), Tomato (slicing), Parsley, Annual salvia, Celosia, Globe amaranth (gomphrena), Marigold, Pentas (Egyptian star cluster), Statice

June30

Best time to plant

Vegetables: Bean (dry / shelling), Celeriac (celery root), Celery, Ginger, Onion (bulbing), Pepper (hot / chili), Potato, Pumpkin, Salsify, Seminole pumpkin / calabaza, Southern pea / cowpea, Sweet potato, Winter melon / wax gourd, Winter squash

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

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 (lima), Bean (pole), Bitter melon, Bottle gourd / cucuzza, Cardoon, Collard greens, Cucumber (pickling), Cucumber (slicing), Edamame, Eggplant, Leek, Luffa gourd, Malabar spinach, Moringa, New Zealand spinach, Okinawa spinach, Okra, Pepper (sweet / bell), Popcorn, Purslane, Shallot, Summer squash & zucchini, Sweet corn, Swiss chard, Tomatillo, Tomato (cherry & grape), Tomato (early / short-season), Tomato (heat-set varieties), Tomato (paste / determinate), Tomato (slicing), Winged bean, Yardlong bean, Basil, Borage, Caraway, Culantro, Epazote, Papalo, Parsley, Shiso (perilla), Summer savory, Cucamelon / mouse melon, Ground cherry, Statice, Strawflower

Start seeds indoors

Cabbage, Tomato (cherry & grape), Tomato (early / short-season), Tomato (heat-set varieties), Tomato (paste / determinate), Basil, Parsley, Marigold, Pansy / viola, Statice, Stock, Strawflower

July48

Best time to plant

Vegetables: Armenian cucumber, Bean (dry / shelling), Bean (lima), Bean (pole), Bitter melon, Cabbage, Celeriac (celery root), Cucumber (pickling), Cucumber (slicing), Edamame, Eggplant, Leek, Malabar spinach, New Zealand spinach, Okra, Onion (bulbing), Pepper (hot / chili), Pepper (sweet / bell), Potato, Purslane, Shallot, Southern pea / cowpea, 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, Culantro, Parsley

Fruit: Cantaloupe & melons, Watermelon

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

Can also plant

Amaranth greens / callaloo, Bean (bush snap), Beet, Bottle gourd / cucuzza, Carrot, Chinese broccoli (gai lan), Collard greens, Kale, Komatsuna (mustard spinach), Moringa, Napa / Chinese cabbage, Okinawa spinach, Swiss chard, Tomatillo, Chamomile, Dill, Epazote, Papalo, Shiso (perilla), Summer savory, Cucamelon / mouse melon, Ground cherry, Calendula, Nasturtium, Strawflower, Sweet alyssum

Start seeds indoors

Broccoli, Pansy / viola, Stock

August34

Best time to plant

Vegetables: Amaranth greens / callaloo, Bean (bush snap), Beet, Broccoli, Cabbage, Carrot, Chinese broccoli (gai lan), Collard greens, Cucumber (pickling), Daikon radish, Kohlrabi, Komatsuna (mustard spinach), New Zealand spinach, Pea (shelling / English), Pea (snap & snow), Purslane, Summer squash & zucchini, Swiss chard, Tomato (cherry & grape), Tomato (early / short-season), Turnip

Herbs: Borage, Caraway, Chamomile, Dill, Epazote, Fenugreek (methi), Parsley

Flowers: Calendula, Nasturtium, Statice, Stock, Strawflower, Sweet alyssum

Can also plant

Arugula, Broccoli raab (rapini), Garden cress, Kale, Lettuce (leaf & mesclun), Lettuce (romaine & head), Mustard greens, Napa / Chinese cabbage, Radish, Spinach, Chervil, Cilantro, Annual salvia, Bachelor's button (cornflower), California poppy, Marigold, Pentas (Egyptian star cluster)

September15

Best time to plant

Vegetables: Arugula, Garden cress, Kale, Kohlrabi, Komatsuna (mustard spinach), Lettuce (leaf & mesclun), Mache (corn salad), Radish, Spinach, Turnip

Herbs: Fenugreek (methi)

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

Can also plant

Broccoli raab (rapini), Mustard greens, Chervil

October2

Best time to plant

Vegetables: Elephant garlic, Garlic

November2

Best time to plant

Vegetables: Elephant garlic, Garlic

December0

Too cold to plant outdoors. Plan beds, order seeds and start the ones listed indoors.

Start seeds indoors

Onion (bulbing), Pansy / viola

Every crop that grows in Nashville

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

Herbs

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

Fruit

Crop	Best time to plant	Also possible	Start indoors	How
Blackberry	Feb 25–Mar 18	Mar 19–Apr 29	—	Set out plants
Blueberry	Feb 8–Mar 11	Mar 12–Apr 26	—	Set out plants
Cantaloupe & melons	May 4–18, Jun 22–Jul 12	May 19–Jun 21	—	Sow seeds
Cucamelon / mouse melon	Apr 16–30	May 1–Jul 27	Mar 12–26	Set out plants
Fig	Mar 11–Apr 8	Apr 9–May 20	—	Set out plants
Grape (bunch)	Mar 4–Apr 1	Apr 2–15	—	Set out plants
Ground cherry	Apr 16–30	May 1–Aug 1	Feb 26–Mar 12	Set out plants
Muscadine grape	Mar 11–Apr 1	Apr 2–22	—	Set out plants
Raspberry	Mar 4–18	Mar 19–Apr 5	—	Set out plants
Strawberry	Mar 4–Apr 1	Apr 2–29	—	Set out plants
Watermelon	May 4–18, Jun 19–Jul 10	May 19–Jun 18	—	Sow seeds

Flowers

Crop	Best time to plant	Also possible	Start indoors	How
Annual salvia	Jun 11–Aug 4	Apr 16–Jun 10, Aug 5–21	Apr 2–May 26	Set out plants
Bachelor's button (cornflower)	Mar 4–24	Mar 25–Apr 3, Aug 11–24	—	Sow seeds
Black-eyed Susan	Jun 1–Jul 24	Apr 1–May 31	—	Sow seeds
Calendula	Mar 18–Apr 11, Aug 14–Sep 8	Apr 12–29, Jul 12–Aug 13	—	Sow seeds
California poppy	Mar 4–24	Mar 25–Apr 3, Aug 11–24	—	Sow seeds
Celosia	May 23–30, Jun 24–Jul 15	May 31–Jun 23	Apr 4–11, May 6–27	Set out plants
Cleome (spider flower)	May 27–Jul 14	Apr 16–May 26, Jul 15–22	—	Sow seeds
Coreopsis (tickseed)	Mar 4–22	Mar 23–Apr 10	—	Sow seeds
Cosmos	Jun 3–Jul 17	May 4–Jun 2, Jul 18–Aug 1	—	Sow seeds
Globe amaranth (gomphrena)	Jun 3–Jul 17	May 4–Jun 2, Jul 18–Aug 1	Apr 15–May 29	Set out plants
Larkspur	Feb 18–Mar 8	—	—	Sow seeds
Marigold	Jun 13–Aug 6	Apr 16–Jun 12, Aug 7–16	Apr 25–Jun 18	Set out plants
Milkweed (native)	Apr 7–May 5	Apr 1–6, May 6–27	Mar 3–31	Set out plants
Nasturtium	Apr 5–19, Aug 2–21	Apr 1–4, Apr 20–30, Jul 14–Aug 1	—	Sow seeds
Pansy / viola	Feb 18–Mar 11, Sep 3–23	Mar 12–Apr 8, Aug 31–Sep 2	Jun 18–Jul 8, Dec 3–24	Set out plants
Pentas (Egyptian star cluster)	Jun 20–Aug 3	May 23–Jun 19, Aug 4–20	Apr 18–Jun 1	Set out plants
Purple coneflower (echinacea)	Apr 1–29	Apr 30–May 27	Jan 14–Feb 11	Set out plants
Statice	Apr 1–15, Jul 23–Aug 13	Apr 16–May 22, Jun 4–Jul 22	Jan 28–Feb 11, May 21–Jun 11	Set out plants
Stock	Mar 18–Apr 1, Aug 22–Sep 11	Apr 2–9	Jan 14–28, Jun 20–Jul 10	Set out plants
Strawflower	Apr 1–15, Jul 31–Aug 20	Apr 16–May 26, Jun 13–Jul 30	Feb 11–25, Jun 12–Jul 2	Set out plants
Sunflower	May 28–Jul 13	Apr 16–May 27, Jul 14–17	—	Sow seeds
Sweet alyssum	Mar 11–Apr 9, Aug 17–Sep 10	Apr 10–30, Jul 14–Aug 16	—	Sow seeds
Sweet pea (flower)	Feb 18–Mar 15	—	—	Sow seeds
Zinnia	Jun 4–Jul 19	May 4–Jun 3, Jul 20–Aug 3	—	Sow seeds

Crops that struggle in Nashville

These need a climate Nashville 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 28°F.
Bay laurel: Has to live outdoors through winter and needs nights no colder than about 32°F; the coldest month here averages 28°F.
Cassava (yuca): Has to live outdoors through winter and needs nights no colder than about 40°F; the coldest month here averages 28°F.
Chaya (tree spinach): Has to live outdoors through winter and needs nights no colder than about 40°F; the coldest month here averages 28°F.
Endive & escarole: The frost-free season (about 213 days) is shorter than the 85 days it needs.
Fava bean: The frost-free season (about 213 days) is shorter than the 90 days it needs.
Jicama: The frost-free season (about 213 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 28°F.
Passion fruit: Has to live outdoors through winter and needs nights no colder than about 44°F; the coldest month here averages 28°F.
Peanut: The frost-free season (about 213 days) is shorter than the 130 days it needs.
Pigeon pea: The frost-free season (about 213 days) is shorter than the 150 days it needs.
Pineapple: Has to live outdoors through winter and needs nights no colder than about 45°F; the coldest month here averages 28°F.
Roselle: The frost-free season (about 213 days) is shorter than the 165 days it needs.
Rutabaga: The frost-free season (about 213 days) is shorter than the 95 days it needs.
Snapdragon: The frost-free season (about 213 days) is shorter than the 90 days it needs.
Taro (dasheen): The frost-free season (about 213 days) is shorter than the 225 days it needs.

Nearby planting calendars

Huntsville, AL 100 mi · last frost around Mar 24
Lexington, KY 183 mi · last frost around Apr 13
Memphis, TN 196 mi · last frost around Mar 16
Atlanta, GA 215 mi · last frost around Mar 24
Indianapolis, IN 251 mi · last frost around Apr 20
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 Shelby Bottoms Nature 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).