Memphis, TN Vegetable Planting Calendar

What to plant now in Memphis

In October:

• Last day to sow radishes for a fall harvest (by Oct 3)

The list above is for the month this page was built; the box is refreshed in your browser for today's date.

Spring planting dates

“Plant out” means transplanting for crops started indoors and sowing or planting directly in the garden for the others. Each column applies CSU Extension's timing rule to a different last-frost anchor: aggressive = typical date (Mar 16, 50% risk), balanced = Mar 24 (30%), safe = Apr 4 (10%). For hardy crops the cell shows the CSU “as early as” window.

A soil thermometer helps here. CSU recommends checking soil temperature at 4 inches (6 inches for beans) before sowing. NOAA doesn't publish soil-temperature normals, so instead of a date, each crop shows CSU's minimum soil temperature.

Fall planting dates

Latest dates for a fall harvest, using the University of Nebraska–Lincoln Extension count-back formula: days to harvest (CSU) + 14-day fall factor + 14-day frost-tender factor for frost-sensitive crops, counted back from the first-frost date. For transplanted crops (CSU days are from transplant) the result is the latest transplant date; seeds go in CSU's transplant-age weeks earlier. We add no harvest period, so these dates give you a first harvest by the first frost, not a long harvest.

Month-by-month: what to plant in Memphis

What to plant in Memphis in January

• Start broccoli seeds indoors (Jan 6–20)
• Start cabbage seeds indoors (Jan 6–20)
• Start cauliflower seeds indoors (Jan 20 – Feb 3)

What to plant in Memphis in February

• Start eggplant seeds indoors (Feb 3–24)
• Start pepper seeds indoors (Feb 10–24)
• Onions (dry, from sets): plant sets outdoors (Feb 16 – Mar 21)
• Peas: direct sow outdoors (Feb 16 – Mar 21)
• Lettuce (leaf): direct sow outdoors (Feb 16 – Mar 21)
• Broccoli: transplant outdoors (Feb 16 – Mar 21)
• Cabbage: transplant outdoors (Feb 16 – Mar 21)
• Kohlrabi: direct sow outdoors (Feb 16 – Mar 21)
• Green onions: direct sow outdoors (Feb 16 – Mar 21)
• Radishes: direct sow outdoors (Feb 16 – Mar 21)
• Spinach: direct sow outdoors (Feb 16 – Mar 21)
• Turnips: direct sow outdoors (Feb 16 – Mar 21)
• Start tomato seeds indoors (Feb 23 – Mar 9)
• Start cauliflower seeds indoors (Jan 20 – Feb 3)

What to plant in Memphis in March

• Potatoes: plant (seed pieces) outdoors (Mar 2 – Apr 4)
• Carrots: direct sow outdoors (Mar 2 – Apr 4)
• Cauliflower: transplant outdoors (Mar 2 – Apr 4)
• Beets: direct sow outdoors (Mar 2 – Apr 4)
• Swiss chard: direct sow outdoors (Mar 2 – Apr 4)
• Parsnips: direct sow outdoors (Mar 2 – Apr 4)
• Beans (snap): direct sow outdoors (Mar 16 – Apr 4)
• Summer squash: direct sow outdoors (Mar 16 – Apr 4)
• Sweet corn: direct sow outdoors (Mar 16 – Apr 4)
• Cucumbers: direct sow outdoors (Mar 16 – Apr 4)
• Peppers: transplant outdoors (Mar 30 – Apr 18)
• Eggplant: transplant outdoors (Mar 30 – Apr 18)
• Cantaloupe: direct sow outdoors (Mar 30 – Apr 18)
• Watermelon: direct sow outdoors (Mar 30 – Apr 18)
• Winter squash: direct sow outdoors (Mar 30 – Apr 18)
• Onions (dry, from sets): plant sets outdoors (Feb 16 – Mar 21)
• Peas: direct sow outdoors (Feb 16 – Mar 21)
• Lettuce (leaf): direct sow outdoors (Feb 16 – Mar 21)
• Broccoli: transplant outdoors (Feb 16 – Mar 21)
• Cabbage: transplant outdoors (Feb 16 – Mar 21)
• Kohlrabi: direct sow outdoors (Feb 16 – Mar 21)
• Green onions: direct sow outdoors (Feb 16 – Mar 21)
• Radishes: direct sow outdoors (Feb 16 – Mar 21)
• Spinach: direct sow outdoors (Feb 16 – Mar 21)
• Turnips: direct sow outdoors (Feb 16 – Mar 21)
• Start tomato seeds indoors (Feb 23 – Mar 9)

What to plant in Memphis in April

• Tomatoes: transplant outdoors (Apr 13–18)
• Potatoes: plant (seed pieces) outdoors (Mar 2 – Apr 4)
• Carrots: direct sow outdoors (Mar 2 – Apr 4)
• Cauliflower: transplant outdoors (Mar 2 – Apr 4)
• Beets: direct sow outdoors (Mar 2 – Apr 4)
• Swiss chard: direct sow outdoors (Mar 2 – Apr 4)
• Parsnips: direct sow outdoors (Mar 2 – Apr 4)
• Beans (snap): direct sow outdoors (Mar 16 – Apr 4)
• Summer squash: direct sow outdoors (Mar 16 – Apr 4)
• Sweet corn: direct sow outdoors (Mar 16 – Apr 4)
• Cucumbers: direct sow outdoors (Mar 16 – Apr 4)
• Peppers: transplant outdoors (Mar 30 – Apr 18)
• Eggplant: transplant outdoors (Mar 30 – Apr 18)
• Cantaloupe: direct sow outdoors (Mar 30 – Apr 18)
• Watermelon: direct sow outdoors (Mar 30 – Apr 18)
• Winter squash: direct sow outdoors (Mar 30 – Apr 18)

What to plant in Memphis in June

• Start cabbage seeds indoors for a fall crop (Jun 21 – Jul 5)

What to plant in Memphis in July

• Start broccoli seeds indoors for a fall crop (Jul 11–25)
• Start cabbage seeds indoors for a fall crop (Jun 21 – Jul 5)

What to plant in Memphis in August

• Last day to set out cabbage transplants for a fall harvest (by Aug 9)
• Last day to sow beans (snap) for a fall harvest (by Aug 20)
• Last day to sow carrots for a fall harvest (by Aug 24)
• Last day to sow cucumbers for a fall harvest (by Aug 25)
• Last day to sow peas for a fall harvest (by Aug 29)
• Last day to set out broccoli transplants for a fall harvest (by Aug 29)
• Last day to sow summer squash for a fall harvest (by Aug 30)

What to plant in Memphis in September

• Last day to sow lettuce (leaf) for a fall harvest (by Sep 3)
• Last day to sow green onions for a fall harvest (by Sep 3)
• Last day to sow beets for a fall harvest (by Sep 3)
• Last day to sow swiss chard for a fall harvest (by Sep 3)
• Last day to sow kohlrabi for a fall harvest (by Sep 13)
• Last day to sow turnips for a fall harvest (by Sep 13)
• Last day to sow spinach for a fall harvest (by Sep 23)

What to plant in Memphis in October

• Last day to sow radishes for a fall harvest (by Oct 3)

Crop-by-crop notes

When to plant tomatoes in Memphis

Very tender crop. CSU Extension says to transplant tomatoes at least 2 weeks after the average last frost, with nights above 52°F. The frost rule alone would put Memphis at about Mar 30, but the average nightly low at Memphis International Airport isn't above 52°F until Apr 13, so our dates start there: about Apr 13 (typical), Apr 13 (balanced) or Apr 18 (safer 10% date). Start seeds indoors Feb 23 – Mar 9, 5–7 weeks before transplanting on Apr 13. Below 55°F at night, fruit set suffers (CSU). At Memphis International Airport, the normal low reaches 55°F on Apr 22. Using CSU's typical 65 days from transplant to harvest, tomato plants set out on Apr 13 would start producing around Jun 17. That's 152 days before the typical first frost (Nov 16).

When to plant peppers in Memphis

Very tender crop. CSU Extension's rule is 2+ weeks after the average last frost, which puts peppers outside around Mar 30 (typical date), Apr 7 (balanced) or Apr 18 (safer 10% date). Start seeds indoors Feb 10–24, 6–8 weeks ahead of transplanting on Apr 7. Fruit set suffers when nights drop below 55°F (CSU). The normal low at Memphis International Airport reaches 55°F on Apr 22. Using CSU's typical 70 days from transplant to harvest, pepper plants set out on Apr 7 would start producing around Jun 16. That's 153 days before the typical first frost (Nov 16).

When to plant potatoes in Memphis

Semi-hardy crop. CSU says potatoes can be planted as early as 0–2 weeks before the average last frost, in soil of at least 45°F. In Memphis, that's roughly Mar 2–16 going by the typical date, or Mar 21 – Apr 4 going by the safer date.

When to plant onions (dry, from sets) in Memphis

Hardy crop. CSU says onions (dry, from sets) can go in as early as 2–4 weeks before the average last frost: roughly Feb 16 – Mar 2 in Memphis using the typical date, or Mar 7–21 using the safer one. Wait until the soil can be worked and is at least 35°F.

When to plant peas in Memphis

Hardy crop. Per CSU, peas can be planted as early as 2–4 weeks before the average last frost, as long as the soil is workable and at least 40°F. For Memphis, that works out to roughly Feb 16 – Mar 2 (typical date) or Mar 7–21 (safer date). For fall, count back 79 days from the first-frost date. That means sowing by Aug 29, or by Aug 15 to be safe.

When to plant lettuce (leaf) in Memphis

Hardy crop. CSU says lettuce (leaf) can go in as early as 2–4 weeks before the average last frost, once the soil can be worked and is at least 35°F. In Memphis, that's roughly Feb 16 – Mar 2 going by the typical date, or Mar 7–21 going by the safer date. For a fall crop, sow by Sep 3, or by Aug 20 to be safe. That's 74 days back from the first-frost date.

When to plant carrots in Memphis

Semi-hardy crop. CSU says carrots can be planted as early as 0–2 weeks before the average last frost, in soil of at least 40°F. In Memphis, that's roughly Mar 2–16 going by the typical date, or Mar 21 – Apr 4 going by the safer date. For fall, count back 84 days from the first-frost date. That means sowing by Aug 24, or by Aug 10 to be safe.

When to plant beans (snap) in Memphis

Tender crop. Sow beans (snap) around the average last frost, per CSU: about Mar 16 in Memphis. Waiting until Apr 4 cuts the chance of a later 32°F night to 1 in 10. Seeds need soil of at least 55°F. For fall, count back 88 days from the first-frost date. That means sowing by Aug 20, or by Aug 6 to be safe.

When to plant summer squash in Memphis

Tender crop. Sow summer squash around the average last frost, per CSU: about Mar 16 in Memphis. Waiting until Apr 4 cuts the chance of a later 32°F night to 1 in 10. Seeds need soil of at least 60°F. For a fall crop, sow by Aug 30, or by Aug 16 to be safe. That's 78 days back from the first-frost date.

When to plant broccoli in Memphis

Hardy crop. CSU says broccoli can go in as early as 2–4 weeks before the average last frost: roughly Feb 16 – Mar 2 in Memphis using the typical date, or Mar 7–21 using the safer one. Wait until the soil can be worked and is at least 40°F. Set out on Feb 24, broccoli plants would start producing around Apr 30, based on CSU's typical 65 days from transplant to harvest. That leaves 200 days before the typical first frost (Nov 16). Fall broccoli: set transplants out by Aug 29. The date counts back from the typical first frost (Nov 16) by UNL Extension's method, using CSU's 65 days from transplant to harvest. Home-grown transplants need seeds started Jul 11–25 (CSU: 5–7 weeks).

When to plant cabbage in Memphis

Hardy crop. CSU says cabbage can go in as early as 2–4 weeks before the average last frost, once the soil can be worked and is at least 40°F. In Memphis, that's roughly Feb 16 – Mar 2 going by the typical date, or Mar 7–21 going by the safer date. Set out on Feb 24, cabbage plants would start producing around May 20, based on CSU's typical 85 days from transplant to harvest. That leaves 180 days before the typical first frost (Nov 16). For a fall harvest of cabbage, get transplants in the ground by Aug 9 (UNL Extension count-back from the typical first frost, Nov 16, with CSU's 85 days from transplant to harvest). To raise your own, sow seeds Jun 21 – Jul 5, 5–7 weeks ahead (CSU).

When to plant cauliflower in Memphis

Semi-hardy crop. CSU allows planting cauliflower as early as 0–2 weeks before the average last frost, in soil at 40°F or warmer. For Memphis, that's roughly Mar 2–16 by the typical date or Mar 21 – Apr 4 by the safer date.

When to plant kohlrabi in Memphis

Hardy crop. CSU says kohlrabi can go in as early as 2–4 weeks before the average last frost: roughly Feb 16 – Mar 2 in Memphis using the typical date, or Mar 7–21 using the safer one. Wait until the soil can be worked and is at least 40°F. For a fall crop, sow by Sep 13, or by Aug 30 to be safe. That's 64 days back from the first-frost date.

When to plant green onions in Memphis

Hardy crop. CSU says green onions can go in as early as 2–4 weeks before the average last frost: roughly Feb 16 – Mar 2 in Memphis using the typical date, or Mar 7–21 using the safer one. Wait until the soil can be worked and is at least 35°F. For fall, sow by Sep 3 (Aug 20 to be safe), which is 74 days before the first-frost date.

When to plant radishes in Memphis

Hardy crop. CSU says radishes can go in as early as 2–4 weeks before the average last frost: roughly Feb 16 – Mar 2 in Memphis using the typical date, or Mar 7–21 using the safer one. Wait until the soil can be worked and is at least 40°F. For a fall crop, sow by Oct 3, or by Sep 19 to be safe. That's 44 days back from the first-frost date.

When to plant spinach in Memphis

Hardy crop. CSU says spinach can go in as early as 2–4 weeks before the average last frost: roughly Feb 16 – Mar 2 in Memphis using the typical date, or Mar 7–21 using the safer one. Wait until the soil can be worked and is at least 40°F. For a fall crop, sow by Sep 23, or by Sep 9 to be safe. That's 54 days back from the first-frost date.

When to plant turnips in Memphis

Hardy crop. CSU says turnips can go in as early as 2–4 weeks before the average last frost: roughly Feb 16 – Mar 2 in Memphis using the typical date, or Mar 7–21 using the safer one. Wait until the soil can be worked and is at least 40°F. For a fall crop, sow by Sep 13, or by Aug 30 to be safe. That's 64 days back from the first-frost date.

When to plant beets in Memphis

Semi-hardy crop. Per CSU, beets can go in as early as 0–2 weeks before the average last frost: roughly Mar 2–16 in Memphis (typical date) or Mar 21 – Apr 4 (safer date). The soil should be at least 40°F. For fall, count back 74 days from the first-frost date. That means sowing by Sep 3, or by Aug 20 to be safe.

When to plant swiss chard in Memphis

Semi-hardy crop. Per CSU, swiss chard can go in as early as 0–2 weeks before the average last frost: roughly Mar 2–16 in Memphis (typical date) or Mar 21 – Apr 4 (safer date). The soil should be at least 40°F. For fall, count back 74 days from the first-frost date. That means sowing by Sep 3, or by Aug 20 to be safe.

When to plant parsnips in Memphis

Semi-hardy crop. CSU says parsnips can be planted as early as 0–2 weeks before the average last frost, in soil of at least 35°F. In Memphis, that's roughly Mar 2–16 going by the typical date, or Mar 21 – Apr 4 going by the safer date.

When to plant sweet corn in Memphis

Tender crop. Sow sweet corn around the average last frost, per CSU: about Mar 16 in Memphis. Waiting until Apr 4 cuts the chance of a later 32°F night to 1 in 10. Seeds need soil of at least 50°F.

When to plant cucumbers in Memphis

Tender crop. CSU says to sow cucumbers around the average last frost, about Mar 16 in Memphis. If you want only a 1-in-10 chance of a later 32°F night, wait until Apr 4. Seeds need soil of at least 60°F. For a fall crop, sow by Aug 25, or by Aug 11 to be safe. That's 83 days back from the first-frost date.

When to plant eggplant in Memphis

Very tender crop. Following CSU Extension's rule (2+ weeks after the average last frost), set eggplant out around Mar 30 with the typical date, Apr 7 for a balanced choice, or Apr 18 with the safer 10% date. Sow seeds indoors Feb 3–24, 6–9 weeks before transplanting on Apr 7. Set out on Apr 7, eggplant plants would start producing around Jun 6, based on CSU's typical 60 days from transplant to harvest. That leaves 163 days before the typical first frost (Nov 16).

When to plant cantaloupe in Memphis

Very tender crop. CSU Extension says to plant cantaloupe 2+ weeks after the average last frost: about Mar 30 (typical date), Apr 7 (balanced) or Apr 18 (safer 10% date). Wait for soil of at least 60°F.

When to plant watermelon in Memphis

Very tender crop. CSU Extension's rule is to plant watermelon at least 2 weeks after the average last frost. That's about Mar 30 using the typical date, Apr 7 as a balanced choice, or Apr 18 if you go by the safer 10% date. Seeds need soil of at least 60°F.

When to plant winter squash in Memphis

Very tender crop. CSU Extension's rule is to plant winter squash at least 2 weeks after the average last frost. That's about Mar 30 using the typical date, Apr 7 as a balanced choice, or Apr 18 if you go by the safer 10% date. Seeds need soil of at least 60°F.

How these dates are calculated

CSU states its spring rules relative to “the average last spring frost.” We use the 50% date as that average and also show the 30% and 10% anchors. See the methodology for details and limitations.

FAQ

When should I start seeds indoors in Memphis?

Tomatoes: Feb 23 – Mar 9. Peppers: Feb 10–24. Both windows count back from a balanced (30%-risk) transplant date using CSU's transplant ages.

When should I plant tomatoes outside in Memphis?

CSU Extension's rules for tomatoes are 2+ weeks after the average last frost and nights above 52°F. The frost rule alone would allow about Mar 30 here, but the average nightly low at Memphis International Airport isn't above 52°F until Apr 13. With both rules, the dates are about Apr 13 at the earliest, Apr 13 as a balanced choice, or Apr 18 to be safe.

What can I plant in Memphis in the fall?

Counting back from the typical first frost (Nov 16) with UNL Extension's method: peas by Aug 29; lettuce (leaf) by Sep 3; carrots by Aug 24; beans (snap) by Aug 20; summer squash by Aug 30; broccoli by Aug 29 (transplants); cabbage by Aug 9 (transplants); kohlrabi by Sep 13; green onions by Sep 3; radishes by Oct 3; spinach by Sep 23; turnips by Sep 13; beets by Sep 3; swiss chard by Sep 3; cucumbers by Aug 25.

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