Nashville, TN Vegetable Planting Calendar

What to plant now in Nashville

No planting windows from our rules fall in October; see the month-by-month list below.

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 (Apr 1, 50% risk), balanced = Apr 7 (30%), safe = Apr 16 (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 Nashville

What to plant in Nashville in January

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

What to plant in Nashville in February

• Start cauliflower seeds indoors (Feb 3–17)
• Start eggplant seeds indoors (Feb 17 – Mar 10)
• Start pepper seeds indoors (Feb 24 – Mar 10)
• Start broccoli seeds indoors (Jan 20 – Feb 3)
• Start cabbage seeds indoors (Jan 20 – Feb 3)

What to plant in Nashville in March

• Onions (dry, from sets): plant sets outdoors (Mar 4 – Apr 2)
• Peas: direct sow outdoors (Mar 4 – Apr 2)
• Lettuce (leaf): direct sow outdoors (Mar 4 – Apr 2)
• Broccoli: transplant outdoors (Mar 4 – Apr 2)
• Cabbage: transplant outdoors (Mar 4 – Apr 2)
• Kohlrabi: direct sow outdoors (Mar 4 – Apr 2)
• Green onions: direct sow outdoors (Mar 4 – Apr 2)
• Radishes: direct sow outdoors (Mar 4 – Apr 2)
• Spinach: direct sow outdoors (Mar 4 – Apr 2)
• Turnips: direct sow outdoors (Mar 4 – Apr 2)
• Start tomato seeds indoors (Mar 15–29)
• Potatoes: plant (seed pieces) outdoors (Mar 18 – Apr 16)
• Carrots: direct sow outdoors (Mar 18 – Apr 16)
• Cauliflower: transplant outdoors (Mar 18 – Apr 16)
• Beets: direct sow outdoors (Mar 18 – Apr 16)
• Swiss chard: direct sow outdoors (Mar 18 – Apr 16)
• Parsnips: direct sow outdoors (Mar 18 – Apr 16)
• Start eggplant seeds indoors (Feb 17 – Mar 10)
• Start pepper seeds indoors (Feb 24 – Mar 10)

What to plant in Nashville in April

• Beans (snap): direct sow outdoors (Apr 1–16)
• Summer squash: direct sow outdoors (Apr 1–16)
• Sweet corn: direct sow outdoors (Apr 1–16)
• Cucumbers: direct sow outdoors (Apr 1–16)
• Peppers: transplant outdoors (Apr 15–30)
• Eggplant: transplant outdoors (Apr 15–30)
• Cantaloupe: direct sow outdoors (Apr 15–30)
• Watermelon: direct sow outdoors (Apr 15–30)
• Winter squash: direct sow outdoors (Apr 15–30)
• Onions (dry, from sets): plant sets outdoors (Mar 4 – Apr 2)
• Peas: direct sow outdoors (Mar 4 – Apr 2)
• Lettuce (leaf): direct sow outdoors (Mar 4 – Apr 2)
• Broccoli: transplant outdoors (Mar 4 – Apr 2)
• Cabbage: transplant outdoors (Mar 4 – Apr 2)
• Kohlrabi: direct sow outdoors (Mar 4 – Apr 2)
• Green onions: direct sow outdoors (Mar 4 – Apr 2)
• Radishes: direct sow outdoors (Mar 4 – Apr 2)
• Spinach: direct sow outdoors (Mar 4 – Apr 2)
• Turnips: direct sow outdoors (Mar 4 – Apr 2)
• Potatoes: plant (seed pieces) outdoors (Mar 18 – Apr 16)
• Carrots: direct sow outdoors (Mar 18 – Apr 16)
• Cauliflower: transplant outdoors (Mar 18 – Apr 16)
• Beets: direct sow outdoors (Mar 18 – Apr 16)
• Swiss chard: direct sow outdoors (Mar 18 – Apr 16)
• Parsnips: direct sow outdoors (Mar 18 – Apr 16)

What to plant in Nashville in May

• Tomatoes: transplant outdoors (May 3)

What to plant in Nashville in June

• Start cabbage seeds indoors for a fall crop (Jun 5–19)
• Start broccoli seeds indoors for a fall crop (Jun 25 – Jul 9)

What to plant in Nashville in July

• Last day to set out cabbage transplants for a fall harvest (by Jul 24)
• Start broccoli seeds indoors for a fall crop (Jun 25 – Jul 9)

What to plant in Nashville in August

• Last day to sow beans (snap) for a fall harvest (by Aug 4)
• Last day to sow carrots for a fall harvest (by Aug 8)
• Last day to sow cucumbers for a fall harvest (by Aug 9)
• Last day to sow peas for a fall harvest (by Aug 13)
• Last day to set out broccoli transplants for a fall harvest (by Aug 13)
• Last day to sow summer squash for a fall harvest (by Aug 14)
• Last day to sow lettuce (leaf) for a fall harvest (by Aug 18)
• Last day to sow green onions for a fall harvest (by Aug 18)
• Last day to sow beets for a fall harvest (by Aug 18)
• Last day to sow swiss chard for a fall harvest (by Aug 18)
• Last day to sow kohlrabi for a fall harvest (by Aug 28)
• Last day to sow turnips for a fall harvest (by Aug 28)

What to plant in Nashville in September

• Last day to sow spinach for a fall harvest (by Sep 7)
• Last day to sow radishes for a fall harvest (by Sep 17)

Crop-by-crop notes

When to plant tomatoes in Nashville

Very tender crop. Set tomatoes out about May 3, whichever risk level you go by. That date comes from CSU Extension's night rule (nights above 52°F): the average nightly low at Shelby Bottoms Nature first rises above 52°F on May 3. CSU's other rule, at least 2 weeks after the average last frost, would allow about Apr 15 in Nashville. Sow seeds indoors Mar 15–29, 5–7 weeks before transplanting on May 3. Below 55°F at night, fruit set suffers (CSU). At Shelby Bottoms Nature, the normal low reaches 55°F on May 14. Using CSU's typical 65 days from transplant to harvest, tomato plants set out on May 3 would start producing around Jul 7. That's 116 days before the typical first frost (Oct 31).

When to plant peppers in Nashville

Very tender crop. CSU Extension's rule is 2+ weeks after the average last frost, which puts peppers outside around Apr 15 (typical date), Apr 21 (balanced) or Apr 30 (safer 10% date). Start seeds indoors Feb 24 – Mar 10, 6–8 weeks ahead of transplanting on Apr 21. Below 55°F at night, fruit set suffers (CSU). At Shelby Bottoms Nature, the normal low reaches 55°F on May 14. Using CSU's typical 70 days from transplant to harvest, pepper plants set out on Apr 21 would start producing around Jun 30. That's 123 days before the typical first frost (Oct 31).

When to plant potatoes in Nashville

Semi-hardy crop. CSU allows planting potatoes as early as 0–2 weeks before the average last frost, in soil at 45°F or warmer. For Nashville, that's roughly Mar 18 – Apr 1 by the typical date or Apr 2–16 by the safer date.

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

Hardy crop. CSU says onions (dry, from sets) 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 Nashville, that's roughly Mar 4–18 going by the typical date, or Mar 19 – Apr 2 going by the safer date.

When to plant peas in Nashville

Hardy crop. CSU says peas can go in as early as 2–4 weeks before the average last frost: roughly Mar 4–18 in Nashville using the typical date, or Mar 19 – Apr 2 using the safer one. Wait until the soil can be worked and is at least 40°F. For fall, sow by Aug 13 (Jul 31 to be safe), which is 79 days before the first-frost date.

When to plant lettuce (leaf) in Nashville

Hardy crop. CSU says lettuce (leaf) can go in as early as 2–4 weeks before the average last frost: roughly Mar 4–18 in Nashville using the typical date, or Mar 19 – Apr 2 using the safer one. Wait until the soil can be worked and is at least 35°F. For fall, count back 74 days from the first-frost date. That means sowing by Aug 18, or by Aug 5 to be safe.

When to plant carrots in Nashville

Semi-hardy crop. CSU allows planting carrots as early as 0–2 weeks before the average last frost, in soil at 40°F or warmer. For Nashville, that's roughly Mar 18 – Apr 1 by the typical date or Apr 2–16 by the safer date. For fall, count back 84 days from the first-frost date. That means sowing by Aug 8, or by Jul 26 to be safe.

When to plant beans (snap) in Nashville

Tender crop. CSU's timing for beans (snap) is around the average last frost, which is about Apr 1 in Nashville. For only a 1-in-10 chance of a later 32°F night, hold off until Apr 16. Seeds want soil at 55°F or warmer. For fall, sow by Aug 4 (Jul 22 to be safe), which is 88 days before the first-frost date.

When to plant summer squash in Nashville

Tender crop. CSU says to sow summer squash around the average last frost, about Apr 1 in Nashville. If you want only a 1-in-10 chance of a later 32°F night, wait until Apr 16. Seeds need soil of at least 60°F. For fall, sow by Aug 14 (Aug 1 to be safe), which is 78 days before the first-frost date.

When to plant broccoli in Nashville

Hardy crop. Per CSU, broccoli 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 Nashville, that works out to roughly Mar 4–18 (typical date) or Mar 19 – Apr 2 (safer date). CSU's typical time from transplant to harvest for broccoli plants is 65 days. Set out on Mar 10, they would start producing around May 14, 170 days before the typical first frost (Oct 31). For a fall crop, set broccoli transplants out by Aug 13. That's UNL Extension's count-back from the typical first frost (Oct 31), using CSU's 65 days from transplant to harvest. If you grow your own transplants, start seeds Jun 25 – Jul 9 (CSU: 5–7 weeks to transplant size).

When to plant cabbage in Nashville

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 Nashville, that's roughly Mar 4–18 going by the typical date, or Mar 19 – Apr 2 going by the safer date. Set out on Mar 10, cabbage plants would start producing around Jun 3, based on CSU's typical 85 days from transplant to harvest. That leaves 150 days before the typical first frost (Oct 31). Fall cabbage: set transplants out by Jul 24. The date counts back from the typical first frost (Oct 31) by UNL Extension's method, using CSU's 85 days from transplant to harvest. Home-grown transplants need seeds started Jun 5–19 (CSU: 5–7 weeks).

When to plant cauliflower in Nashville

Semi-hardy crop. CSU says cauliflower can be planted as early as 0–2 weeks before the average last frost, in soil of at least 40°F. In Nashville, that's roughly Mar 18 – Apr 1 going by the typical date, or Apr 2–16 going by the safer date.

When to plant kohlrabi in Nashville

Hardy crop. Per CSU, kohlrabi 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 Nashville, that works out to roughly Mar 4–18 (typical date) or Mar 19 – Apr 2 (safer date). For fall, count back 64 days from the first-frost date. That means sowing by Aug 28, or by Aug 15 to be safe.

When to plant green onions in Nashville

Hardy crop. CSU says green onions can go in as early as 2–4 weeks before the average last frost: roughly Mar 4–18 in Nashville using the typical date, or Mar 19 – Apr 2 using the safer one. Wait until the soil can be worked and is at least 35°F. For fall, count back 74 days from the first-frost date. That means sowing by Aug 18, or by Aug 5 to be safe.

When to plant radishes in Nashville

Hardy crop. Per CSU, radishes 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 Nashville, that works out to roughly Mar 4–18 (typical date) or Mar 19 – Apr 2 (safer date). For fall, count back 44 days from the first-frost date. That means sowing by Sep 17, or by Sep 4 to be safe.

When to plant spinach in Nashville

Hardy crop. CSU says spinach 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 Nashville, that's roughly Mar 4–18 going by the typical date, or Mar 19 – Apr 2 going by the safer date. For a fall crop, sow by Sep 7, or by Aug 25 to be safe. That's 54 days back from the first-frost date.

When to plant turnips in Nashville

Hardy crop. CSU says turnips can go in as early as 2–4 weeks before the average last frost: roughly Mar 4–18 in Nashville using the typical date, or Mar 19 – Apr 2 using the safer one. Wait until the soil can be worked and is at least 40°F. For fall, sow by Aug 28 (Aug 15 to be safe), which is 64 days before the first-frost date.

When to plant beets in Nashville

Semi-hardy crop. Per CSU, beets can go in as early as 0–2 weeks before the average last frost: roughly Mar 18 – Apr 1 in Nashville (typical date) or Apr 2–16 (safer date). The soil should be at least 40°F. For fall, sow by Aug 18 (Aug 5 to be safe), which is 74 days before the first-frost date.

When to plant swiss chard in Nashville

Semi-hardy crop. CSU allows planting swiss chard as early as 0–2 weeks before the average last frost, in soil at 40°F or warmer. For Nashville, that's roughly Mar 18 – Apr 1 by the typical date or Apr 2–16 by the safer date. For a fall crop, sow by Aug 18, or by Aug 5 to be safe. That's 74 days back from the first-frost date.

When to plant parsnips in Nashville

Semi-hardy crop. Per CSU, parsnips can go in as early as 0–2 weeks before the average last frost: roughly Mar 18 – Apr 1 in Nashville (typical date) or Apr 2–16 (safer date). The soil should be at least 35°F.

When to plant sweet corn in Nashville

Tender crop. Sow sweet corn around the average last frost, per CSU: about Apr 1 in Nashville. Waiting until Apr 16 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 Nashville

Tender crop. CSU says to sow cucumbers around the average last frost, about Apr 1 in Nashville. If you want only a 1-in-10 chance of a later 32°F night, wait until Apr 16. Seeds need soil of at least 60°F. For fall, count back 83 days from the first-frost date. That means sowing by Aug 9, or by Jul 27 to be safe.

When to plant eggplant in Nashville

Very tender crop. CSU Extension's rule is to set eggplant out at least 2 weeks after the average last frost. That's about Apr 15 using the typical date, Apr 21 as a balanced choice, or Apr 30 if you go by the safer 10% date. Start seeds indoors Feb 17 – Mar 10, 6–9 weeks before transplanting on Apr 21. Set out on Apr 21, eggplant plants would start producing around Jun 20, based on CSU's typical 60 days from transplant to harvest. That leaves 133 days before the typical first frost (Oct 31).

When to plant cantaloupe in Nashville

Very tender crop. Following CSU Extension's rule of 2+ weeks after the average last frost, plant cantaloupe around Apr 15 at the earliest, Apr 21 as a balanced choice, or Apr 30 to be safe. CSU's minimum soil temperature is 60°F.

When to plant watermelon in Nashville

Very tender crop. Following CSU Extension's rule of 2+ weeks after the average last frost, plant watermelon around Apr 15 at the earliest, Apr 21 as a balanced choice, or Apr 30 to be safe. CSU's minimum soil temperature is 60°F.

When to plant winter squash in Nashville

Very tender crop. CSU Extension says to plant winter squash 2+ weeks after the average last frost: about Apr 15 (typical date), Apr 21 (balanced) or Apr 30 (safer 10% date). Wait for 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 Nashville?

Sow tomatoes indoors Mar 15–29 and peppers Feb 24 – Mar 10. We work back from a balanced (30%-risk) transplant date using CSU's transplant ages.

When should I plant tomatoes outside in Nashville?

About May 3 at every risk level, because the night rule decides it. CSU wants nights above 52°F at transplant, and the average nightly low at Shelby Bottoms Nature first rises above 52°F on May 3. CSU's frost rule (2+ weeks after the average last frost) would allow about Apr 15 here.

What can I plant in Nashville in the fall?

Based on UNL Extension's count-back from the typical first frost (Oct 31), the deadlines are: peas by Aug 13; lettuce (leaf) by Aug 18; carrots by Aug 8; beans (snap) by Aug 4; summer squash by Aug 14; broccoli by Aug 13 (transplants); cabbage by Jul 24 (transplants); kohlrabi by Aug 28; green onions by Aug 18; radishes by Sep 17; spinach by Sep 7; turnips by Aug 28; beets by Aug 18; swiss chard by Aug 18; cucumbers by Aug 9.

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