Tennessee Planting Calendar

Frost dates, growing zones, and planting dates for Tennessee gardeners.

Zone 6a Zone 6b Zone 7a Zone 7b

The Short Answer

Tennessee spans USDA zones 6a through 7b, which means planting dates vary significantly across the state. East Tennessee has an average last frost around Apr 5 - Apr 25, while West Tennessee sees its last frost around Mar 25 - Apr 10. Use our homepage tool with your zip code for dates specific to your exact location.

Tennessee Frost Dates by Region

Mild four-season climate. Hot, humid summers. Adequate rainfall. Good growing season for wide variety of crops.

Region Zones Last Frost (Spring) First Frost (Fall)
East Tennessee 6a, 6b, 7a Apr 5 - Apr 25 Oct 10 - Oct 25
Middle Tennessee 6b, 7a Apr 5 - Apr 20 Oct 15 - Nov 1
West Tennessee 7a, 7b Mar 25 - Apr 10 Oct 20 - Nov 5

Soil & Growing Conditions

Clay soils over limestone in Middle Tennessee. Rich river bottom soils in west. Rocky mountain soils in east.

What to Plant in Tennessee

Tennessee's long season gives you two planting windows and room for crops that colder states can't grow. The key is timing around your summer heat peak:

Heat Lovers (Tennessee's Advantage)

OkraSweet PotatoesWatermelonEggplantPeppers

Spring & Fall Crops

TomatoesCucumbersBeans (Green/Snap)Squash (Summer)Corn (Sweet)BasilGarlicLettuceBroccoliCarrotsKalePeas

Flowers & Perennials

SunflowersZinniasLavenderMarigoldsDaylilies

Browse all 100 plants — or enter your zip code for personalized planting dates.

Neighboring States

Gardeners near state borders may find useful information in neighboring state guides:

Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming
Note: Frost dates are based on NOAA 30-year Climate Normals and represent historical averages. Actual frost dates can vary significantly year to year. Zone data is from the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map.

Last reviewed: March 29, 2026

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