What to plant this week in Knoxville, TN
Knoxville gardeners in zone 7b should focus on planting garlic this week as air temperatures dip toward our 5-degree minimum. With the last frost historically around March 28, your spring beds are still sensitive to a final touch of cold before breaking dormancy.
The next 7 days
Knoxville, TNGrowing in Knoxville right now
- Utilize Knoxville's heavy clay soils by mixing in compost or using raised beds for better drainage during wet spells.
- Take advantage of our mild winter nights to plant garlic cloves now; they will establish roots before the deep freeze hits in January.
- Monitor moisture closely as East Tennessee rainfall often saturates low-lying areas, increasing rot risk for early spring crops.
Sow this week
1 crops- Garlic
Transplant this week
Nothing is due to go out this week.
Harvest soon
2 crops- Daikon Radish
- Garlic
Seasonal tips
- Finish harvesting cool-season crops like Daikon radish before temperatures drop too low.
- Plant cover crops or winter rye now to protect soil structure during the dormant season.
- Apply a thick layer of mulch around garlic plants to insulate bulbs from freezing ground.
Pest & disease watch
- Watch for onion maggots beginning to emerge around garlic and other alliums planted this week.
- Keep an eye out for winter moths that may start laying eggs on overwintering vegetables now.
- Check seedlings in protected areas for slugs, which remain active during Knoxville's damp autumn weather.
Watering this week
Water garlic lightly and only when the soil is dry, avoiding wetting the bulbs directly to prevent rot.
Store your freshly harvested Daikon radishes in a cool, humid place like a crisper drawer or sand-filled bin.
Knoxville gardening questions
3Can I transplant any outdoor crops right now?
No new transplants should be moved out yet; wait until after the average last frost date of March 28 to protect tender plants from our lingering cold snaps.
When can I expect to harvest my garlic?
Since you are sowing now, your garlic crop will be ready for harvest around late June or early July as the foliage begins to yellow and fall over.
What should I do with the Daikon Radish scheduled for harvest soon?
Pull your Daikon radishes immediately before the ground freezes solid, as cold soil can cause the roots to split or become woody by mid-November.
Other cities in zone 7b
12See the full zone 7b guide → · Plan your Knoxville garden in SproutGuide →