What to plant this week in Nashville, TN
With average lows hovering near 5°F this week, Nashville gardeners should focus on finalizing overwintering garlic and ornamental alliums before the ground truly settles. The calendar indicates you are well past your last frost of March 28, meaning your warm-season crops like okra and cucumbers are ready to push vigorously as long as a hard freeze doesn't sneak in.
The next 7 days
Nashville, TNGrowing in Nashville right now
- Nashville's valley floor traps cold air in low-lying areas; use row covers immediately on young beans and squash if temperatures dip below freezing tonight.
- The city's heavy clay soils retain moisture well during our humid springs but can become waterlogged; ensure drainage holes are clear for all transplanted squash varieties being harvested soon.
- Late spring frosts still occur after March 28 in our zone 7b microclimates, so protect tender herbs like basil and borage with fleece if a storm front moves through quickly.
- Take advantage of the current harvest window to pull up mature acorn and butternut squash before soil temperatures drop too low for optimal curing.
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
- Spider mites are beginning to thrive in our rising humidity on the undersides of basil, borage, and leafy greens as we exit the frost-freeze cycle.
- Late-season aphid colonies may form on new growth of pole beans and scarlet runner beans, especially if there has been little wind this week.
- Powdery mildew can spread rapidly on zinnias and cosmos in our humid afternoons; encourage airflow by staking tall varieties like sunflowers and morning glories.
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.
Nashville gardening questions
3Should I plant new seeds now or wait for warmer weather?
Since the average last frost date is March 28, it is generally safe to sow cold-hardy crops outdoors, though your current list suggests focusing on harvesting mature items first. If you have started indoors, tomatoes and peppers can be transplanted once night temps consistently stay above 50°F.
How do I extend the life of my summer squash harvest?
Pick zucchini and yellow summer squash regularly before they get large to prevent them from seeding out, which stops new production. Harvesting before frost hits ensures you get the best flavor and texture for your garden's final yield.
What should I do about the clay soil in my Nashville yard?
Mix in plenty of compost or aged manure to improve drainage and aeration, as our heavy clay can become compacted and cold. Raised beds are also an excellent solution here to bypass poor native soil conditions entirely.
Other cities in zone 7b
12See the full zone 7b guide → · Plan your Nashville garden in SproutGuide →