What to plant this week in Nashville, TN
With average last frost dates hovering around March 28, Nashville gardeners are already knee-deep in warm-weather action this week. The region's humid spring air and clay-rich river valleys make now the perfect time to push seeds like watermelon, okra, and sweet corn into the ground.
The next 7 days
Nashville, TNGrowing in Nashville right now
- Nashville's heavy clay soil in the Metro area drains slowly; be sure to amend planting holes with compost or choose raised beds for beans and squash to prevent root rot.
- The city sits in a rain shadow relative to surrounding hills, so expect dry spells between showers—maintain consistent moisture for young transplants and seedlings.
- Watch for wind damage on tall crops like sunflowers and watermelon vines as the terrain slopes downward toward the Cumberland River basin.
Sow this week
27 crops- Basil
- Borage
- Bush Bean
- Cantaloupe
- Cleome (Spider Flower)
- Cosmos
- Cowpea (Black-Eyed Pea)
- Cucumber
- Edamame
- Fennel
- French Marigold
- Garden Verbena
- Lima Bean
- Malabar Spinach
- Nasturtium
- Okra
- Pole Bean
- Scarlet Runner Bean
- Shiso (Japanese Basil)
- Summer Savory
- Sweet Corn
- Thai Basil
- Vinca (Madagascar Periwinkle)
- Watermelon
- Yellow Summer Squash
- Zinnia
- Zucchini
Transplant this week
Nothing is due to go out this week.
Harvest soon
48 crops- Basil
- Borage
- Brussels Sprouts
- Bush Bean
- Cantaloupe
- Celery
- Cleome (Spider Flower)
- Cosmos
- Cowpea (Black-Eyed Pea)
- Cucumber
- Dahlia
- Edamame
- Fennel
- Flour Corn
- French Marigold
- Garden Verbena
- Garlic
- Ghost Pepper (Bhut Jolokia)
- Gourd (Ornamental/Bottle)
- Habanero Pepper
- Honeydew Melon
- Leek
- Lima Bean
- Lisianthus (Prairie Gentian)
- Loofah (Luffa)
- Malabar Spinach
- Nasturtium
- Okra
- Ornamental Sweet Potato Vine
- Parsnip
- Pole Bean
- Potato
- Pumpkin
- Roselle (Cranberry Hibiscus)
- Scarlet Runner Bean
- Shiso (Japanese Basil)
- Summer Savory
- Sunflower
- Sweet Corn
- Sweet Potato
- Thai Basil
- Tomatillo
- Vinca (Madagascar Periwinkle)
- Watermelon
- Winter Squash
- Yellow Summer Squash
- Zinnia
- Zucchini
Seasonal tips
- Succession sow bush beans and pole beans every two weeks to extend your summer bean harvest.
- Apply a light mulch around newly transplanted squash and watermelons to retain soil moisture as temperatures rise.
- Pinch back the tops of basil plants regularly now that they are established to encourage bushier growth.
- Prepare for a second planting of fast-maturing crops like radishes or lettuce if you missed an earlier window.
Pest & disease watch
- Aphids are exploding on new basil and nasturtium growth due to the recent warm, humid stretch common in Middle Tennessee summers.
- Spider mites can quickly infest zucchini and summer squash if humidity drops during Nashville's dry heatwaves this week.
- Cutworms frequently target pole bean and tomato seedlings when they emerge from winter dormancy in early spring.
Watering this week
Water deeply at the base of plants each morning to encourage deep roots while preventing fungal diseases on foliage.
Harvest your okra early in the morning when pods are tender, as they become tough and stringy later in the day.
Nashville gardening questions
3Can I plant cantaloupe seeds directly into my Nashville garden now?
Yes, this is the ideal time to sow cantaloupe after the last frost date of March 28 has passed. Ensure you get those seeds in immediately while the soil stays warm enough for germination.
My okra plants aren't growing fast; should I add more fertilizer?
Okra thrives on heat and needs less frequent feeding than other heavy feeders like peppers or beans. Focus on deep watering instead, as Nashville's clay can hold water but may dry out quickly at the surface.
When is the best time to harvest my pole beans this week?
You can start picking bush and pole beans now if they have reached mature size, as the season runs through late fall. Harvest them in the morning before the heat of the day to keep the pods crisp.
Other cities in zone 7b
12See the full zone 7b guide → · Plan your Nashville garden in SproutGuide →