tennessee · Crop calendar

tennessee planting calendar.

Spring and fall planting windows for 18 crops in tennessee. Extension-verified where available, USDA-sourced otherwise.

corn
primary
Corn is widely grown in Tennessee — commercially significant or common in home gardens and food plots.
Spring
April 3 earliest · April 10–May 1 ideal · May 15 latest
Wait for 50°F at 2-inch soil depth — typically 1 week after last frost in northern states; close to last frost in southern states.
Planting windows shift earlier in southern parts of the state and later in northern parts. Use last frost date in your specific county as the reference.
soybeans
primary
Soybeans is widely grown in Tennessee — commercially significant or common in home gardens and food plots.
Spring
April 10 earliest · April 24–May 15 ideal · May 30 latest
Wait for 50°F minimum soil temp at 2-inch depth. Soybeans planted into colder soil emerge slowly and are vulnerable to seed rot.
Planting windows shift earlier in southern parts of the state and later in northern parts. Use last frost date in your specific county as the reference.
winter_wheat
primary
Winter Wheat is widely grown in Tennessee — commercially significant or common in home gardens and food plots.
Fall
October 4 earliest · October 18–November 8 ideal · November 22 latest
Plant 6-8 weeks before first hard freeze for adequate fall tillering. Hessian fly free dates often dictate exact timing.
Planting windows shift earlier in southern parts of the state and later in northern parts. Use last frost date in your specific county as the reference.
cotton
secondary
Cotton is grown in Tennessee but is not a dominant crop — works for home gardens, food plots, and some commercial production.
Spring
April 17 earliest · April 24–May 15 ideal · June 5 latest
Wait for 65°F minimum soil temp at 2-inch depth, sustained for 3-5 days. Cotton emerges very slowly below this threshold.
Planting windows shift earlier in southern parts of the state and later in northern parts. Use last frost date in your specific county as the reference.
grain_sorghum
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Grain Sorghum is widely grown in Tennessee — commercially significant or common in home gardens and food plots.
Spring
April 24 earliest · May 1–May 29 ideal · June 19 latest
Wait for 65°F minimum soil temp. Sorghum is heat-loving and tolerates planting up to 2 months after corn.
Planting windows shift earlier in southern parts of the state and later in northern parts. Use last frost date in your specific county as the reference.
sunflowers
primary
Sunflowers is widely grown in Tennessee — commercially significant or common in home gardens and food plots.
Spring
April 3 earliest · April 17–May 15 ideal · June 5 latest
Wait for 50°F minimum soil temp. Sunflowers tolerate light frost in seedling stage but not after stem elongation.
Planting windows shift earlier in southern parts of the state and later in northern parts. Use last frost date in your specific county as the reference.
tomatoes
primary
Tomatoes is widely grown in Tennessee — commercially significant or common in home gardens and food plots.
Spring
April 17 earliest · April 24–May 15 ideal · June 5 latest
Transplant after last frost when soil reaches 60°F. Garden centers typically have transplants 1-2 weeks before this window.
Planting windows shift earlier in southern parts of the state and later in northern parts. Use last frost date in your specific county as the reference.
sweet_corn
primary
Sweet Corn is widely grown in Tennessee — commercially significant or common in home gardens and food plots.
Spring
April 3 earliest · April 10–May 15 ideal · June 5 latest
Wait for 55°F at 2-inch depth. Succession plant every 10-14 days for extended harvest.
Planting windows shift earlier in southern parts of the state and later in northern parts. Use last frost date in your specific county as the reference.
potatoes
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Potatoes is widely grown in Tennessee — commercially significant or common in home gardens and food plots.
Spring
March 20 earliest · March 27–April 17 ideal · May 1 latest
Plant when soil reaches 45°F at 4-inch depth — often 2-4 weeks before last frost. Cool-season crop.
Fall
July 27 earliest · August 11–August 26 ideal · September 10 latest
Plant when soil reaches 45°F at 4-inch depth — often 2-4 weeks before last frost. Cool-season crop.
Planting windows shift earlier in southern parts of the state and later in northern parts. Use last frost date in your specific county as the reference.
peppers
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Peppers is widely grown in Tennessee — commercially significant or common in home gardens and food plots.
Spring
April 24 earliest · May 1–May 22 ideal · June 12 latest
Transplant when soil reaches 65°F at 2-inch depth — typically 2 weeks after last frost. Peppers are even more cold-sensitive than tomatoes.
Planting windows shift earlier in southern parts of the state and later in northern parts. Use last frost date in your specific county as the reference.
cucumbers
primary
Cucumbers is widely grown in Tennessee — commercially significant or common in home gardens and food plots.
Spring
April 17 earliest · April 24–May 29 ideal · June 19 latest
Direct seed when soil reaches 60°F at 2-inch depth. Cool soils slow germination dramatically.
Planting windows shift earlier in southern parts of the state and later in northern parts. Use last frost date in your specific county as the reference.
pumpkins
primary
Pumpkins is widely grown in Tennessee — commercially significant or common in home gardens and food plots.
Spring
April 24 earliest · May 1–May 29 ideal · June 12 latest
Direct seed when soil reaches 60°F. Plan harvest date first — count back 90-110 days from desired harvest.
Planting windows shift earlier in southern parts of the state and later in northern parts. Use last frost date in your specific county as the reference.
alfalfa
primary
Alfalfa is widely grown in Tennessee — commercially significant or common in home gardens and food plots.
Spring
March 20 earliest · April 3–May 1 ideal · May 22 latest
Spring seeding: cool-season germination at 45°F+. Fall seeding: 60-90 days before first hard freeze for establishment.
Fall
August 11 earliest · August 26–September 10 ideal · September 25 latest
Spring seeding: cool-season germination at 45°F+. Fall seeding: 60-90 days before first hard freeze for establishment.
Planting windows shift earlier in southern parts of the state and later in northern parts. Use last frost date in your specific county as the reference.
clover
primary
Clover is widely grown in Tennessee — commercially significant or common in home gardens and food plots.
Spring
March 6 earliest · March 20–April 17 ideal · May 8 latest
Frost-seed onto frozen ground in late winter for natural soil incorporation. Fall-seed in southern states for over-winter establishment.
Fall
August 11 earliest · August 26–September 10 ideal · September 25 latest
Frost-seed onto frozen ground in late winter for natural soil incorporation. Fall-seed in southern states for over-winter establishment.
Planting windows shift earlier in southern parts of the state and later in northern parts. Use last frost date in your specific county as the reference.
brassicas
primary
Brassicas is widely grown in Tennessee — commercially significant or common in home gardens and food plots.
Fall
July 27 earliest · August 11–August 26 ideal · September 10 latest
Late summer planting for fall food plot — 60-90 days before first hard frost provides peak forage value before deer season.
Planting windows shift earlier in southern parts of the state and later in northern parts. Use last frost date in your specific county as the reference.
winter_rye
primary
Winter Rye is widely grown in Tennessee — commercially significant or common in home gardens and food plots.
Fall
October 4 earliest · October 18–November 8 ideal · November 22 latest
Most cold-tolerant cereal — germinates at 38°F. Plant 4-6 weeks before first hard freeze for maximum fall establishment.
Planting windows shift earlier in southern parts of the state and later in northern parts. Use last frost date in your specific county as the reference.
cereal_oats
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Cereal Oats is widely grown in Tennessee — commercially significant or common in home gardens and food plots.
Spring
March 20 earliest · April 3–May 1 ideal · May 22 latest
Spring oats: plant as soon as soil can be worked. Fall oats: 60-75 days before first hard freeze — winter-killed in northern states.
Fall
August 11 earliest · August 26–September 10 ideal · September 27 latest
Spring oats: plant as soon as soil can be worked. Fall oats: 60-75 days before first hard freeze — winter-killed in northern states.
Planting windows shift earlier in southern parts of the state and later in northern parts. Use last frost date in your specific county as the reference.
buckwheat
primary
Buckwheat is widely grown in Tennessee — commercially significant or common in home gardens and food plots.
Spring
May 15 earliest · June 5–July 3 ideal · July 24 latest
Wait for 50°F minimum soil temp. Plant summer for 70-90 day cover crop or food plot rotation.
Planting windows shift earlier in southern parts of the state and later in northern parts. Use last frost date in your specific county as the reference.

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