When should I plant my garden?

Spring is here, and it’s time to get your spring garden started.

March 19 marked the first day of spring, and if you haven’t started, now is the time to plan what you want in your spring and summer garden. Timing is a big part of making sure you have a harvest ready when you want it.

Tennessee’s climate is variable across the state so start times may differ if you live in Knoxville compared to Memphis or Nashville. For the most part, now is the time to start early seeds (like kale or lettuce), and prep your materials for gardening and getting seedlings into the ground after the last frost, according to the University of Tennessee Extension.

Want to start your own garden? Here are some dates to keep in mind when planting.

When should I plant my tomatoes?

Tomatoes are sun-loving plants that are not fond of cold temperatures or frost.

The Farmer’s Almanac suggests people who are starting tomatoes from seed, start them indoors six weeks before the last expected spring frost date. For East and Middle Tennessee you should keep them indoors until the second or third week in April, that is when the last frost is expected for this part of the state. West Tennessee will probably see its last frost toward the end of March though.

Seedlings can be planted outdoors about two weeks after that date or when temperatures stay in the mid-50 degree range both day and night, according to the Almanac.

Once you get them planted in the ground, or a container, it can take anywhere from 60 to 100 days for a plant to mature, depending on the variety.

The University of Tennessee has a handy guide on planting tomatoes as well. Check it out here and at libguides.utk.edu.

What vegetables can I plant in Tennessee in March?

Tomatoes love the sun, but there are plenty of plants that can stand the slightly cooler temperatures that grace Tennessee in March.

Hearty vegetables like beets, broccoli, some leafy greens, chives, leeks and kale can all weather the cooler nights we have this time of year. You can even start seeds outside of some of these in the later part of the month.

To get an idea of when you should plant in your part of the state, check out the Almanac’s planting calendar at almanac.com/gardening/planting-calendar/.