FrostCal

When to Plant Peppers in Tennessee

In a typical Tennessee location, start seeds indoors Jan 26 – Feb 9, then transplant outdoors Apr 13 – Apr 27. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Mar 23 in New South Memphis and as late as Apr 28 in Bristol.

Method Start indoors, then transplant
Days to maturity 60–90 days

Slow to germinate; start indoors 8-10 weeks before last frost. Transplant only once nights stay above 55F, 1-3 weeks after last frost.

Peppers Planting Dates by City

CityStart indoorsTransplant
NashvilleJan 21 – Feb 4Apr 8 – Apr 22
New South MemphisJan 5 – Jan 19Mar 23 – Apr 6
MemphisJan 5 – Jan 19Mar 23 – Apr 6
KnoxvilleJan 31 – Feb 14Apr 18 – May 2
ChattanoogaJan 13 – Jan 27Mar 31 – Apr 14
ClarksvilleJan 23 – Feb 6Apr 10 – Apr 24
MurfreesboroJan 29 – Feb 12Apr 16 – Apr 30
East ChattanoogaJan 13 – Jan 27Mar 31 – Apr 14
FranklinJan 23 – Feb 6Apr 10 – Apr 24
CordovaJan 18 – Feb 1Apr 5 – Apr 19
JacksonJan 22 – Feb 5Apr 9 – Apr 23
Johnson CityFeb 8 – Feb 22Apr 26 – May 10
BartlettJan 18 – Feb 1Apr 5 – Apr 19
HendersonvilleJan 31 – Feb 14Apr 18 – May 2
KingsportJan 29 – Feb 12Apr 16 – Apr 30
ColliervilleJan 18 – Feb 1Apr 5 – Apr 19
SmyrnaFeb 2 – Feb 16Apr 20 – May 4
ClevelandJan 26 – Feb 9Apr 13 – Apr 27
BrentwoodFeb 4 – Feb 18Apr 22 – May 6
GermantownJan 18 – Feb 1Apr 5 – Apr 19
HermitageJan 21 – Feb 4Apr 8 – Apr 22
ColumbiaJan 30 – Feb 13Apr 17 – May 1
Spring HillJan 23 – Feb 6Apr 10 – Apr 24
La VergneFeb 2 – Feb 16Apr 20 – May 4
GallatinFeb 5 – Feb 19Apr 23 – May 7
CookevilleFeb 3 – Feb 17Apr 21 – May 5
Mount JulietJan 21 – Feb 4Apr 8 – Apr 22
LebanonJan 26 – Feb 9Apr 13 – Apr 27
MorristownJan 30 – Feb 13Apr 17 – May 1
Oak RidgeJan 25 – Feb 8Apr 12 – Apr 26

Showing the 30 most populous of 70 Tennessee cities. Dates are estimates from each city's NOAA frost normals and university extension timing guidelines. See all Tennessee cities.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant peppers in Tennessee?

In a typical Tennessee location, start seeds indoors Jan 26 – Feb 9, then transplant outdoors Apr 13 – Apr 27. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Mar 23 in New South Memphis and as late as Apr 28 in Bristol.

When is the last frost in Tennessee?

The average last spring frost in Tennessee ranges from March 16 in New South Memphis to April 21 in Bristol, based on NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals.

How long do peppers take to grow?

Peppers typically take 60–90 days from planting to harvest. Slow to germinate; start indoors 8-10 weeks before last frost. Transplant only once nights stay above 55F, 1-3 weeks after last frost.

Other Crops in Tennessee

When to plant peppers in other states

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