FrostCal

When to Plant Tomatoes in Tennessee

In a typical Tennessee location, start seeds indoors Feb 9 – Feb 23, then transplant outdoors Apr 13 – Apr 20. 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 60–85 days

Start indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost; transplant out 1-2 weeks after last frost once soil has warmed.

Tomatoes Planting Dates by City

CityStart indoorsTransplant
NashvilleFeb 4 – Feb 18Apr 8 – Apr 15
New South MemphisJan 19 – Feb 2Mar 23 – Mar 30
MemphisJan 19 – Feb 2Mar 23 – Mar 30
KnoxvilleFeb 14 – Feb 28Apr 18 – Apr 25
ChattanoogaJan 27 – Feb 10Mar 31 – Apr 7
ClarksvilleFeb 6 – Feb 20Apr 10 – Apr 17
MurfreesboroFeb 12 – Feb 26Apr 16 – Apr 23
East ChattanoogaJan 27 – Feb 10Mar 31 – Apr 7
FranklinFeb 6 – Feb 20Apr 10 – Apr 17
CordovaFeb 1 – Feb 15Apr 5 – Apr 12
JacksonFeb 5 – Feb 19Apr 9 – Apr 16
Johnson CityFeb 22 – Mar 8Apr 26 – May 3
BartlettFeb 1 – Feb 15Apr 5 – Apr 12
HendersonvilleFeb 14 – Feb 28Apr 18 – Apr 25
KingsportFeb 12 – Feb 26Apr 16 – Apr 23
ColliervilleFeb 1 – Feb 15Apr 5 – Apr 12
SmyrnaFeb 16 – Mar 2Apr 20 – Apr 27
ClevelandFeb 9 – Feb 23Apr 13 – Apr 20
BrentwoodFeb 18 – Mar 4Apr 22 – Apr 29
GermantownFeb 1 – Feb 15Apr 5 – Apr 12
HermitageFeb 4 – Feb 18Apr 8 – Apr 15
ColumbiaFeb 13 – Feb 27Apr 17 – Apr 24
Spring HillFeb 6 – Feb 20Apr 10 – Apr 17
La VergneFeb 16 – Mar 2Apr 20 – Apr 27
GallatinFeb 19 – Mar 5Apr 23 – Apr 30
CookevilleFeb 17 – Mar 3Apr 21 – Apr 28
Mount JulietFeb 4 – Feb 18Apr 8 – Apr 15
LebanonFeb 9 – Feb 23Apr 13 – Apr 20
MorristownFeb 13 – Feb 27Apr 17 – Apr 24
Oak RidgeFeb 8 – Feb 22Apr 12 – Apr 19

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 tomatoes in Tennessee?

In a typical Tennessee location, start seeds indoors Feb 9 – Feb 23, then transplant outdoors Apr 13 – Apr 20. 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 tomatoes take to grow?

Tomatoes typically take 60–85 days from planting to harvest. Start indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost; transplant out 1-2 weeks after last frost once soil has warmed.

Other Crops in Tennessee

When to plant tomatoes in other states

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