What to plant this week in Knoxville, TN
With the last average frost date in Knoxville just a week away around March 28, your spring planting window is officially opening for hardy warm-season crops. This week marks the perfect time to push those Bush Beans and Zucchini seeds into the soil while keeping an eye on late-season garlic harvests.
The next 7 days
Knoxville, TNGrowing in Knoxville right now
- Knoxville's clay-heavy river valley soils retain moisture well but require amendment with compost to prevent compaction during these wet spring weeks.
- Expect frequent rain showers typical of Eastern Tennessee; ensure seed drills aren't waterlogged before sowing Bush Beans and Zucchini.
- While the zone allows for early starts, keep frost protection on delicate transplants like Sweet Potato slips until after March 28 is safely passed.
- Take advantage of the mild spring temperatures to start harvesting your first Garlic scapes or finishing bulbs if they are ready.
Sow this week
4 crops- Bush Bean
- French Marigold
- Yellow Summer Squash
- Zucchini
Transplant this week
Nothing is due to go out this week.
Harvest soon
37 crops- Basil
- Borage
- Bush Bean
- Cantaloupe
- Cleome (Spider Flower)
- Cosmos
- Cowpea (Black-Eyed Pea)
- Cucumber
- Edamame
- Fennel
- Flour Corn
- French Marigold
- Garden Verbena
- Garlic
- Gourd (Ornamental/Bottle)
- Honeydew Melon
- Lima Bean
- Loofah (Luffa)
- Malabar Spinach
- Nasturtium
- Okra
- Pole Bean
- Pumpkin
- Roselle (Cranberry Hibiscus)
- Scarlet Runner Bean
- Shiso (Japanese Basil)
- Summer Savory
- Sunflower
- Sweet Corn
- Sweet Potato
- Thai Basil
- Vinca (Madagascar Periwinkle)
- Watermelon
- Winter Squash
- Yellow Summer Squash
- Zinnia
- Zucchini
Seasonal tips
- Start succession sowing with Pole Beans or Peas every two weeks for a continuous supply of fresh pods.
- Pinch back the tops of Basil to encourage bushier growth before the heat sets in.
- Apply a light layer of compost around harvested crops to replenish soil nutrients.
Pest & disease watch
- Watch for early season aphids on newly sprouting French Marigolds and Nasturtiums as temperatures warm up above 50°F.
- Monitor for cutworms damaging young Zucchini stems, especially after heavy rains wash them into low-lying areas.
- Keep an eye out for slugs feeding on tender leaves of Malabar Spinach and Okra during the frequent Knoxville spring showers.
Watering this week
Provide about 1 to 2 inches of water per week, ensuring deep watering during hot afternoons.
Harvest Basil in the morning when essential oils are most concentrated for peak flavor.
Knoxville gardening questions
3When exactly should I stop covering my seedlings in Knoxville before moving them outside?
You can safely uncover hardy starts like French Marigolds once the threat of a freeze below 28°F has passed, which typically aligns with our March 28 average frost date.
Is it too early to plant Sweet Potato slips this week in East Tennessee?
Not yet; wait until after April 1 when soil temperatures consistently stay above 60°F to prevent rotting roots in Knoxville's clay soils.
How do I know if my Garlic is ready to harvest soon?
Look for the lower leaves turning brown and drying out while the top foliage remains green; this usually signals readiness a few weeks before our first frost on November 15.
Other cities in zone 7b
12See the full zone 7b guide → · Plan your Knoxville garden in SproutGuide →