What to plant this week in Nashville, TN
With the last frost in Nashville officially behind us this week, your garden is ready to explode with summer growth. While Zone 7b warmth allows you to sow beans and squash directly into the soil now, keep a close eye on the lingering chill of early March that can still snap tender seedlings.
The next 7 days
Nashville, TNGrowing in Nashville right now
- Nashville's notorious clay-heavy soils drain slowly in heavy rains; mix in compost or use raised beds for your new squash plantings to prevent root rot.
- The city's heat island effect warms backyards faster than surrounding hills, meaning your okra and zucchini will bolt quickly—plant them now but don't delay cover crops.
- Spring clay compaction is common here; break up the soil crust gently before sowing bush beans or French marigolds to ensure rapid germination.
- Rainfall often peaks in late spring thunderstorms; water deeply in the morning rather than leaving evening moisture on leaves to avoid fungal issues.
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
- Spider mites are waking up on leafy greens and beans as humidity drops from recent rains; inspect undersides of leaves daily.
- Aphid colonies are rebuilding on new growth of sweet corn and sunflowers, threatening pollination before the flowers open.
- Slugs thrive in Nashville's humid pockets after spring showers; apply copper tape or beer traps around young tomato transplants if you have them nearby.
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.
Nashville gardening questions
3Can I start my basil seeds indoors now for a head start?
Yes, but since transplanting isn't listed as an option this week and Nashville soil is ready, it is often better to sow basil directly outdoors after the last frost date of March 28 to avoid shock. If you do seed-start indoors, harden them off slowly before moving them into your clay-rich garden beds.
When should I expect my watermelon and cantaloupe plants to start flowering?
Given that you can harvest these soon in late summer, they should begin blooming within the next two weeks as temperatures consistently stay above 70°F. Keep watering deeply since Nashville's clay soil holds moisture well but needs consistent hydration during fruit set.
Is it safe to plant garlic now for a winter crop?
Yes, garlic is listed for immediate harvest soon because it was likely planted in the fall and will mature quickly this week, though new planting would be too late for this cycle. If you meant spring garlic, wait until after the frost date passes to ensure proper root establishment before any significant heat arrives.
Other cities in zone 7b
12See the full zone 7b guide → · Plan your Nashville garden in SproutGuide →