Tennessee · zones 7a–8a
When to plant tomatoes in Tennessee.
Sow or transplant between Apr 15 to Jun 15 in a typical year, keyed to Tennessee's median last frost around Apr 8. Dates below are state medians; your ZIP code shifts them by days to weeks.
The 2026 windows
Tomatoes dates for a typical Tennessee season.
1 · Start indoors
Mar 4 to May 4
About 6 weeks before set-out. Warm spot, real light.
2 · Set out
Apr 15 to Jun 15
Keyed to the ~Apr 8 last frost. Sow 0.25" deep, 24" apart.
Harvest
~73 days later
~12 lb per plant over ~8 weeks.
Tennessee spans more than one climate: Zone 7 is the most common zone, but the state runs 7a to 8a. That's why the planner works from your ZIP code's frost dates, not your zone — mountain and coastal gardens in the same state can be three weeks apart.