Planting calendar
March Planting Guide for Nashville, TN: Raised Beds, Containers & In-Ground Gardens
March is an ideal month in Nashville to start planting cool-season vegetables and herbs in raised beds, containers, and in-ground gardens. You can directly sow hardy crops outdoors and begin warm-season plants indoors to get a head start on spring. Focus on preparing soil and timing your plantings to avoid late frost risks.
Plant now (quick list)
lettuce, spinach, kale, radishes, peas, carrots, onions (sets or seedlings), potatoes
Plant now
- lettuce
- spinach
- kale
- radishes
- peas
- carrots
- onions (sets or seedlings)
- potatoes
- broccoli (transplants)
- cabbage (transplants)
Start indoors
- tomatoes
- peppers
- eggplants
- basil
- marigolds
- zinnias
- cucumbers
- melons
- pumpkins
- squash
Avoid
- beans (wait until soil warms)
- corn (wait until late March or April)
- sweet potatoes
- cucumbers (direct sow after frost risk)
- tomatoes (do not plant outdoors yet)
- peppers (do not plant outdoors yet)
- eggplants (do not plant outdoors yet)
- basil (avoid direct sow outdoors)
- melons (avoid direct sow outdoors)
- pumpkins (avoid direct sow outdoors)
Next 2 weeks
- monitor soil temperature for warm-season crops
- harden off indoor seedlings before transplanting
- prepare raised beds with compost and mulch
- start succession planting of leafy greens
- check for late frost forecasts and protect young plants
- thin seedlings to avoid overcrowding
- water consistently but avoid waterlogging
- prune early spring perennials if needed
- apply balanced fertilizer to established plants
- clean and sterilize containers before reuse
FAQs
Can I plant tomatoes outdoors in March in Nashville?
It's best to start tomato seeds indoors in March and wait until after the last frost, typically mid-April, before transplanting outdoors.
How do I know when to plant beans outside?
Wait until the soil warms to at least 55°F, usually late March or early April in Nashville, before sowing beans outdoors.
Should I fertilize my raised beds before planting?
Yes, adding compost or a balanced fertilizer to raised beds in early March helps improve soil fertility for spring crops.
How can I protect seedlings from late frosts?
Use row covers, cloches, or lightweight blankets to shield young plants during unexpected cold snaps.
Is it okay to start cucumbers indoors in March?
Yes, starting cucumbers indoors in March can give them a head start, but wait to transplant outdoors until after frost risk passes.
Next steps
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