When to plant pepper in Tennessee
Tennessee spans USDA zones 7a–8a, so the right time to plant pepper shifts by weeks across the state. The window to transplant seedlings outdoors runs from about March 30 in Memphis to May 6 in Halls — below are local dates for 67 cities, each computed from its own frost dates.
| City | Zone | Last frost | First frost | Transplant out |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nashville-Davidson | 7b | April 1 | October 31 | April 15 – April 22 |
| Memphis | 8a | March 16 | November 16 | March 30 – April 6 |
| Knoxville | 7b | April 11 | October 28 | April 25 – May 2 |
| Chattanooga | 8a | March 24 | November 9 | April 7 – April 14 |
| Clarksville | 7b | April 3 | November 1 | April 17 – April 24 |
| Murfreesboro | 7b | April 9 | October 27 | April 23 – April 30 |
| Franklin | 7b | April 3 | October 31 | April 17 – April 24 |
| Johnson City | 7b | April 19 | October 24 | May 3 – May 10 |
Pepper in Tennessee: FAQ
When can I plant pepper in Tennessee?
Across Tennessee, the time to transplant pepper spans roughly March 30 in Memphis to May 6 in Halls, each following that city's local frost dates.
Does the pepper planting date vary across Tennessee?
Yes. Tennessee publishes 67 cities with their own frost dates, so the right pepper planting window shifts by weeks between the warmest and coldest parts of the state — use your city's page for the exact dates.
How long does pepper take to grow in Tennessee?
Pepper takes about 60–90 days to reach harvest once planted — check that this fits inside your city's frost-free season on its place page.
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