When to Plant Sweet Corn in Tennessee
In Tennessee, the time to sow sweet corn outside runs from Mar 23 – Apr 6 in Memphis to Apr 27 – May 11 in Greeneville. In Nashville-Davidson, it's Apr 8 – Apr 22. The average last spring frost differs by about 5 weeks across the state (Mar 16 in Memphis, Apr 20 in Greeneville), so use the dates for the town nearest you.
Sow corn in blocks rather than single rows so it pollinates well. Wait for soil around 60°F.
- Sow outside: 1–3 weeks after the last frost.
Sweet Corn planting dates in Tennessee by city
| City | Zone | Sow outside |
|---|---|---|
| Arlington | 8a | Apr 5 – Apr 19 |
| Bartlett | 8a | Apr 5 – Apr 19 |
| Brentwood | 7b | Apr 22 – May 6 |
| Bristol | 7a | Apr 23 – May 7 |
| Chattanooga | 8a | Mar 31 – Apr 14 |
| Clarksville | 7b | Apr 10 – Apr 24 |
| Cleveland | 7b | Apr 13 – Apr 27 |
| Collierville | 8a | Apr 5 – Apr 19 |
| Columbia | 7b | Apr 17 – May 1 |
| Cookeville | 7a | Apr 21 – May 5 |
| Dickson | 7b | Apr 20 – May 4 |
| Dyersburg | 7b | Apr 4 – Apr 18 |
| East Ridge | 8a | Mar 31 – Apr 14 |
| Farragut | 7b | Apr 12 – Apr 26 |
| Franklin | 7b | Apr 10 – Apr 24 |
| Gallatin | 7b | Apr 23 – May 7 |
| Germantown | 8a | Mar 29 – Apr 12 |
| Greeneville | 7a | Apr 27 – May 11 |
| Hendersonville | 7b | Apr 18 – May 2 |
| Jackson | 7b | Apr 9 – Apr 23 |
| Johnson City | 7b | Apr 26 – May 10 |
| Kingsport | 7b | Apr 16 – Apr 30 |
| Knoxville | 7b | Apr 18 – May 2 |
| La Vergne | 7b | Apr 20 – May 4 |
| Lebanon | 7b | Apr 13 – Apr 27 |
| Maryville | 7b | Apr 8 – Apr 22 |
| Memphis | 8a | Mar 23 – Apr 6 |
| Morristown | 7b | Apr 17 – May 1 |
| Mount Juliet | 7b | Apr 8 – Apr 22 |
| Murfreesboro | 7b | Apr 16 – Apr 30 |
| Nashville-Davidson | 7b | Apr 8 – Apr 22 |
| Nolensville | 7b | Apr 22 – May 6 |
| Oak Ridge | 7b | Apr 12 – Apr 26 |
| Sevierville | 7b | Apr 13 – Apr 27 |
| Shelbyville | 7b | Apr 14 – Apr 28 |
| Smyrna | 7b | Apr 20 – May 4 |
| Spring Hill | 7b | Apr 10 – Apr 24 |
| Springfield | 7a | Apr 16 – Apr 30 |
| Tullahoma | 7b | Apr 13 – Apr 27 |
| White House | 7a | Apr 14 – Apr 28 |
Calculated from each town's average (50%) frost dates, from the nearest NOAA station (1991–2020). Typical dates for the 2027 planting season, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 averages. They are long-term odds, not a forecast: always check your local forecast before planting. Zones: 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (USDA-ARS and Oregon State University). Not the official map; see planthardiness.ars.usda.gov.
See all frost dates in Tennessee, or the general guide to when to plant sweet corn.
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