Congratulations on making the decision to get started planting a vegetable garden! There are several important factors you should know that will impact the success of your garden.
Know Your Zone
Knowing your hardiness zone is required to choosing plants that can survive and thrive. If you choose plants that are not hardy in your zone, you’ll end up frustrated and disappointed. Plus you would have spent money with little to no yield. East Tennessee spans several zones, including 6a, 6b, 7a, and 7b. Find out which zone you’re in.
Know Your Forecast
The weather forecast is incredibly important when you’re planting because different plants grow best at different temperatures. For example, you won’t want to plant tomatoes outside before the threat of frost has passed. On average in East Tennessee, this is around April 16. We recommend consulting planting calendars from either the National Gardening Association or the Farmer’s Almanac each year after you have determined which plants you intend to grow.
Get Started with a Plan
Planning your garden is important, and we’ve broken it down into multiple steps to help walk you through the process.
- Make a list of everything you want to plant and how much you hope to yield of each plant. This post from Willow Ridge Garden Center and Landscaping is a great to deciding what to plant. The post is geared towards a Victory Garden, but the guidance still applies.
- Decide on a space for the garden. Willow Ridge Garden Center and Landscaping also has a great post about choosing the right spot. If you’d like something a little more comprehensive, check out this guide from the UT Extension. Ideally, the space should:
- Receive at least 6 to 8 hours of bright, direct sunlight each day
- Have well-drained, fertile soil
- Have easy access to a water source for irrigation
- Be enough space for everything you intend to plant
- Be level, but that can be difficult in East Tennessee
When you’re ready to move forward with the process, visit our spring page.