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What Grows in Madison, TN?

Madison, Tennessee is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b.

Zone

USDA 7b

Last frost

late February

First frost

early December

Frost-free days

276
Quick Answer

Madison is in USDA Zone 7b with about 276 frost-free days.

What to plant, and when

Timing by your frost dates — last frost late February, first frost early December.

🌱 Start indoors (pre-frost)

Tomato, Cherry Tomato, Bell Pepper, Chili Pepper, Cucumber, Zucchini, Eggplant, Pumpkin

❄️ Direct-sow early (cool season)

Lettuce, Spinach, Kale, Broccoli, Carrot, Radish, Beets, Onion

☀️ Plant after last frost

Green Beans, Potato, Sweet Potato, Corn, Microgreens, Rhubarb

🍂 Plant in fall

Garlic

What grows well in Madison

USDA Zone 7b

Frequently asked questions

What hardiness zone is Madison, TN in?

Madison, TN is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b. This drives everything about what you can reliably grow — it maps directly to how cold your winters get.

When is the last frost in Madison?

The average last spring frost in Madison is around late February, and the first fall frost is typically early December. Plan to move tender plants outside after late February and have them harvested (or protected) before early December.

What grows well in Madison?

Plenty — Madison's USDA Zone 7b climate supports 30+ crops. Some of the easiest and most reliable here are Cherry Tomato, Chili Pepper, Cucumber.

How long is Madison's growing season?

Madison typically has around 276 frost-free days per year (roughly late February to early December). That's a full season — plenty of time for most annual vegetables plus a succession or fall crop of cool-season greens.

What should I plant first in Madison?

Go with fast-maturing crops to get a quick win while the season is short: Microgreens, Arugula, Radish are among the quickest from seed to harvest in Madison.

Can I grow vegetables in containers in Madison?

Yes — Madison's climate is container-friendly for the right crops. Tomato, Cherry Tomato, Bell Pepper all do well in pots, which also lets you start them a little earlier and move them in on cold nights.

When should I start seeds indoors in Madison?

For warm-season crops like Tomato, Cherry Tomato, Bell Pepper, start seeds indoors 6–8 weeks before your last frost (around late February), then transplant after the danger of frost has passed.