What zone is Tennessee for plants you may be wondering – the zones involved are not as wide as other states – only going from 5 to 8. Plants are diverse and need different soil variations and environments to grow, and you need to know the suitable flora for a thriving yard for your zone.Plants in Tennessee

This article will answer everything you need to know about the zone in Tennessee.

What Is the Hardiness Zone for Plants in Tennessee?

The hardiness zone for plants in Tennessee falls between zones 5 and 8. Tennessee’s growing zones are not as diverse as those in other states. It is primarily a subtropical state influenced by gulf humidity. Tennessee has some mountainous areas, but mostly has hot, humid summers and mild, cool winters.

Tennessee’s growing zones range from 5b to 8a. You can determine your hardiness zone by using a variety of online maps. Frost dates determine these planting zones, but fortunately, Tennessee experiences little frost outside the mountains.

Plant hardiness refers to a plant’s ability to survive in harsh environments such as flooding, drought, cold, and heat. Estimating a plant’s hardiness is a difficult science. The plant’s genetics play a large role in how well it will withstand the elements, but many plants have a lot of adaptations beyond their genetic composition. Different plant parts can be hardy in differing ways.

Most plants require specific growing conditions to thrive, but some may surprise you. You can control moisture levels, sunlight, and soil type, but the temperature is more complicated, so choose appropriate plants for your growing zone.

Fortunately, the ratings are simple to comprehend. Tropical fruit trees cannot be planted in USDA hardiness zones if you live in a very cold hardy climate. The hardiness ratings can help you narrow down your options. Remember that a plant will thrive in that zone and any higher zone when considering a specific zone.

– Hardiness Zone 5

Hardiness Zone 5 encompasses the North Central United States, parts of New England, North Carolina and Alaska’s southern coast. Only a small portion of Tennessee is in this growing zone, in the mountains in the state’s east.

On average, minimum temperatures range between -10 and -20 degrees Fahrenheit, resulting in moderately cold winters. The growing season in this area is short, but you can plant indoors or use cold frames. Plants must be cold and hardy and match the growing environment because Zone 5 includes diverse environments, such as woodlands, coastal waters, and wide plains. Plants that thrive in a coastal Zone 5 differ from those that thrive in a Midwestern state.

Warming the soil with raised beds or row covers will allow for a longer growing season. Carrots, potatoes, snap peas, turnips, lettuce, radishes, and parsnips etc. are all excellent options.

Fruit trees such as the Honeycrisp apple, Pink Lady apple, Harrow Delight pear, Native Pawpaw trees, Snow Beauty peach, Warren pear, and Superior plum can also be planted. Herbs such as hybrid mints and lavender will be extremely beneficial.

– Hardiness Zone 6

This climate zone covers many of the United States, including northern Tennessee and the mountains. On average, minimum temperatures range between 0 and -10 degrees. This zone has cold winters and mild to hot summers. This zone is ideal for landscaping and gardening. Blooms can be obtained in three seasons, and vegetables such as butter lettuce, bush beans, winter squash, longer-season melons, and indeterminate tomatoes can be grown.

Peach trees thrive in Zone 6, so you can experiment with varieties such as Loring, Late Crawford, Jefferson, Madison, Red Globe, and Nectar. Herbs are also popular and will self-seed, thanks to the warm springs. Dill, oregano, false chamomile, coriander, or borage are all good options.

Flowers bloom for months during the spring, summer, and fall seasons. Cold-hardy varieties such as snapdragons and pansies can be used, or you can extend the growing season with Japanese Bottlebrush, False Sunflower, Sedum, Lady’s Mantle, Flowering Fern, and Floribunda Rose.

– Hardiness Zone 7

Zone 7 is Tennessee’s largest, encompassing 15 different states. Winters are light, with average temperatures ranging from 0 to 10 degrees. This zone has numerous climates because it extends from the east coast to the Midwest plains and into the forests of Washington, South Dakota, and Oregon. Consider other factors, such as drought tolerance, when planting.Contender Peach Tree

While long hot summers and mild winters provide ideal growing conditions for nearly all kinds of vegetables, younger vegetables must be protected from frost and cold snaps in early spring. Artichoke is an annual vegetable that grows in Zone 4 but becomes a perennial in Zone 7. Sweet peppers, hot peppers, arugula, turnips, and other long-growing season vegetables can also be grown.

Bing cherry, Contender peach, Cortland apple, Granny Smith apple, Ozark plum, Parker pear, Scout apricot, Stella cherry, Turkey fig, and many Mulberry, Elderberry, and Pawpaw trees thrive in this region. Most annual herbs will thrive in Zone 7.

– Hardiness Zone 8

Zone 8 can be found in pockets near Tennessee’s southern border. Winter temperatures drop to 10-20 degrees, and summers are hot and humid. Plants that grow here have varying sunlight and moisture levels, so it’s critical to narrow your selection based on climate.

Lettuce, peas, and spinach are cool-weather vegetables that grow in the spring and fall. Field peas, hot peppers, okra, cantaloupe, watermelon, and tomatoes will thrive in the summer heat.

Fruit trees that thrive in this climate include the Abaca banana, Anna apple, Alma fig, Bronze banana, Bryan apricot, Darjeeling banana, Clementine tangerine, Jujube, Gala apple, Marsh grapefruit, Meyer lemon, Kumquat, Limequat, Montmorency cherry, Ruby grapefruit, peaches, plums, and Washington orange.

Herbs native to the Mediterranean thrive in hot weather and are drought-tolerant. Marjoram, Bay Laurel, Rosemary, Sage, and Mexican Oregano are all good choices. Flowers that can withstand summer heat include Asiatic lily, lantana, hardy geranium, phlox, and Mexican petunia.

What Are Some Specific Cities Within Tennessee?

Some specific cities and their zones within Tennessee are Knoxville, Chattanooga, Franklin, Nashville, Sevierville and Johnson City. Middle Tennessee has a rating of 7a on the hardiness zone map. Each area has its own specific plants to grow even though they all fall in Tennessee.Trees Found in the City of Franklin

– What Zone Is Knoxville, TN for Planting and Types of Plants?

The Knoxville area is currently classified as Zone 7a by the USDA for planting and types of plants. In Knoxville, you may grow lettuce, radishes, kale, and collards in spring. Crops such as broccoli, cabbage, kale, collards, lettuce, spinach, and turnips are excellent choices in the fall.

– What Planting Zone Is Chattanooga, TN and What Are Its Characteristics?

Chattanooga, Tennessee is located in zone 7b. Its characteristics are that in the cooler zones, it rarely gets hot enough to cause concern about the highs. In contrast, in warm areas, it rarely gets cold enough to be concerned about lows.

– What Planting Zone Is Franklin, Tennessee? What Veggies to Plant

Franklin, Tennessee, is classified as USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. Some veggies to plant are beans, corn, squashes, pumpkins, cucumbers, cantaloupe, and watermelons. Sensitive heat-loving plants like tomatoes, bell peppers, eggplants and jalapeno peppers take a long time to mature and have a long harvesting period.

– What Zone Is Nashville TN for Planting and What Vegetables Grow Here?

Nashville in Tennessee are planted in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a and vegetables that grow there include lettuce, onions, potatoes, certain peas, and asparagus. They can withstand the lower spring weather in this area. There are plenty of additional options available to you.

– What Planting Zone Is Sevierville, TN? Best Crops To Grow There

Planting Zone 7a applies to Sevierville, Tennessee and the best crops to grow there are lettuce, radishes, kale, and collards in spring and fall. Crops such as broccoli, cabbage, kale, collards, lettuce, spinach, and turnips are excellent choices in the fall. Frost kills warm-season crops because they prefer warmer conditions.Best Crops To Grow in Sevierville

– What Planting Zone Is Johnson City, TN? When to Plant Vegetables Here

Johnson City, Tennessee has hardiness Zones 6b and 7a applied to it. The time to plant vegetables here is between April 18 and concludes on October 20 – 185 days. In this USDA zone this is the optimum time to start planting your vegetables.

– What Planting Zone Is Middle Tennessee and Which Perennials To Grow?

The planting zone for middle Tennessee is classified as Zone 7a. The top candidates of perennials you can grow here are sedums, New England aster, Lamb’s ear, Byzantine gladiolus, and Spiney Bear’s Breeches. The temperature fluctuations are perfect for these plants.Perennials To Grow in Middle Tennessee

Conclusion

Therefore, we can see that Tennessee has fewer growing zones than other states, and it is primarily a subtropical state influenced by gulf humidity.

  • Tennessee has some mountainous areas, but most of the year is hot and humid, with mild to cool winters.
  • The growing zones in Tennessee range from 5b to 8a.
  • Using a variety of online zone maps, you can determine your hardiness zone, which will help you determine which plants and flowers will thrive in your area.
  • Frost dates determine these planting zones, but fortunately, Tennessee experiences little frost outside of the mountains.

With this knowledge, grow your Tennessee home with the most suitable candidates and have a yard that thrives with greenery.

5/5 - (19 votes)
Evergreen Seeds
Latest posts by Evergreen Seeds (see all)

RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR