Planting by the Signs
Using False Winters to Time Your Tennessee Garden
In Tennessee, spring doesn’t arrive all at once. It tiptoes in, interrupted by cold snaps and unpredictable weather shifts that have been observed and named by farmers and gardeners for generations.
These cold spells—known as False Winters—are more than folklore. They’re natural cues that can help you plan your planting schedule, especially when deciding when it’s safe to sow tender crops or get a jump on cool-season favorites.
So how do you garden with False Winters in mind? Let’s break it down.
Daffodil Winter
📍 Late February to early March
🌱 Best for:
Lettuce
Spinach
Kale
Arugula
Mustard greens
Tip:
When the daffodils bloom, you can start planting your cold-hardy greens. These crops can take a light frost and often grow best when started early.
Redbud Winter
📍 Late March
🌱 Add:
Peas
Radishes
Carrots
Turnips
Beets
Cabbage and broccoli transplants
Tip:
Redbuds signal the next layer of cool-season crops. You might get a cold snap, but these plants can handle it. If temps drop too low, a frost cloth or row cover will give enough protection.
Dogwood Winter
📍 Early to mid-April
🌱 Start preparing for:
Corn (toward end of Dogwood Winter)
Squash and zucchini (indoors or covered outdoors)
Potatoes
Onions
Tip:
Dogwood Winter is usually the last hard frost in many parts of Tennessee. Once it passes, you can begin planting more, but still watch the nighttime temperatures closely.
Locust Winter
📍 Mid to late April
🌱 Direct seed or transplant:
Tomatoes (with protection)
Beans
Cucumbers
Summer herbs like basil
Tip:
If you're feeling bold, you can start planting tomatoes and cucumbers now—just be ready to cover them if a surprise chill rolls in.
Blackberry Winter
📍 Early May
🌱 Go full in on:
Tomatoes
Peppers
Melons
Okra
Squash
Tip:
Blackberry blossoms mean warmer weather is settling in. After this cold snap, most warm-season crops are safe to plant in the ground without protection.
Whippoorwill & Cotton Britches Winter
📍 Mid to late May, sometimes early June
🌱 Final check-in:
Sweet potatoes
Corn (second round)
Late cucumbers for summer pickling
Flowers and heat-loving herbs
Tip:
These last cool breezes remind us that while summer is close, it’s still smart to stagger your plantings for better yield and fewer weather surprises.
Why it works
Gardening by the False Winters means paying attention to what nature is telling you. Plants, birds, insects, and even frogs are seasonal clocks—often more accurate than your 10-day weather forecast.
Whether you’re growing a backyard plot or a full homestead garden, aligning with these natural rhythms can increase success, reduce transplant shock, and help you avoid wasting seed or effort.
