Can you plant tomatoes in early April? Technically, yes—but in Middle Tennessee, it’s usually better to wait. Even when the weather feels warm, soil temperatures may still be too cool, and we’re often not fully past the risk of frost. Early planting can lead to slow growth and stressed plants, while tomatoes planted just a couple weeks later often catch up quickly and perform better. Plus, your spring garden is still producing—why rush it out? If you’re feeling eager, you’re not alone. But a little patience now can lead to stronger plants and a more abundant harvest later.

The basics on saving seeds from garden plants and a few projects to get you started.

What to plant, harvest, and tend in your late-October garden.

What to plant, harvest, and tend in your Early-October garden.

What to plant, harvest, and tend in your late-September garden.

What to plant, harvest, and tend in your Mid-September garden.

What to plant, harvest, and tend in your early September garden.

Mid-August in Middle Tennessee is the perfect time to savor the summer harvest, refresh your garden, and gear up for fall planting. From picking peak-season produce to tackling pests and planning for cooler weather crops, this to-do list will keep your garden thriving through the late-summer heat.

What to plant, harvest, and tend in your early August garden.

Still waiting on ripe tomatoes? You’re not alone. In this post, we explain why your plants might be slow to produce, when peak tomato season really hits in Middle Tennessee, and how factors like variety, weather, and planting dates affect your harvest. Plus, we make the case (again!) for keeping garden records — and share a few delicious ideas for using green tomatoes in the meantime.

What to plant, harvest, and tend in your Late-July garden.

What to plant, harvest, and tend in your early July garden.

What to plant, harvest, and tend in your late June garden.

What to harvest, plant, and tend in your early June garden.

What to plant, harvest, and tend in your mid-October garden.

The tomato plants were doing great and now they are just sticks! What happened?

The Great Tomato Sucker Debate! Here’s why we can’t take a side….