It’s time to get your garden ready, Nashville! Here’s your guide to spring planting, plus the best outdoor gardening centers and nurseries in Nashville. Happy planting!
Starting Your Spring Garden
Alternating folklore says you can plant after Tax Day or Mother’s Day. I’ve heard it both ways, but the main rule of thumb is to plant after the last frost, generally in April. If there’s a late spring frost, cover those plants with sheets or a tarp. Make sure your cover isn’t touching the plants!
When choosing where to plant, consider how much sun a plant needs and when plants bloom, so you can always have something flowering no matter the time of year. Nashville is in the USDA hardiness zones 7a and 7b, meaning we have a long growing season, and many plants can flourish here. However, planting native species is beneficial for the environment and local wildlife, and they’re easier to take care of.
Nashville-Area Outdoor Plant Centers and Nurseries
These locally-owned outdoor centers and nurseries will have everything you need to start a garden or pollinator-friendly bed in Nashville. If you have any gardening questions, just ask!
📍 Whites Creek
Bates has been around since 1932! It’s a giant nursery that can easily be your one-stop shop. Make sure to grab a wagon; you’re gonna need it!
📍 Kingston Springs
This is my primary place for plant shopping. Smaller than Bates, it focuses on native plants. While there, stop by the store for some unique local crafts, and grab a bite at The Yorkshire Deli.
📍 Donelson
This family-owned nursery has a large garden center, and offers landscaping and water feature installation.
📍Nashville Farmers’ Market
This garden center inside the Nashville Farmers’ Market has 27,000 square feet of plants.
📍 Belle Meade
This cute garden center right across from the Belle Meade Plaza has been around for decades, and has a knowledgeable staff.
📍 Belle Meade
This is another lovely garden center with a great, curated selection of outdoor plants, knowledgeable staff, and cute store.
📍 Bellevue
Open since 1980, this garden center has a great selection of natives, and the friendly staff are always willing to help.
