When should I plant lettuce in ZIP 37203?

In ZIP 37203, the main lettuce target is around Mar 27, based on the representative Nashville frost station and USDA zone 7b.

When should I start lettuce seeds indoors in 37203?

Start lettuce seeds indoors in ZIP 37203 around Mar 13, about 28 days before the Apr 10 last-frost estimate.

Is this a guaranteed planting date?

No. GrowZone uses frost-date estimates, hardiness zones, and crop timing rules for planning. Local microclimates and current weather can shift the right date.

ZIP 37203 planting calendar

When to plant lettuce in Nashville, TN - Zone 7b

Q: When is the first frost in Nashville?

Nashville (ZIP 37203) has an average first fall frost around Oct 25, leaving about 198 frost-free days.

In ZIP 37203, plant lettuce around Mar 27; this uses the Nashville frost station, USDA zone 7b, and lettuce timing rules.

Your Nashville calendar has a 198-day estimated frost-free season. This estimate uses the representative Nashville frost station, USDA zone 7b, and lettuce timing rules.

Source: nashville-intl frost station, USDA zone 7b, last updated 2026-06-28. Verify locally before planting high-value crops because microclimates, current weather, and yard exposure can move the safe date.

USDA zone 7b Nashville frost station University of Tennessee Extension Updated 2026-06-28

Read the method

Answer first

When to start lettuce seeds indoors in Nashville

In ZIP 37203, start lettuce seeds indoors around Mar 13, about 28 days before the Apr 10 last-frost estimate.

Start lettuce seeds indoors in Nashville around Mar 13, about 28 days before the Apr 10 last-frost estimate.

Seed starting schedule

Lettuce dates for Nashville, TN

Step	Date	How to use it
Start Indoors	March 13, 2026	Start seeds under lights or in a bright indoor seed-starting space.
Transplant Outdoors	March 27, 2026	Move hardened-off seedlings outside after the frost-risk window.
Direct Sow	March 27, 2026	Sow seed outside when the crop and soil can handle the window.

Last frost

When is the last frost in Nashville?

Nashville (ZIP 37203) has an average last spring frost around Apr 10.

First frost

When is the first frost in Nashville?

The average first fall frost is around Oct 25, giving about 198 frost-free days.

Season map

Lettuce windows by month

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Start indoors

Mar 13

Direct sow

Mar 27

Transplant

Mar 27

Harvest

May 21

Frost watch

Aug 31

Reminder workflow

Every date has a next action

Start lettuce indoorsMar 13

Direct sow lettuceMar 27

Transplant lettuceMar 27

Last frost windowApr 10

First lettuce harvest windowMay 21

Last lettuce sowing targetAug 31

Signal	Value	Why it matters
Last frost estimate	April 10, 2026	Warm-season transplant risk starts falling after this window.
First frost estimate	October 25, 2026	Fall planting counts backward from this date.
Season length	198 days	Longer seasons can support succession crops.
Spacing	8-12 in	Airflow and root space affect yield.
Soil temperature	40 F+	Seeds and transplants stall in cold soil.

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Local data

Why this date changes by ZIP

Nashville frost history and USDA zone 7b shift the safe planting window. GrowZone uses a local representative station instead of one national rule.

University of Tennessee Extension is the kind of local source to verify against when a crop is expensive, weather is unusual, or your yard has a cold pocket.

Crop note

Lettuce timing notes

Succession sow every 10-14 days while weather is cool. Lettuce prefers sun to part shade, 8-12 in spacing, and soil near 40 F+.

For fall, count backward from Oct 25. A conservative last sowing target is around Aug 31.