By May, the garden has stopped being theoretical. The seed packets, soil test notes, and “I’ll get to that this weekend” plans have officially met real weather, real weeds, real bugs, and real hungry gardeners. This is the month when cool-season crops come off at their best, warm-season crops move in for the long haul, and the gardener’s job shifts from “getting ready” to “paying attention.” The May pages of the Tennessee Home Fruit and Vegetable Garden 2026 Calendar focus on

April is one of those transition months that can make a gardener feel very productive very quickly. The cool-season crops you seeded or transplanted earlier should be filling in, some of the earliest leafy greens and root crops may be ready to harvest, and the garden starts to pivot toward warm-season planting. According to the Tennessee Home Fruit and Vegetable Garden Calendar, April is the month to wrap up site preparation, finish direct seeding and transplanting cool-seaso

March is the month when Tennessee gardens truly begin to awaken. While winter may still linger in cooler regions of the state, soil temperatures begin to rise, daylight stretches longer, and gardeners can shift from planning to purposeful action. As always, adapt timing to your local frost-free date and soil conditions, since Tennessee’s growing seasons vary by region. Below are research-based tasks drawn from the Tennessee Home Fruit and Vegetable Garden Calendar (W436) and

February can feel like a tease—sunny one day, sleet the next—but it’s secretly one of the most productive months for setting up a strong spring. Think of it as “prep season” for fruit, transplants, and early beds… without the mosquitoes. February Garden Checklist Prune fruit while plants are dormant. Late winter is prime time for dormant pruning on many fruit crops. Prune to improve structure and airflow, and remove any diseased wood as you go. If you grow berries, February i

Master Gardener Monthly • December December may feel like your garden’s nap time—but that doesn’t mean you have to be dormant. With nature chilling (literally), you’ve got the perfect window to evaluate, plan, tidy, dream, and even add a splash of color to your beds and borders. With help from UT and TSU Extension resources, you can use this quieter season to make thoughtful choices that support pollinators, protect water quality, and create a healthier landscape all year lon

January may be cold, damp, and a little… gray —but it’s secretly one of the best months to set up a winning gardening season. While the landscape is mostly resting, you can tackle the behind-the-scenes tasks that pay off big once spring shows up (usually when you’re not quite ready). With help from UT and TSU Extension resources (plus a few other trusted southern Extension calendars), January is your moment to get organized, get ahead, and make a few strategic moves—like orde