As the weather starts to get warmer gardeners in zone 7A prepare their gardens for the spring season. Local garden departments place their tempting plants out in a variety of colors and buds start to burst open. Also, local gardeners share tips and there are a few events this season. Spring is officially here as of Mar. 20, 2026.
January and February may mean garden aficionados have planted seeds for cold weather crops like lettuces and broccoli. Those may be getting established and enjoyed, but with each passing month the varieties shift from greens and foliage. Soon warmer weather plants will be able to be planted and grow bigger.
Some local gardeners swear by waiting till after Tax Day or Mother’s Day for fear of frost, while others attempt to cover or mulch in colder months.
One Middle Tennessee Gardeners Facebook Group Member writes, “I always wait till Mother’s Day (for tender summer plants) – lived here over 18 years now and I’d personally rather save my effort. Found most of my May planting caught up quickly anyway.”
Such groups exist to foster the gardening community and provide local advice. Online resources can be helpful in learning to garden, particular for your region.
In recent years, chaos gardening has been trending, where people toss seeds around and see what comes up. With the humidity in Montgomery County, this approach can work, although a little work to follow planting directions may be better.
If you aren’t disappointed by a cold snap possibly setting growth back, some cheap seeds may surprise you. The backs of seed packets will tell you what zone and time to plant, as well as depth and conditions. Some local libraris run seed libraries where seeds are shared.
Also, searchable on Google, there are many gardening or plant related events planned for this season in Clarksville, such as:
- Mar. 30 at 5:30 PM – Garden Seeding Program at Fort Defiance Civil War Park and Interpretive Center
- Every second Wednesday at 6:30 PM – Native Gardens and Habitat Club at Rotary Park
- Apr. 8 at 5 PM – Wildflower Walk at Montgomery County Parks and Recreation Wade Bourne Nature Center 2308 Rotary Park Dr, Clarksville, TN 37043
- Apr. 11 at 11:30 AM – Bumble Bee Atlas Workshop at Montgomery County Parks and Recreation Wade Bourne Nature Center 2308 Rotary Park Dr, Clarksville, TN 37043
- Apr. 18 at 10 AM – Earth Day Plant Swap, Montgomery County Parks and Recreation Wade Bourne Nature Center 2308 Rotary Park Dr, Clarksville, TN 37043
- Apr. 25 at 10 AM – Natural Living Fair at the Tangelwood House, 1601 Madison St. Clarksville, TN 37043
- May 17 at 10AM-2PM- The Pollinator and Native Plant Summit at Rotary Park
- Radical Mission Jubilee Garden open for visits at 150 Richview Rd, Clarksville
Also, searchable on Google, there are many gardening or plant related events planned for this season in near Nashville, such as:
- Mar. 28 at 2PM – Planning your Tennessee Smart Yard in Nashville at Bellevue Public Library
- Mar. 28-29 – Middle Tennessee Daffodil Show in Nashville at Cheekwood Estate and Gardens
- Apr. 11 at 9 AM-1 PM – Native Plant Sale in Nashville at Cheekwood Estate and Gardens
- Apr. 11 at 12 PM – Growing Roses in Middle Tennessee in Nashville at Cheekwood Estate and Gardens
- Mar. 7 – Apr. 12 – Various events such as spring blooms and workshops in Nashville at Cheekwood Estate and Gardens
