When to plant strawberries in Memphis, Tennessee
February 19 – March 5
Transplant outdoors · typical Memphis yearClimate basis: NOAA station W Memphis, AR (USC00037712), 7 mi (12 km) from downtown Memphis (ZCTA 38103 centroid), elevation 215 ft, on the 1991–2020 climate normals. Plant dormant strawberry crowns from approximately the dates above, anchored to the median last spring 32°F freeze (March 19). One year in ten still freezes after April 7.
The Memphis year
- indoors under lights
- in the garden
- frost-free season
- 1-in-10 years still freeze to Apr 7
Every method, with its sources
Transplant outdoors
Feb 19 – Mar 5NC State: plant 1-year-old dormant plants about three or four weeks before the average last frost. Utah State: dormant bare-root plants need not wait for frost danger to pass. Span extended to 14 days. Anchored to the median last spring freeze (Mar 19). N.C. Cooperative Extension (NC State Extension, Macon County) · Utah State University Extension
Start seeds indoors
Not calculatedThe cited extension guides do not time an indoor seed-starting window for this crop.
Direct-sow outdoors
Not calculatedGarden strawberries are planted as crowns/plants, not seed.
Fall planting
Not calculatedNo source-backed fall planting rule exists for this crop in the registry, so no fall window is calculated.
Variety assumption: June-bearing beds fruit the year AFTER planting (blossoms are usually removed the first season).
These windows describe typical years (1991–2020 climate normals), not this year's forecast. Freezes happen outside them — especially in frost pockets, valleys, and urban edges. Watch the forecast before committing tender plants.
Crop rule sources (2)
- N.C. Cooperative Extension (NC State Extension, Macon County): Starting Your Strawberry Patch (accessed 2026-07-24)"Plant 1-year old dormant plants about three or four weeks (mid-April) before the average date of the last frost."
- Utah State University Extension: How to Grow Strawberries in Your Garden (accessed 2026-07-24)"Bare root dormant plants are transplanted in early spring. Since the plants are dormant, there is no need to wait until after the risk of spring frost has passed."