RUTHERFORD COUNTY, TN - Thinking about planting a garden when Spring comes around? Now is the time to start planning ahead, according to Master Gardner Beth Brinkley… Sketching your garden on graph paper is a tried and true method for planning ahead, or download a variety of gardening apps for free to better plan your future garden.
Rutherford County is located in a USDA Hardiness Zone of 7b which means winter temperatures typically fall between 5°F and 10°F, which is slightly warmer than the older Zone 7a classification. This shift gives gardeners more flexibility, especially when choosing perennial plants. Plants that once struggled in colder winters, such as gardenias, now have a better chance of surviving year after year. Gardeners can also expect summer-loving plants to perform more reliably.
For gardeners, Zone 7b means that most plants labeled for this zone—or colder zones—should survive the winter with little protection. While planting schedules for vegetables remain mostly the same, the warmer conditions can allow for a slightly longer growing season in both spring and fall.
If you come across a plant you like but aren’t sure what it is, there’s no need to worry. Learning the names and types of plants is easier than ever thanks to today’s technology. Master Gardener Carol Wood says there are several mobile apps available that can help identify flowers, vegetables, fruits, shrubs, and trees. However, if you’d rather not download another app, she notes that using Google’s picture search can be just as effective for identifying plants.… Simply point your phone’s camera at the plant, take a photo, and search the image. You may be surprised by how accurate and helpful the identification results can be.
To make the most of Zone 7b, gardeners should check plant tags carefully, rely on local nurseries for region-appropriate selections, and pay attention to microclimates around their property, such as areas near buildings that may stay warmer than the rest of the yard.
A gardening basics class is scheduled for February at the Rutherford County UT/TSU Agriculture Extension Office in Murfreesboro. The four-week program is designed to help new gardeners learn how to handle common challenges and build foundational skills. The class will run from February 19 through March 12, 2026. For more information, email Baileigh Snow at bsnow6@utk.edu.
For excellent guidance on what types of vegetables, flowers, or trees to plant—and where to plant them—the Rutherford County UT/TSU Agriculture Extension Agency is a reliable local resource. The office is located at 315 John R. Rice Blvd. in Murfreesboro, and staff can also be reached by phone at 615-898-7710.(Click Here for Website).
Don't forget, Santa will be at the Lane Agri Park for the Winter/Spring Farmers Market THIS Friday from 8 AM to 10:30 AM. The Winter/Spring Farmers Market takes place every Friday from 8 to Noon.
