What Does "tender vegetables" Mean? In Gardening?

The phrase "tender vegetables" or "tender plants" refers to plants that cannot tolerate temperatures below freezing.  If you plant these plants too early in the spring, they will not survive the cold nights. It is important to understand the average last frost date for your area so that you can avoid planting tender plants too early.
How do we know if a plant is tender?  Seed packets and plant tags will tell you when it is safe to plant specific plants.
Some common examples of tender vegetable plants are:  tomatoes, eggplants, peppers, basil, summer squash, winter squash (and pumpkins) and melons.
Also, some annual flowers are tender, like petunias, geraniums, impatiens and marigolds.
Watch the weather forecasts, talk to your neighbors and get to know the microclimate in your area and around your property.

Morning Glory - Tender Plant