FrostCal

When to Plant Watermelon in Tennessee

In a typical Tennessee location, start seeds indoors Mar 9 – Mar 16, then transplant outdoors Apr 20 – Apr 27. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Mar 30 in New South Memphis and as late as May 5 in Bristol.

Method Start indoors, then transplant
Days to maturity 70–90 days

Needs warm soil (65F+); start indoors 3-4 weeks before last frost, transplant 2-3 weeks after last frost.

Watermelon Planting Dates by City

CityStart indoorsTransplant
NashvilleMar 4 – Mar 11Apr 15 – Apr 22
New South MemphisFeb 16 – Feb 23Mar 30 – Apr 6
MemphisFeb 16 – Feb 23Mar 30 – Apr 6
KnoxvilleMar 14 – Mar 21Apr 25 – May 2
ChattanoogaFeb 24 – Mar 3Apr 7 – Apr 14
ClarksvilleMar 6 – Mar 13Apr 17 – Apr 24
MurfreesboroMar 12 – Mar 19Apr 23 – Apr 30
East ChattanoogaFeb 24 – Mar 3Apr 7 – Apr 14
FranklinMar 6 – Mar 13Apr 17 – Apr 24
CordovaMar 1 – Mar 8Apr 12 – Apr 19
JacksonMar 5 – Mar 12Apr 16 – Apr 23
Johnson CityMar 22 – Mar 29May 3 – May 10
BartlettMar 1 – Mar 8Apr 12 – Apr 19
HendersonvilleMar 14 – Mar 21Apr 25 – May 2
KingsportMar 12 – Mar 19Apr 23 – Apr 30
ColliervilleMar 1 – Mar 8Apr 12 – Apr 19
SmyrnaMar 16 – Mar 23Apr 27 – May 4
ClevelandMar 9 – Mar 16Apr 20 – Apr 27
BrentwoodMar 18 – Mar 25Apr 29 – May 6
GermantownMar 1 – Mar 8Apr 12 – Apr 19
HermitageMar 4 – Mar 11Apr 15 – Apr 22
ColumbiaMar 13 – Mar 20Apr 24 – May 1
Spring HillMar 6 – Mar 13Apr 17 – Apr 24
La VergneMar 16 – Mar 23Apr 27 – May 4
GallatinMar 19 – Mar 26Apr 30 – May 7
CookevilleMar 17 – Mar 24Apr 28 – May 5
Mount JulietMar 4 – Mar 11Apr 15 – Apr 22
LebanonMar 9 – Mar 16Apr 20 – Apr 27
MorristownMar 13 – Mar 20Apr 24 – May 1
Oak RidgeMar 8 – Mar 15Apr 19 – Apr 26

Showing the 30 most populous of 70 Tennessee cities. Dates are estimates from each city's NOAA frost normals and university extension timing guidelines. See all Tennessee cities.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant watermelon in Tennessee?

In a typical Tennessee location, start seeds indoors Mar 9 – Mar 16, then transplant outdoors Apr 20 – Apr 27. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Mar 30 in New South Memphis and as late as May 5 in Bristol.

When is the last frost in Tennessee?

The average last spring frost in Tennessee ranges from March 16 in New South Memphis to April 21 in Bristol, based on NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals.

How long do watermelon take to grow?

Watermelon typically take 70–90 days from planting to harvest. Needs warm soil (65F+); start indoors 3-4 weeks before last frost, transplant 2-3 weeks after last frost.

Other Crops in Tennessee

When to plant watermelon in other states

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