FrostCal

When to Plant Zucchini in Tennessee

In a typical Tennessee location, start seeds indoors Mar 16 – Mar 23, then sow outdoors Apr 13 – Apr 27, then transplant outdoors Apr 13 – Apr 20. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Mar 23 in New South Memphis and as late as Apr 28 in Bristol.

Method Direct sow
Days to maturity 45–55 days

Fast-growing squash; direct sow 1-3 weeks after last frost, or start indoors 2-3 weeks early for a head start.

Zucchini Planting Dates by City

CityStart indoorsDirect sowTransplant
NashvilleMar 11 – Mar 18Apr 8 – Apr 22Apr 8 – Apr 15
New South MemphisFeb 23 – Mar 2Mar 23 – Apr 6Mar 23 – Mar 30
MemphisFeb 23 – Mar 2Mar 23 – Apr 6Mar 23 – Mar 30
KnoxvilleMar 21 – Mar 28Apr 18 – May 2Apr 18 – Apr 25
ChattanoogaMar 3 – Mar 10Mar 31 – Apr 14Mar 31 – Apr 7
ClarksvilleMar 13 – Mar 20Apr 10 – Apr 24Apr 10 – Apr 17
MurfreesboroMar 19 – Mar 26Apr 16 – Apr 30Apr 16 – Apr 23
East ChattanoogaMar 3 – Mar 10Mar 31 – Apr 14Mar 31 – Apr 7
FranklinMar 13 – Mar 20Apr 10 – Apr 24Apr 10 – Apr 17
CordovaMar 8 – Mar 15Apr 5 – Apr 19Apr 5 – Apr 12
JacksonMar 12 – Mar 19Apr 9 – Apr 23Apr 9 – Apr 16
Johnson CityMar 29 – Apr 5Apr 26 – May 10Apr 26 – May 3
BartlettMar 8 – Mar 15Apr 5 – Apr 19Apr 5 – Apr 12
HendersonvilleMar 21 – Mar 28Apr 18 – May 2Apr 18 – Apr 25
KingsportMar 19 – Mar 26Apr 16 – Apr 30Apr 16 – Apr 23
ColliervilleMar 8 – Mar 15Apr 5 – Apr 19Apr 5 – Apr 12
SmyrnaMar 23 – Mar 30Apr 20 – May 4Apr 20 – Apr 27
ClevelandMar 16 – Mar 23Apr 13 – Apr 27Apr 13 – Apr 20
BrentwoodMar 25 – Apr 1Apr 22 – May 6Apr 22 – Apr 29
GermantownMar 8 – Mar 15Apr 5 – Apr 19Apr 5 – Apr 12
HermitageMar 11 – Mar 18Apr 8 – Apr 22Apr 8 – Apr 15
ColumbiaMar 20 – Mar 27Apr 17 – May 1Apr 17 – Apr 24
Spring HillMar 13 – Mar 20Apr 10 – Apr 24Apr 10 – Apr 17
La VergneMar 23 – Mar 30Apr 20 – May 4Apr 20 – Apr 27
GallatinMar 26 – Apr 2Apr 23 – May 7Apr 23 – Apr 30
CookevilleMar 24 – Mar 31Apr 21 – May 5Apr 21 – Apr 28
Mount JulietMar 11 – Mar 18Apr 8 – Apr 22Apr 8 – Apr 15
LebanonMar 16 – Mar 23Apr 13 – Apr 27Apr 13 – Apr 20
MorristownMar 20 – Mar 27Apr 17 – May 1Apr 17 – Apr 24
Oak RidgeMar 15 – Mar 22Apr 12 – Apr 26Apr 12 – Apr 19

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 zucchini in Tennessee?

In a typical Tennessee location, start seeds indoors Mar 16 – Mar 23, then sow outdoors Apr 13 – Apr 27, then transplant outdoors Apr 13 – Apr 20. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Mar 23 in New South Memphis and as late as Apr 28 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 zucchini take to grow?

Zucchini typically take 45–55 days from planting to harvest. Fast-growing squash; direct sow 1-3 weeks after last frost, or start indoors 2-3 weeks early for a head start.

Other Crops in Tennessee

When to plant zucchini in other states

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