When to plant zucchini / summer squash in Tennessee
Tennessee’s average last spring frost is April 10, and the first fall frost typically arrives around October 25 — about 198 frost-free days (USDA zones 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a). Zucchini / Summer Squash needs 45–60 days to mature, which fits comfortably within Tennessee's growing season.
When to plant zucchini / summer squash in Tennessee: the short answer
For a spring planting, plant out Apr 10 – Apr 27, with seeds started indoors Mar 13 – Mar 27. Wait until the soil is at least 60°F and frost is over.
Succession sow again in Tennessee: May 15 · Jun 12 · Jul 10 · Aug 7
Windows are ~1–2 week bands around each date. Frost dates are a statewide average from NOAA/NCEI normals; your town may differ by two weeks or more. Calendar year 2026.
How to grow zucchini / summer squash in Tennessee, step by step
- Start seeds indoors (Mar 13 – Mar 27). Sow seeds 1 inch deep in seed-starting mix under bright light. They take 5-10 days to sprout, fastest in soil around 85°F. Harden seedlings off for a week before they go outside.
- Prepare the bed. It needs at least six to eight hours of direct sun a day and loose soil at least 14 inches deep, with a pH between 5.5 and 7.5. Dig in compost before planting.
- Plant out (Apr 10 – Apr 27). Space plants about 30 inches apart in rows 42 inches apart. It is killed by frost, so nothing goes outside until the danger has passed.
- Water and feed. Give it steady, even moisture, about an inch of water a week from rain or the hose.
- Watch for pests and problems. Pests: squash vine borer, squash bug, striped cucumber beetle, aphids. Diseases and disorders: powdery mildew, bacterial wilt, blossom-end rot (calcium disorder).
- Harvest (from about Jun 1 – Jun 16). Zucchini / Summer Squash takes 45-60 days to reach harvest. One or two plants feed a household. A second sowing in early-mid summer dodges the first vine borer generation.
Figures come from our crop data; dates use Tennessee’s average frost dates. More in the full zucchini / summer squash growing guide.
Zucchini planting dates by USDA zone in Tennessee
Tennessee spans USDA zones 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a. Colder zones, usually higher or further inland, have a later last spring frost and an earlier first fall frost than the state average, so the zucchini / summer squash dates shift with them.
When to plant zucchini / summer squash in nearby states
| State | Last frost | Plant out |
|---|---|---|
| Tennessee (this page) | April 10 | Apr 10 – Apr 27 |
| North Carolina | April 5 | Apr 5 – Apr 22 |
| South Carolina | March 25 | Mar 25 – Apr 11 |
| Georgia | March 25 | Mar 25 – Apr 11 |
| Kentucky | April 18 | Apr 18 – May 5 |
Questions gardeners in Tennessee ask
When is the best time to plant zucchini / summer squash in Tennessee?
Plant zucchini / summer squash transplants outdoors in Tennessee between April 10 and April 27. That timing is set by Tennessee's average last spring frost of April 10.
When should I start zucchini / summer squash seeds indoors in Tennessee?
Start seeds indoors between March 13 and March 27, about 3 weeks before the last frost, so the seedlings are ready to plant out from April 10.
Can I plant zucchini / summer squash in the fall in Tennessee?
Yes. For a fall crop, sow between July 23 and August 9, so the crop matures in cool weather before Tennessee's first frost around October 25.
When will zucchini / summer squash planted in Tennessee be ready to harvest?
Planted on time, zucchini / summer squash is usually ready from about June 1 to June 16, 45-60 days after planting.
When is the last frost in Tennessee?
On average around April 10, with the first fall frost around October 25 - about 198 frost-free days. Your town may differ by two weeks or more.