When to plant butternut squash in Tennessee
Tennessee spans USDA zones 7a–8a, so the right time to plant butternut squash shifts by weeks across the state. The window to sow seed directly outdoors runs from about March 23 in Memphis to April 29 in Halls — below are local dates for 67 cities, each computed from its own frost dates.
| City | Zone | Last frost | First frost | Direct sow |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nashville-Davidson | 7b | April 1 | October 31 | April 8 – April 22 |
| Memphis | 8a | March 16 | November 16 | March 23 – April 6 |
| Knoxville | 7b | April 11 | October 28 | April 18 – May 2 |
| Chattanooga | 8a | March 24 | November 9 | March 31 – April 14 |
| Clarksville | 7b | April 3 | November 1 | April 10 – April 24 |
| Murfreesboro | 7b | April 9 | October 27 | April 16 – April 30 |
| Franklin | 7b | April 3 | October 31 | April 10 – April 24 |
| Johnson City | 7b | April 19 | October 24 | April 26 – May 10 |
Butternut Squash in Tennessee: FAQ
When can I plant butternut squash in Tennessee?
Across Tennessee, the time to direct-sow butternut squash spans roughly March 23 in Memphis to April 29 in Halls, each following that city's local frost dates.
Does the butternut squash planting date vary across Tennessee?
Yes. Tennessee publishes 67 cities with their own frost dates, so the right butternut squash planting window shifts by weeks between the warmest and coldest parts of the state — use your city's page for the exact dates.
How long does butternut squash take to grow in Tennessee?
Butternut Squash takes about 90–110 days to reach harvest once planted — check that this fits inside your city's frost-free season on its place page.
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