When to plant popcorn in Tennessee
Tennessee spans USDA zones 7a–8a, so the right time to plant popcorn shifts by weeks across the state. The window to sow seed directly outdoors runs from about March 16 in Memphis to April 22 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 1 – April 15 |
| Memphis | 8a | March 16 | November 16 | March 16 – March 30 |
| Knoxville | 7b | April 11 | October 28 | April 11 – April 25 |
| Chattanooga | 8a | March 24 | November 9 | March 24 – April 7 |
| Clarksville | 7b | April 3 | November 1 | April 3 – April 17 |
| Murfreesboro | 7b | April 9 | October 27 | April 9 – April 23 |
| Franklin | 7b | April 3 | October 31 | April 3 – April 17 |
| Johnson City | 7b | April 19 | October 24 | April 19 – May 3 |
Popcorn in Tennessee: FAQ
When can I plant popcorn in Tennessee?
Across Tennessee, the time to direct-sow popcorn spans roughly March 16 in Memphis to April 22 in Halls, each following that city's local frost dates.
Does the popcorn planting date vary across Tennessee?
Yes. Tennessee publishes 67 cities with their own frost dates, so the right popcorn 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 popcorn take to grow in Tennessee?
Popcorn takes about 90–120 days to reach harvest once planted — check that this fits inside your city's frost-free season on its place page.
Never miss a window in your area
An email when it’s time to start seeds, transplant, and sow — timed to your frost dates. Double opt-in, one-click unsubscribe, no spam.