When to plant rutabaga in Tennessee
Tennessee spans USDA zones 7a–8a, so the right time to plant rutabaga shifts by weeks across the state. The window to sow seed directly outdoors runs from about March 2 in Memphis to April 8 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 | March 18 – April 15 |
| Memphis | 8a | March 16 | November 16 | March 2 – March 30 |
| Knoxville | 7b | April 11 | October 28 | March 28 – April 25 |
| Chattanooga | 8a | March 24 | November 9 | March 10 – April 7 |
| Clarksville | 7b | April 3 | November 1 | March 20 – April 17 |
| Murfreesboro | 7b | April 9 | October 27 | March 26 – April 23 |
| Franklin | 7b | April 3 | October 31 | March 20 – April 17 |
| Johnson City | 7b | April 19 | October 24 | April 5 – May 3 |
Rutabaga in Tennessee: FAQ
When can I plant rutabaga in Tennessee?
Across Tennessee, the time to direct-sow rutabaga spans roughly March 2 in Memphis to April 8 in Halls, each following that city's local frost dates.
Does the rutabaga planting date vary across Tennessee?
Yes. Tennessee publishes 67 cities with their own frost dates, so the right rutabaga 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 rutabaga take to grow in Tennessee?
Rutabaga 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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