Tennessee · zones 7a–8a
When to plant watermelon in Tennessee.
Sow between Apr 29 to Jun 15 in a typical year, keyed to Tennessee's median last frost around Apr 8. Dates below are state medians; your ZIP code shifts them by days to weeks.
The 2026 windows
Watermelon dates for a typical Tennessee season.
Direct sow
Apr 29 to Jun 15
Keyed to the ~Apr 8 last frost. Sow 1" deep, 36" apart.
Harvest
~85 days later
~20 lb per plant over ~3 weeks.
Tennessee spans more than one climate: Zone 7 is the most common zone, but the state runs 7a to 8a. That's why the planner works from your ZIP code's frost dates, not your zone — mountain and coastal gardens in the same state can be three weeks apart.