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When to Plant Cranberries in Sumner County, TN

Cranberries are low-growing, vine-like shrubs that produce tart red berries in fall. They grow in acidic, boggy conditions and are surprisingly easy to cultivate.

Sumner County, Tennessee is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 9 and the first fall frost is October 28, giving you a growing season of approximately 202 days.

At an elevation of 1,917 feet, Sumner County receives approximately 54.6 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 92ยฐF, providing good warmth for Cranberries during the growing season. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Cranberries root diseases.

Sumner County, TN (Zone 7a) Long season
202 days
Last Spring Frost April 9
202 growing days
First Fall Frost October 28

Sumner County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.8-6.9

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: Apr 25
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: Apr 30
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: May 12

Percentages indicate frost risk at transplant. The 70% safe window means there is a 30% chance of frost after transplant — suitable for cold-hardy crops or gardeners with frost protection. The 90% safe window is best for tender plants.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.5″/week
Rainfall provides
1.1″/week
You supply
0.4″/week
Watering frequency 1-2 times/week
Season total 656 gal / 100 sq ft
Cranberries needs ~17,338 GDD — county provides 3,838 GDD May not mature

Cranberries Planting Timeline โ€” Sumner County, TN

Cranberries Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors April 30 Apr 30 โ€“ May 14

ยท 36" apart ยท Rows 48" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March โ€”
April Transplant Outdoors
May Transplant Outdoors
June โ€”
July โ€”
August โ€”
September โ€”
October โ€”
November โ€”
December โ€”

Growing Conditions

Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

Water

High โ€” keep soil consistently moist

Days to Maturity

730โ€“1095 days

Soil pH

4 โ€“ 5.5

USDA Zone

Zone 7a

Growing Season

202 days

Growing Tips for Sumner County

Create an acidic, consistently moist bed with peat moss. Cranberries do not need to be flooded to grow; flooding is only used for commercial harvesting. Mulch with sand in early spring.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Level Up Your Garden

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Cranberries in Sumner County, TN?

Sumner County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of April 9. Plan your Cranberries planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Sumner County, TN?

Sumner County, Tennessee is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 9 and first fall frost is October 28.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Sumner County gardeners in Zone 7a organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

Get Your Free Garden Planner →

Free download. Plan your entire garden season in minutes.

Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Sumner County, TN. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.