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When to Plant Echinacea in Stewart County, TN

Echinacea (purple coneflower) is a native prairie perennial valued for its immune-supporting properties and beautiful daisy-like flowers that attract pollinators.

Stewart County, Tennessee is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 5 and the first fall frost is October 30, giving you a growing season of approximately 208 days.

At an elevation of 2,725 feet, Stewart County receives approximately 43 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 92ยฐF, providing good warmth for Echinacea during the growing season.

Stewart County, TN (Zone 7a) Long season
208 days
Last Spring Frost April 5
208 growing days
First Fall Frost October 30

Stewart County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.5-6.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Apr 6 🍅 Harvest: Aug 10 – Nov 16
Recommended (50%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Apr 12 🍅 Harvest: Aug 16 – Nov 22
Safe Start (90%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Apr 25 🍅 Harvest: Aug 29 – Dec 5

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
0.5″/week
Rainfall provides
0.9″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Echinacea needs ~2,850 GDD — county provides 3,952 GDD Excellent fit

Echinacea Planting Timeline โ€” Stewart County, TN

Echinacea Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors April 12 Apr 12 โ€“ Apr 26
Harvest August 16 Aug 16 โ€“ Nov 22

Plant 0.5" deep ยท 8" apart ยท Rows 12" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

Water

Low โ€” drought tolerant

Days to Maturity

120โ€“180 days

Soil pH

6 โ€“ 7

USDA Zone

Zone 7a

Growing Season

208 days

Growing Tips for Stewart County

Start seeds indoors 8-10 weeks before last frost or direct sow in fall for spring germination. Seeds need cold stratification. Deadhead to prolong blooming or leave seed heads for birds.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Level Up Your Garden

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Echinacea in Stewart County, TN?

Stewart County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of April 5. Plan your Echinacea planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Stewart County, TN?

Stewart County, Tennessee is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 5 and first fall frost is October 30.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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

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