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When to Plant Medlar in Moore County, TN

Medlar is a small ornamental tree producing unusual open-ended fruits that must be bletted (softened by frost) before eating. The flavor is complex, like spiced apple butter.

Moore County, Tennessee is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 10 and the first fall frost is October 24, giving you a growing season of approximately 197 days.

At an elevation of 1,271 feet, Moore County receives approximately 42.9 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 88ยฐF, providing good warmth for Medlar during the growing season.

Moore County, TN (Zone 7a) Moderate season
197 days
Last Spring Frost April 10
197 growing days
First Fall Frost October 24

Moore County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.3-7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: Apr 25
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: May 1
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: May 14

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
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
0.9″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Medlar needs ~23,360 GDD — county provides 3,152 GDD May not mature

Medlar Planting Timeline โ€” Moore County, TN

Medlar Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors May 1 May 1 โ€“ May 15

ยท 120" apart ยท Rows 144" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March โ€”
April โ€”
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

Moderate โ€” regular watering

Days to Maturity

1095โ€“1825 days

Soil pH

6 โ€“ 7.5

USDA Zone

Zone 7a

Growing Season

197 days

Growing Tips for Moore County

Plant in well-drained soil. Medlars are self-fertile and need minimal pruning. Harvest after the first frost and allow to soften (blet) indoors for 2-3 weeks before eating.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Level Up Your Garden

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Medlar in Moore County, TN?

Moore County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of April 10. Plan your Medlar planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Moore County, TN?

Moore County, Tennessee is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 10 and first fall frost is October 24.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Moore 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 Moore County, TN. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.