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When to Plant Pumpkin in Cannon County, TN

Pumpkins are large-fruited squash varieties grown for eating, decoration, and seed production. They require ample space and a long, warm growing season.

Cannon 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 1,787 feet, Cannon County receives approximately 53.4 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 94ยฐF, providing good warmth for Pumpkin during the growing season. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Pumpkin root diseases.

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

Cannon County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.6-6.6

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (47 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 7 Transplant: Apr 18 🍅 Harvest: Jul 18 – Sep 5
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (48 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 12 Transplant: Apr 23 🍅 Harvest: Jul 23 – Sep 10
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (52 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 24 Transplant: May 5 🍅 Harvest: Aug 4 – Sep 22

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
1.1″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Pumpkin needs ~2,101 GDD — county provides 4,141 GDD Excellent fit

Pumpkin Planting Timeline โ€” Cannon County, TN

Pumpkin Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 12 Mar 12 โ€“ Mar 26
Transplant Outdoors April 23 Apr 23 โ€“ May 7
Direct Sow April 16 Apr 16 โ€“ May 7
Harvest July 23 Jul 23 โ€“ Sep 10

Plant 1" deep ยท 30" apart ยท Rows 42" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

Water

Moderate โ€” regular watering

Days to Maturity

85โ€“120 days

Soil pH

6 โ€“ 7.5

USDA Zone

Zone 7a

Growing Season

202 days

Growing Tips for Cannon County

Direct sow on mounds after last frost. Allow 6-10 feet between plants. Slip a board under developing fruit to prevent rot. Harvest when rind is hard and deep in color.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Avoid Planting Near

  • Potatoes

Level Up Your Garden

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Pumpkin in Cannon County, TN?

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

What planting zone is Cannon County, TN?

Cannon 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 Cannon 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 Cannon County, TN. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.