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When to Plant Pumpkin in Marshall 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.

Marshall 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 3,469 feet, Marshall County receives approximately 41.1 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 94ยฐF, providing good warmth for Pumpkin during the growing season.

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

Marshall County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.5-6.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (44 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 7 Transplant: Apr 18 🍅 Harvest: Jul 18 – Sep 5
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (43 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 13 Transplant: Apr 24 🍅 Harvest: Jul 24 – Sep 11
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (42 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 26 Transplant: May 7 🍅 Harvest: Aug 6 – Sep 24

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
Drought risk

Water stress score is 6/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Pumpkin needs ~2,101 GDD — county provides 4,038 GDD Excellent fit

Pumpkin Planting Timeline โ€” Marshall County, TN

Pumpkin Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 13 Mar 13 โ€“ Mar 27
Transplant Outdoors April 24 Apr 24 โ€“ May 8
Direct Sow April 17 Apr 17 โ€“ May 8
Harvest July 24 Jul 24 โ€“ Sep 11

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

197 days

Growing Tips for Marshall 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 Marshall County, TN?

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

What planting zone is Marshall County, TN?

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

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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