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When to Plant Pumpkin in Tipton 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.

Tipton County, Tennessee is in USDA Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 30 and the first fall frost is October 31, giving you a growing season of approximately 215 days.

At an elevation of 3,877 feet, Tipton County receives approximately 45.5 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 90ยฐF, providing good warmth for Pumpkin during the growing season.

Tipton County, TN (Zone 7b) Long season
215 days
Last Spring Frost March 30
215 growing days
First Fall Frost October 31

Tipton County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.7-7.1

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (66 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 21 Transplant: Apr 4 🍅 Harvest: Jul 4 – Aug 22
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (61 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 2 Transplant: Apr 13 🍅 Harvest: Jul 13 – Aug 31
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (64 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 18 Transplant: Apr 29 🍅 Harvest: Jul 29 – Sep 16

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
You supply
0.1″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 255 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

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

Pumpkin needs ~1,794 GDD — county provides 3,762 GDD Excellent fit

Pumpkin Planting Timeline โ€” Tipton County, TN

Pumpkin Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 2 Mar 2 โ€“ Mar 16
Transplant Outdoors April 13 Apr 13 โ€“ Apr 27
Direct Sow April 6 Apr 6 โ€“ Apr 27
Harvest July 13 Jul 13 โ€“ Aug 31

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 โ€”
June โ€”
July Harvest
August Harvest
September โ€”
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 7b

Growing Season

215 days

Growing Tips for Tipton 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 Tipton County, TN?

Tipton County is in Zone 7b with an average last frost of March 30. Plan your Pumpkin planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Tipton County, TN?

Tipton County, Tennessee is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is March 30 and first fall frost is October 31.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Tipton County gardeners in Zone 7b 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 Tipton County, TN. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.