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When to Plant Raspberries in Hamilton County, TN

Raspberries are beloved bramble fruits producing sweet, delicate berries in red, golden, black, and purple varieties. They spread by underground runners and are very productive.

Hamilton County, Tennessee is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is March 28 and the first fall frost is November 1, giving you a growing season of approximately 218 days.

At an elevation of 3,918 feet, Hamilton County receives approximately 51.4 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 93ยฐF, providing good warmth for Raspberries during the growing season. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Raspberries root diseases.

Hamilton County, TN (Zone 7a) Long season
218 days
Last Spring Frost March 28
218 growing days
First Fall Frost November 1

Hamilton County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.6-6.9

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: Apr 11
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: Apr 18
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: May 8

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
1.0″/week
You supply
0.0″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 19 gal / 100 sq ft
Raspberries needs ~10,813 GDD — county provides 4,305 GDD May not mature

Raspberries Planting Timeline โ€” Hamilton County, TN

Raspberries Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors April 18 Apr 18 โ€“ May 2

ยท 24" apart ยท Rows 72" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

365โ€“730 days

Soil pH

5.5 โ€“ 6.5

USDA Zone

Zone 7a

Growing Season

218 days

Growing Tips for Hamilton County

Provide a trellis for support. Prune summer-bearing types by removing spent canes after harvest. For ever-bearing types, mow all canes in late winter for a single fall crop.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Avoid Planting Near

  • Potatoes
  • Tomatoes

Level Up Your Garden

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Raspberries in Hamilton County, TN?

Hamilton County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of March 28. Plan your Raspberries planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Hamilton County, TN?

Hamilton County, Tennessee is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is March 28 and first fall frost is November 1.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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