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When to Plant Rosemary in Polk County, TN

Rosemary is an aromatic evergreen shrub with needle-like leaves and a piney, citrus flavor. It is a Mediterranean herb that thrives in warm, dry conditions.

Polk County, Tennessee is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 19 and the first fall frost is October 19, giving you a growing season of approximately 183 days.

At an elevation of 1,255 feet, Polk County receives approximately 43.6 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 91ยฐF, providing good warmth for Rosemary during the growing season.

Polk County, TN (Zone 7a) Moderate season
183 days
Last Spring Frost April 19
183 growing days
First Fall Frost October 19

Polk County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.4-6.5

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Apr 17 🍅 Harvest: Jul 10 – Nov 27
Recommended (50%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Apr 26 🍅 Harvest: Jul 19 – Dec 6
Safe Start (90%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: May 12 🍅 Harvest: Aug 4 – Dec 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
0.5″/week
Rainfall provides
1.0″/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

Rosemary needs ~2,372 GDD — county provides 3,339 GDD Excellent fit

Rosemary Planting Timeline โ€” Polk County, TN

Rosemary Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors April 26 Apr 26 โ€“ May 10
Harvest July 19 Jul 19 โ€“ Dec 6

Plant 0.5" deep ยท 8" apart ยท Rows 12" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

Water

Low โ€” drought tolerant

Days to Maturity

80โ€“180 days

Soil pH

6 โ€“ 7.5

USDA Zone

Zone 7a

Growing Season

183 days

Growing Tips for Polk County

Grow in well-drained soil and avoid overwatering. In cold climates, grow in containers and bring indoors for winter. Propagate from stem cuttings for faster results than seed.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Level Up Your Garden

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Rosemary in Polk County, TN?

Polk County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of April 19. Plan your Rosemary planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Polk County, TN?

Polk County, Tennessee is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 19 and first fall frost is October 19.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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