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When to Plant Spaghetti Squash in Johnson County, TN

Spaghetti squash is a winter squash whose cooked flesh separates into pasta-like strands. It is a popular low-carb alternative to pasta.

Johnson County, Tennessee is in USDA Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 14 and the first fall frost is October 22, giving you a growing season of approximately 191 days.

At an elevation of 404 feet, Johnson County receives approximately 43.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 86ยฐF, providing good warmth for Spaghetti Squash during the growing season.

Johnson County, TN (Zone 6b) Moderate season
191 days
Last Spring Frost April 14
191 growing days
First Fall Frost October 22

Johnson 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 (58 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 5 Transplant: Apr 23 🍅 Harvest: Jul 23 – Aug 20
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (58 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 10 Transplant: Apr 28 🍅 Harvest: Jul 28 – Aug 25
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (51 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 30 Transplant: May 18 🍅 Harvest: Aug 17 – Sep 14

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
0.1″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 102 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

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

Spaghetti Squash needs ~1,341 GDD — county provides 2,769 GDD Excellent fit

Spaghetti Squash Planting Timeline โ€” Johnson County, TN

Spaghetti Squash Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 10 Mar 10 โ€“ Mar 24
Transplant Outdoors April 28 Apr 28 โ€“ May 12
Direct Sow April 21 Apr 21 โ€“ May 12
Harvest July 28 Jul 28 โ€“ Aug 25

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 โ€”
October โ€”
November โ€”
December โ€”

Growing Conditions

Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

Water

Moderate โ€” regular watering

Days to Maturity

85โ€“100 days

Soil pH

6 โ€“ 7

USDA Zone

Zone 6b

Growing Season

191 days

Growing Tips for Johnson County

Direct sow on mounds after last frost. Harvest when skin turns golden yellow and is hard. Store in a cool, dry place for 2-3 months. Bake or microwave halves until tender.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Avoid Planting Near

  • Potatoes

Level Up Your Garden

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Spaghetti Squash in Johnson County, TN?

Johnson County is in Zone 6b with an average last frost of April 14. Plan your Spaghetti Squash planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Johnson County, TN?

Johnson County, Tennessee is in USDA Hardiness Zone 6b. The average last spring frost is April 14 and first fall frost is October 22.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Johnson County gardeners in Zone 6b 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 Johnson County, TN. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.