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When to Plant Squash (Summer) in Davidson County, TN

Summer squash includes zucchini, yellow crookneck, and pattypan varieties that are harvested young and tender. They are prolific producers in warm weather.

Davidson County, Tennessee is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 5 and the first fall frost is October 29, giving you a growing season of approximately 207 days.

At an elevation of 2,344 feet, Davidson County receives approximately 40.5 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 91ยฐF, providing good warmth for Squash (Summer) during the growing season.

Davidson County, TN (Zone 7a) Long season
207 days
Last Spring Frost April 5
207 growing days
First Fall Frost October 29

Davidson County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.2-7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (82 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 1 Transplant: Apr 12 🍅 Harvest: May 31 – Aug 2
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (81 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 8 Transplant: Apr 19 🍅 Harvest: Jun 7 – Aug 9
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (81 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 22 Transplant: May 3 🍅 Harvest: Jun 21 – Aug 23

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
0.8″/week
You supply
0.2″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 328 gal / 100 sq ft
Squash (Summer) needs ~1,004 GDD — county provides 3,777 GDD Excellent fit

Squash (Summer) Planting Timeline โ€” Davidson County, TN

Squash (Summer) Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors March 8 Mar 8 โ€“ Mar 22
Transplant Outdoors April 19 Apr 19 โ€“ May 3
Direct Sow April 12 Apr 12 โ€“ May 3
Harvest June 7 Jun 7 โ€“ Aug 9

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 Harvest
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

45โ€“65 days

Soil pH

6 โ€“ 7.5

USDA Zone

Zone 7a

Growing Season

207 days

Growing Tips for Davidson County

Direct sow after last frost on mounds. Harvest frequently when fruits are 6-8 inches for best texture. Check plants daily as they grow rapidly in summer heat.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Avoid Planting Near

  • Potatoes

Level Up Your Garden

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Squash (Summer) in Davidson County, TN?

Davidson County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of April 5. Plan your Squash (Summer) planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Davidson County, TN?

Davidson County, Tennessee is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 5 and first fall frost is October 29.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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