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When to Plant Mint in Campbell County, TN

Campbell County, Tennessee Zone 7a May

May in Campbell County, Tennessee — your action list

May is a pivotal month for Campbell County, Tennessee gardens. Focus on these tasks first and you'll set up the rest of the season for success.

Avg. last frost April 11
Avg. first frost October 25
Soil temp (4") 56°F
Watering Moderate
Pest pressure Low
Daylight 13.9 hrs
Coming up in June — start thinking about
  • First harvests: mint

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Mint is a vigorous perennial herb with refreshing, aromatic leaves used in teas, cocktails, and cooking. It spreads aggressively by underground runners.

Campbell County, Tennessee is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 11 and the first fall frost is October 25, giving you a growing season of approximately 197 days.

At an elevation of 2,606 feet, Campbell County receives approximately 43.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 86°F, providing good warmth for Mint during the growing season.

Campbell County, TN (Zone 7a) Moderate season
197 days
Last Spring Frost April 11
197 growing days
First Fall Frost October 25
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Campbell 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 (57 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 12 🍅 Harvest: Jun 14 – Aug 23
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (57 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 18 🍅 Harvest: Jun 20 – Aug 29
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (46 days to spare)
Transplant: May 11 🍅 Harvest: Jul 13 – Sep 21

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.

Soil Compatibility in Campbell County

How your county's soil matches Mint's growing requirements.

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.7–7.1) overlaps with Mint's range (6.0–7.0), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

The silt loam soil in Campbell County is excellent for Mint — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (3.1%). Annual compost additions will help Mint.

How to Plant Mint

0.5"
Planting Depth
8"
Between Plants
12"
Between Rows

Succession Planting Mint

3
successive plantings in your 197-day season

Sow every 6.9 weeks. Last sowing by Jul 27 to harvest before frost.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
0.7″/week
Rainfall provides
0.9″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft

Monthly Watering Guide for Mint

Mint needs approximately 0.7 inches of water per week (3" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.

Month Mint Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan 4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 3.6" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 4.1" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Apr 3" 2.9" 0.1" 💧 Light watering
May 3" 3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jun 3" 4.4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 3" 3.9" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 3" 4.5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 3" 3.6" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Oct 3" 2.9" 0.1" 💧 Light watering
Nov 3.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Dec 3.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Apr–Oct in Campbell County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall — actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.

Mint Heat Requirements (GDD)

What are Growing Degree Days (GDD)?

Growing Degree Days measure the total warmth your plants receive during the growing season. Think of it as a "heat bank" — every day above 50°F deposits warmth that helps your plants grow.

Each plant needs a certain amount of accumulated heat to mature. If your county provides more GDD than the plant needs, it's a great fit. If it's close, you may want to choose faster-maturing varieties or start seeds indoors to get a head start.

Mint needs ~1,088 GDD — county provides 2,856 GDD Excellent fit

Mint Planting Timeline — Campbell County, TN

Mint Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors April 18 Apr 18 – May 2
Harvest June 20 Jun 20 – Aug 29

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February
March
April Transplant Outdoors
May Transplant Outdoors
June Harvest
July Harvest
August Harvest
September
October
November
December
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Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Partial Shade (3-6 hours)

💧 Water

0.7"/week · Natural rainfall sufficient

📅 Days to Maturity

60–90 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7 · Your soil: acceptable

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 7a

📆 Growing Season

197 days in Campbell County

Growing Tips for Mint in Campbell County

Direct sow Mint outdoors after April 11 in Campbell County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

General growing tips

Always grow mint in containers or with underground barriers to control spreading. Harvest regularly to keep plants compact. Cut plants back in late summer for a fresh fall flush.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Avoid Planting Near

  • Parsley

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Mint in Campbell County, TN?

Campbell County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of April 11. Plan your Mint planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Campbell County, TN?

Campbell County, Tennessee is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 11 and first fall frost is October 25.

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Your Campbell County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Campbell County (Zone 7a). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.

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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 Campbell County, TN. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: May 2026.

Sources & credits

Every number on this page traces back to a primary horticulture or government data source. Click through to verify.