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When to Plant Tomatoes in Sevier County, TN

Tomatoes are the most popular home garden crop, available in thousands of varieties from tiny cherries to massive beefsteaks. They are warm-season plants needing full sun.

Sevier County, Tennessee is in USDA Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 17 and the first fall frost is October 21, giving you a growing season of approximately 187 days.

At an elevation of 2,536 feet, Sevier County receives approximately 45 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly silt loam soil. Summer highs average 88ยฐF, providing good warmth for Tomatoes during the growing season.

Sevier County, TN (Zone 7a) Moderate season
187 days
Last Spring Frost April 17
187 growing days
First Fall Frost October 21

Sevier County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Silt Loam

Soil pH

5.6-6.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (44 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 19 Transplant: Apr 23 🍅 Harvest: Jun 25 – Sep 3
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (40 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 27 Transplant: May 1 🍅 Harvest: Jul 3 – Sep 11
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (35 days to spare)
Start indoors: Mar 15 Transplant: May 17 🍅 Harvest: Jul 19 – Sep 27

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
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Tomatoes needs ~1,160 GDD — county provides 2,992 GDD Excellent fit

Tomatoes Planting Timeline โ€” Sevier County, TN

Tomatoes Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 27 Feb 27 โ€“ Mar 13
Transplant Outdoors May 1 May 1 โ€“ May 15
Direct Sow April 24 Apr 24 โ€“ May 15
Harvest July 3 Jul 3 โ€“ Sep 11

Plant 0.5" deep ยท 24" apart ยท Rows 36" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

Water

Moderate โ€” regular watering

Days to Maturity

60โ€“85 days

Soil pH

6 โ€“ 7

USDA Zone

Zone 7a

Growing Season

187 days

Growing Tips for Sevier County

Start seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost. Bury transplants deep to encourage rooting along the stem. Provide consistent moisture to prevent blossom end rot and cracking.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Avoid Planting Near

  • Cabbage
  • Fennel
  • Potatoes

Level Up Your Garden

๐ŸŒพ Save Your Own Tomatoes Seeds
Life Cycle Annual
Pollination Self-Pollinating
How to Collect Scoop seeds from ripe fruit; ferment 2-3 days to remove gel coating.
Storage Store airtight; viable 4-6 years at 35ยฐF, under 45% humidity.

Isolate 25 ft between varieties for purity. Use open-pollinated varieties for true-to-type seeds.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Tomatoes in Sevier County, TN?

Sevier County is in Zone 7a with an average last frost of April 17. Plan your Tomatoes planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Sevier County, TN?

Sevier County, Tennessee is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7a. The average last spring frost is April 17 and first fall frost is October 21.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Sevier County gardeners in Zone 7a organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

Get Your Free Garden Planner →

Free download. Plan your entire garden season in minutes.

Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Sevier County, TN. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.