Tennessee planting calendar

When to plant edamame in Tennessee — sow, transplant & harvest dates

Tennessee is mostly USDA zone 7a (range 6a-8a). Dates below are derived from edamame's frost tolerance and Tennessee's frost window — not generic national averages.

Edamame planting timetable for Tennessee

Stage	When in Tennessee	Anchor
Direct-sow outside	late April (April 29)	14 days after the last frost (mid-April)
First harvest (estimate)	mid-July (July 18)	~80 days from direct sow

Dates are state-wide averages for the dominant zone. Local microclimates — elevation, urban heat, coastal moderation — can shift the window by 1-2 weeks. Use the frost-date calculator for a date tuned to your town.

Why Tennessee's climate shifts the edamame dates

Tennessee's last spring frost averages mid-April and first fall frost late October, which sets the whole planting clock. Tennessee has a long, humid, warm season with mild winters. The eastern mountains run a zone cooler than the western lowlands. Wait for warm soil — edamame stall in cold ground even after the air warms, so don't rush them out.

Direct sow after last frost when soil is at least 60 °F (16 °C); seeds rot readily in cold, wet soil. Harvest at the edamame (green-pod) stage 75–90 days from sowing, when pods are plump and bright green — the window is only 5–7 days before beans mature to dry soybeans. Zones 3–4 should select fast-maturing varieties (≤80 days) and use black plastic mulch to warm soil; zones 9–11 can make a second sowing in late summer for fall harvest.

Frost-risk note

Don't plant before mid-April — even a light frost will kill seedlings overnight. In the eastern Appalachian highlands (zone 6a) the safe date runs a week or two later.

Regional variation within Tennessee

the eastern Appalachian highlands (zone 6a) runs roughly 1-2 weeks behind the state average; the western Mississippi lowlands near Memphis (zone 8a) can plant 1-2 weeks earlier.

Nashville — USDA zone 7b
Memphis — USDA zone 8a
Knoxville — USDA zone 7b
Chattanooga — USDA zone 7b

What else to plant in Tennessee around then

Pair the post-frost slot with other warm-season crops — peppers, beans, squash, and cucumbers.

Quick-grow guide

Sun: Full sun — 6+ hours direct.
Soil temperature for germination: 16–35 °C (60–95 °F); optimal 21–32 °C (70–90 °F).
Spacing: 6 inches (15 cm) plants; 18–24 inches (45–60 cm) between rows between plants.
Days to harvest: ~80 days from planting out.

Frequently asked questions

When is the best time to plant edamame in Tennessee?

In Tennessee (mostly USDA zone 7a), direct-sow edamame late April (after the last frost, mid-April), and harvest from mid-July. Edamame are frost-tender — a single light frost kills seedlings, so they only go outside once frost danger has fully passed and the soil is warm.

What USDA zone is Tennessee?

Most of Tennessee sits in USDA hardiness zone 7a, with the state spanning roughly 6a-8a from the eastern Appalachian highlands (zone 6a) to the western Mississippi lowlands near Memphis (zone 8a). The last spring frost averages mid-April and the first fall frost late October.

Can you grow edamame in Tennessee?

Yes. Tennessee's dominant zone 7a supports edamame — the key is timing. Edamame are frost-tender — a single light frost kills seedlings, so they only go outside once frost danger has fully passed and the soil is warm.

Does the planting date change across Tennessee?

the eastern Appalachian highlands (zone 6a) runs roughly 1-2 weeks behind the state average; the western Mississippi lowlands near Memphis (zone 8a) can plant 1-2 weeks earlier.

What else can I plant in Tennessee around the same time?

Pair the post-frost slot with other warm-season crops — peppers, beans, squash, and cucumbers.

Source and methodology

State zone spans from the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023); frost-date averages from NOAA Climate Data Online. Hot-state two-season timing cross-checked against the UF/IFAS Florida Gardening Calendar and the University of Arizona Cooperative Extension planting calendar. Curated by the Growli editorial team.