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Frost Dates in Tennessee
First and last frost dates across Tennessee, computed from 68 NOAA weather stations (1991–2020 climate normals). Your exact date depends on your city and microclimate — use the ZIP lookup on the main tool for a station-specific answer.
Last spring frost
Apr 7
statewide median · range Mar 16–Apr 27
First fall frost
Oct 29
statewide median · range Oct 14–Nov 16
Growing season
205 days
median · range 170–244
Stations used
68
NOAA 1991–2020 normals
Frost dates by city
Median dates from the nearest NOAA station to each city. The "cautious" date is the 10% spring value — planting after it means only a ~10% chance of a later frost.
| City | Nearest station | Last spring frost | First fall frost | Growing season | Safe transplant |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nashville | Nashville Intl Ap · 6 mi | Mar 31 (cautious: Apr 16) | Nov 3 | 217 days | Apr 14 |
| Memphis | Memphis Intl Ap · 7 mi | Mar 16 (cautious: Apr 4) | Nov 16 | 244 days | Mar 30 |
| Knoxville | Knoxville Ap · 10 mi | Apr 1 (cautious: Apr 17) | Nov 2 | 215 days | Apr 15 |
How frost varies across Tennessee
Spring frost timing spans about 42 days across the state. Memphis in southwestern Tennessee typically sees its last spring frost around March 16, while Mtn City 2 in northeastern Tennessee doesn't clear frost until about April 27. Within any city, low spots and valleys run colder than the station average; areas near buildings and pavement run warmer.
When to plant in Tennessee
As a rule of thumb, cool-season crops (lettuce, peas, spinach) can go in 2–4 weeks before your last spring frost; warm-season transplants (tomatoes, peppers) should wait about 2 weeks after it — around April 21 for the statewide median. Check your city's row above rather than the statewide median: a 42-day statewide spread makes the city-level date the one that matters.
These are climate normals (what's typical), not forecasts. For the current year, watch the 10-day forecast around your planting date.
How this is computed
Statewide medians are the median of the 68 NOAA stations' median frost dates — half the stations run earlier, half later. City rows use the nearest station with 30-year freeze records. Dates are 32°F freeze probabilities from NOAA NCEI 1991–2020 U.S. Climate Normals; nothing is estimated or interpolated.
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Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost date in Tennessee?
The statewide median last spring frost is April 7, but it ranges from March 16 to April 27 depending on where in the state you are. Use your city's row in the table above, or the ZIP lookup on the main tool, for a station-specific date.
When can I plant tomatoes outside in Tennessee?
Warm-season transplants like tomatoes should wait about two weeks after your last spring frost — around April 21 for the statewide median. Your city may differ by weeks; check the "safe transplant" column in the city table.
How long is the growing season in Tennessee?
The median growing season across 68 NOAA stations is 205 days, ranging from 170 to 244 days by location.
Why do frost dates vary so much within Tennessee?
Frost timing follows latitude, elevation, and local terrain. Across Tennessee, last spring frost dates span about 42 days — from around March 16 near Memphis to April 27 near Mtn City 2. Microclimates (low spots, valleys, urban heat) shift dates further at the garden level.
Where does this data come from?
All frost dates are computed from the NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information 1991–2020 U.S. Climate Normals freeze data (public domain), using each station's 32°F freeze probability statistics. No dates are estimated or interpolated.