Frost dates for 37056Dickson, TN
The average last spring frost in Dickson is April 13 and the average first fall frost is October 25, giving a typical growing season of about 195 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 13
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 25
- Growing season
- 195 days
Safer after Apr 30 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 12 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 161 days
Frost risk by date
NOAA reports frost dates as probabilities. The middle date is the average (a 50% chance). For spring, the 10% date is a safer planting date: frost after it happens in about 1 year in 10. Light frost (36°F) can damage tender plants; a hard freeze (28°F) kills most annuals.
| Temperature | Last spring: 90% / 50% / 10% chance | First fall: 10% / 50% / 90% chance | Growing season (50%) | Years with at least one |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Light frost (36°F) | Apr 9 · Apr 25 · May 10 | Oct 4 · Oct 17 · Oct 28 | 174 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 27 · Apr 13 · Apr 30 | Oct 12 · Oct 25 · Nov 6 | 195 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 11 · Mar 31 · Apr 17 | Oct 22 · Nov 3 · Nov 18 | 217 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Dickson
Planting windows from the University of Maryland Extension calendar, shifted to your average frost dates. Use them as a starting point and adjust for seed packet instructions and local conditions.
| Crop | Task | Window |
|---|---|---|
| Tomatoes | Start seeds indoors | Mar 13 – May 19 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 29 – Jul 5 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 13 – Apr 13 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 13 – Jun 13 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 30 – Apr 28 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 13 – Jun 13 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 13 – Jul 15 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 29 – Jun 13 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 13 – Jun 13 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 29 – Aug 7 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 29 – Jul 5 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 13 – Jun 13 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 6 – May 29 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 13 – Apr 28 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 13 – May 13 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 30 – Feb 26 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 30 – Apr 28 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 23 – Mar 29 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 30 – Apr 28 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 25 – Jul 5 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 25 – Aug 5 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 13 – Mar 13 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 13 – Apr 13 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 15 – Jul 15 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 15 – Aug 15 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 13 – May 29 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 15 – Aug 31 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 6 – Apr 19 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 1 – Sep 5 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 13 – May 3 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 15 – Sep 15 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 30 – Apr 19 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 8 – Aug 15 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 13 – May 29 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 15 – Jul 31 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 15 – Nov 15 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 37056 is matched to the NOAA station Dickson, TN, 8.9 km away, at 780 ft elevation (42 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dickson, TN (used) | 780 ft | Apr 13 | Oct 25 |
| Montgomery Bell Sp, TN | 600 ft | Apr 16 | Oct 26 |
| Charlotte, TN | 694 ft | Apr 11 | Oct 26 |
| Kingston Springs, TN | 517 ft | Apr 13 | Oct 25 |
Frost dates near Dickson
- Dickson, TN 37055 · last Apr 13, first Oct 25
- Charlotte, TN 37036 · last Apr 16, first Oct 26
- Burns, TN 37029 · last Apr 13, first Oct 25
- White Bluff, TN 37187 · last Apr 16, first Oct 26
- Vanleer, TN 37181 · last Apr 13, first Oct 25
- Cumberland Furnace, TN 37051 · last Apr 16, first Oct 26
- Slayden, TN 37165 · last Apr 13, first Oct 25
- Kingston Springs, TN 37082 · last Apr 13, first Oct 25
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Dickson, TN?
- For ZIP code 37056, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 13, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Dickson, TN weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 30.
- When is the first frost in Dickson, TN?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 25. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 12, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 37056?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 195 days long.
- Are these frost dates a forecast?
- No. They are 30-year averages and probabilities from NOAA weather station records. Use them to plan, then watch your local forecast before planting tender crops or leaving them uncovered.