Frost dates for 37118Milton, TN
The average last spring frost in Milton is April 17 and the average first fall frost is October 21, giving a typical growing season of about 184 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 17
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 21
- Growing season
- 184 days
Safer after May 2 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 8 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 165 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 15 · Apr 30 · May 14 | Sep 30 · Oct 12 · Oct 25 | 163 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 3 · Apr 17 · May 2 | Oct 8 · Oct 21 · Nov 3 | 184 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 19 · Apr 5 · Apr 21 | Oct 16 · Oct 29 · Nov 11 | 205 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Milton
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 17 – May 23 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 3 – Jul 1 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 17 – Apr 17 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 17 – Jun 17 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 3 – May 2 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 17 – Jun 17 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 17 – Jul 11 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 3 – Jun 17 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 17 – Jun 17 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 3 – Aug 3 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 3 – Jul 1 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 17 – Jun 17 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 10 – Jun 2 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 17 – May 2 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 17 – May 17 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 3 – Mar 2 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 3 – May 2 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 27 – Apr 2 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 3 – May 2 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 21 – Jul 1 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 21 – Aug 1 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 17 – Mar 17 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 17 – Apr 17 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 11 – Jul 11 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 11 – Aug 11 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 17 – Jun 2 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 11 – Aug 27 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 10 – Apr 23 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 28 – Sep 1 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 17 – May 7 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 11 – Sep 11 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 3 – Apr 23 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 4 – Aug 11 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 17 – Jun 2 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 11 – Jul 27 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 11 – Nov 11 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 37118 is matched to the NOAA station Woodbury 1 Wnw, TN, 12.6 km away, at 750 ft elevation (15 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Woodbury 1 Wnw, TN (used) | 750 ft | Apr 17 | Oct 21 |
| Murfreesboro 5 N, TN | 535 ft | Apr 9 | Oct 27 |
| Gladeville, TN | 600 ft | Apr 16 | Oct 21 |
| Smyrna 6S, TN | 550 ft | Apr 13 | Oct 21 |
Frost dates near Milton
- Auburntown, TN 37016 · last Apr 17, first Oct 21
- Lascassas, TN 37085 · last Apr 9, first Oct 27
- Readyville, TN 37149 · last Apr 17, first Oct 21
- Woodbury, TN 37190 · last Apr 17, first Oct 21
- Watertown, TN 37184 · last Apr 16, first Oct 21
- Murfreesboro, TN 37130 · last Apr 9, first Oct 27
- Alexandria, TN 37012 · last Apr 3, first Nov 4
- Liberty, TN 37095 · last Apr 3, first Nov 4
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Milton, TN?
- For ZIP code 37118, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 17, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Woodbury 1 Wnw, TN weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 2.
- When is the first frost in Milton, TN?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 21. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 8, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 37118?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 184 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.