Frost dates for 37162Shelbyville, TN
The average last spring frost in Shelbyville is April 7 and the average first fall frost is October 29, giving a typical growing season of about 204 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 7
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 29
- Growing season
- 204 days
Safer after Apr 23 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 16 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 155 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 4 · Apr 20 · May 5 | Oct 7 · Oct 20 · Nov 1 | 183 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 19 · Apr 7 · Apr 23 | Oct 16 · Oct 29 · Nov 11 | 204 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 6 · Mar 27 · Apr 12 | Oct 26 · Nov 6 · Nov 25 | 226 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Shelbyville
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 7 – May 13 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 23 – Jul 9 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 7 – Apr 7 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 7 – Jun 7 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 24 – Apr 22 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 7 – Jun 7 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 7 – Jul 19 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 23 – Jun 7 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 7 – Jun 7 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 23 – Aug 11 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 23 – Jul 9 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 7 – Jun 7 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 30 – May 23 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 7 – Apr 22 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 7 – May 7 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 24 – Feb 20 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 24 – Apr 22 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 17 – Mar 23 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 24 – Apr 22 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 29 – Jul 9 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 29 – Aug 9 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 7 – Mar 7 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 7 – Apr 7 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 19 – Jul 19 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 19 – Aug 19 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 7 – May 23 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 19 – Sep 4 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 28 – Apr 13 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 5 – Sep 9 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 7 – Apr 27 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 19 – Sep 19 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 24 – Apr 13 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 12 – Aug 19 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 7 – May 23 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 19 – Aug 4 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 19 – Nov 19 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 37162 is matched to the NOAA station Shelbyville Water Dept, TN, 3.2 km away, at 760 ft elevation (100 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shelbyville Water Dept, TN (used) | 760 ft | Apr 7 | Oct 29 |
| Wartrace 6E, TN | 1,014 ft | Apr 1 | Nov 2 |
| Christiana 5W, TN | 750 ft | Apr 14 | Oct 25 |
| Lynchburg, TN | 810 ft | Apr 15 | Oct 25 |
Frost dates near Shelbyville
- Shelbyville, TN 37160 · last Apr 7, first Oct 29
- Wartrace, TN 37183 · last Apr 7, first Oct 29
- Bell Buckle, TN 37020 · last Apr 14, first Oct 25
- Unionville, TN 37180 · last Apr 14, first Oct 25
- Fosterville, TN 37063 · last Apr 14, first Oct 25
- Normandy, TN 37360 · last Apr 6, first Oct 30
- Christiana, TN 37037 · last Apr 14, first Oct 25
- Chapel Hill, TN 37034 · last Apr 14, first Oct 25
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Shelbyville, TN?
- For ZIP code 37162, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 7, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Shelbyville Water Dept, TN weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 23.
- When is the first frost in Shelbyville, TN?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 29. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 16, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 37162?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 204 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.