Frost dates for 37179Thompsons Station, TN
The average last spring frost in Thompsons Station is April 5 and the average first fall frost is October 29, giving a typical growing season of about 208 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 5
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 29
- Growing season
- 208 days
Safer after Apr 22 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 16 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 153 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 1 · Apr 17 · May 2 | Oct 8 · Oct 20 · Nov 1 | 185 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 17 · Apr 5 · Apr 22 | Oct 16 · Oct 29 · Nov 10 | 208 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 2 · Mar 22 · Apr 10 | Oct 26 · Nov 8 · Nov 29 | 231 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Thompsons Station
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 5 – May 11 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 21 – Jul 9 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 5 – Apr 5 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 5 – Jun 5 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 22 – Apr 20 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 5 – Jun 5 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 5 – Jul 19 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 21 – Jun 5 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 5 – Jun 5 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 21 – Aug 11 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 21 – Jul 9 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 5 – Jun 5 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 28 – May 21 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 5 – Apr 20 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 5 – May 5 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 22 – Feb 18 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 22 – Apr 20 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 15 – Mar 21 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 22 – Apr 20 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 29 – Jul 9 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 29 – Aug 9 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 5 – Mar 5 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 5 – Apr 5 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 19 – Jul 19 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 19 – Aug 19 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 5 – May 21 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 19 – Sep 4 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 26 – Apr 11 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 5 – Sep 9 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 5 – Apr 25 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 19 – Sep 19 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 22 – Apr 11 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 12 – Aug 19 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 5 – May 21 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 19 – Aug 4 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 19 – Nov 19 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 37179 is matched to the NOAA station Neapolis Res & Edu Stn, TN, 12 km away, at 700 ft elevation (104 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Neapolis Res & Edu Stn, TN (used) | 700 ft | Apr 5 | Oct 29 |
| Thompson Stn, TN | 775 ft | Apr 3 | Nov 1 |
| Franklin Sewage Plt, TN | 655 ft | Apr 3 | Oct 31 |
| Brentwood, TN | 707 ft | Apr 15 | Oct 26 |
Frost dates near Thompsons Station
- Franklin, TN 37068 · last Apr 3, first Oct 31
- Spring Hill, TN 37174 · last Apr 5, first Oct 29
- College Grove, TN 37046 · last Apr 5, first Oct 29
- Arrington, TN 37014 · last Apr 14, first Oct 25
- Nolensville, TN 37135 · last Apr 3, first Oct 31
- Brentwood, TN 37027 · last Apr 3, first Oct 31
- Santa Fe, TN 38482 · last Apr 10, first Oct 27
- Eagleville, TN 37060 · last Apr 14, first Oct 25
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Thompsons Station, TN?
- For ZIP code 37179, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 5, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Neapolis Res & Edu Stn, TN weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 22.
- When is the first frost in Thompsons Station, 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 37179?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 208 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.