Frost dates for 37209Nashville, TN
The average last spring frost in Nashville is April 6 and the average first fall frost is November 1, giving a typical growing season of about 208 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 6
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 1
- Growing season
- 208 days
Safer after Apr 25 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 19 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 154 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 2 · Apr 20 · May 7 | Oct 9 · Oct 22 · Nov 2 | 187 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 19 · Apr 6 · Apr 25 | Oct 19 · Nov 1 · Nov 13 | 208 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 6 · Mar 25 · Apr 9 | Oct 28 · Nov 10 · Nov 28 | 230 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Nashville
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 6 – May 12 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 22 – Jul 12 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 6 – Apr 6 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 6 – Jun 6 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 23 – Apr 21 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 6 – Jun 6 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 6 – Jul 22 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 22 – Jun 6 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 6 – Jun 6 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 22 – Aug 14 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 22 – Jul 12 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 6 – Jun 6 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 29 – May 22 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 6 – Apr 21 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 6 – May 6 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 23 – Feb 19 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 23 – Apr 21 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 16 – Mar 22 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 23 – Apr 21 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 2 – Jul 12 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 1 – Aug 12 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 6 – Mar 6 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 6 – Apr 6 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 22 – Jul 22 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 22 – Aug 22 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 6 – May 22 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 22 – Sep 7 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 27 – Apr 12 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 8 – Sep 12 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 6 – Apr 26 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 22 – Sep 22 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 23 – Apr 12 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 15 – Aug 22 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 6 – May 22 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 22 – Aug 7 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 22 – Nov 22 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 37209 is matched to the NOAA station Warner Park, TN, 11.2 km away, at 625 ft elevation (166 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Warner Park, TN (used) | 625 ft | Apr 6 | Nov 1 |
| Shelby Bottoms Nature, TN | 405 ft | Apr 1 | Oct 31 |
| Nashville Intl Ap, TN | 600 ft | Mar 31 | Nov 3 |
| Nashville Berry Fld, TN | 560 ft | Apr 4 | Oct 31 |
Frost dates near Nashville
- Nashville, TN 37205 · last Apr 6, first Nov 1
- Madison, TN 37116 · last Mar 31, first Nov 3
- Whites Creek, TN 37189 · last Mar 31, first Nov 3
- Brentwood, TN 37024 · last Apr 3, first Oct 31
- Pegram, TN 37143 · last Apr 13, first Oct 25
- Antioch, TN 37011 · last Mar 31, first Nov 3
- Franklin, TN 37069 · last Apr 3, first Oct 31
- Joelton, TN 37080 · last Apr 9, first Oct 28
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Nashville, TN?
- For ZIP code 37209, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 6, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Warner Park, TN weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 25.
- When is the first frost in Nashville, TN?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 1. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 19, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 37209?
- 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.