Frost dates for 37211Nashville, TN
The average last spring frost in Nashville is March 31 and the average first fall frost is November 3, giving a typical growing season of about 217 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 31
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 3
- Growing season
- 217 days
Safer after Apr 16 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 22 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 0 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) | Mar 27 · Apr 11 · Apr 28 | Oct 13 · Oct 25 · Nov 6 | 196 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 13 · Mar 31 · Apr 16 | Oct 22 · Nov 3 · Nov 18 | 217 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Feb 28 · Mar 17 · Apr 4 | Nov 2 · Nov 15 · Dec 3 | 243 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 | Feb 28 – May 6 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 16 – Jul 14 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Feb 28 – Mar 31 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Apr 30 – May 31 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 17 – Apr 15 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Apr 30 – May 31 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Apr 30 – Jul 24 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 16 – May 31 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 30 – May 31 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 16 – Aug 16 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 16 – Jul 14 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Apr 30 – May 31 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 23 – May 16 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 28 – Apr 15 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Feb 28 – Apr 30 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 17 – Feb 13 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 17 – Apr 15 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 10 – Mar 16 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 17 – Apr 15 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 4 – Jul 14 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 3 – Aug 14 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 31 – Feb 28 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 28 – Mar 31 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 24 – Jul 24 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 24 – Aug 24 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 28 – May 16 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 24 – Sep 9 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 21 – Apr 6 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 10 – Sep 14 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 28 – Apr 20 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 24 – Sep 24 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 17 – Apr 6 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 17 – Aug 24 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 31 – May 16 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 24 – Aug 9 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 24 – Nov 24 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 37211 is matched to the NOAA station Nashville Intl Ap, TN, 6 km away, at 600 ft elevation (78 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nashville Intl Ap, TN (used) | 600 ft | Mar 31 | Nov 3 |
| Nashville Berry Fld, TN | 560 ft | Apr 4 | Oct 31 |
| Brentwood, TN | 707 ft | Apr 15 | Oct 26 |
| Shelby Bottoms Nature, TN | 405 ft | Apr 1 | Oct 31 |
Frost dates near Nashville
- Nashville, TN 37220 · last Mar 31, first Nov 3
- Antioch, TN 37011 · last Mar 31, first Nov 3
- Brentwood, TN 37024 · last Apr 3, first Oct 31
- Madison, TN 37116 · last Mar 31, first Nov 3
- La Vergne, TN 37086 · last Apr 16, first Oct 21
- Nolensville, TN 37135 · last Apr 3, first Oct 31
- Hermitage, TN 37076 · last Apr 1, first Nov 4
- Franklin, TN 37067 · last Apr 3, first Oct 31
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Nashville, TN?
- For ZIP code 37211, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 31, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Nashville Intl Ap, TN weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 16.
- When is the first frost in Nashville, TN?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 3. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 22, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 37211?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 217 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.