Frost dates for 37331Etowah, TN
The average last spring frost in Etowah is April 6 and the average first fall frost is October 31, 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
- Oct 31
- Growing season
- 208 days
Safer after Apr 24 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 20 (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 4 · Apr 20 · May 5 | Oct 10 · Oct 23 · Nov 3 | 186 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 20 · Apr 6 · Apr 24 | Oct 20 · Oct 31 · Nov 13 | 208 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 6 · Mar 27 · Apr 10 | Oct 30 · Nov 10 · Nov 29 | 230 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Etowah
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 11 |
| 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 21 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 22 – Jun 6 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 6 – Jun 6 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 22 – Aug 13 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 22 – Jul 11 |
| 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 1 – Jul 11 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 31 – Aug 11 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 6 – Mar 6 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 6 – Apr 6 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 21 – Jul 21 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 21 – Aug 21 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 6 – May 22 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 21 – Sep 6 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 27 – Apr 12 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 7 – Sep 11 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 6 – Apr 26 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 21 – Sep 21 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 23 – Apr 12 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 14 – Aug 21 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 6 – May 22 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 21 – Aug 6 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 21 – Nov 21 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 37331 is matched to the NOAA station Athens, TN, 12.3 km away, at 940 ft elevation (107 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Athens, TN (used) | 940 ft | Apr 6 | Oct 31 |
| Tellico Plains, TN | 910 ft | Apr 13 | Oct 24 |
| Cleveland Fltr Plt, TN | 842 ft | Apr 6 | Oct 30 |
| Decatur 7Ne, TN | 750 ft | Apr 10 | Oct 27 |
Frost dates near Etowah
- Delano, TN 37325 · last Apr 6, first Oct 30
- Englewood, TN 37329 · last Apr 6, first Oct 31
- Athens, TN 37371 · last Apr 6, first Oct 31
- Riceville, TN 37370 · last Apr 6, first Oct 31
- Reliance, TN 37369 · last Apr 22, first Oct 20
- Calhoun, TN 37309 · last Apr 6, first Oct 30
- Tellico Plains, TN 37385 · last Apr 13, first Oct 24
- Benton, TN 37307 · last Apr 6, first Oct 30
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Etowah, TN?
- For ZIP code 37331, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 6, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Athens, TN weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 24.
- When is the first frost in Etowah, TN?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 31. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 20, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 37331?
- 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.