Frost dates for 37362Old Fort, TN
The average last spring frost in Old Fort is April 7 and the average first fall frost is October 29, giving a typical growing season of about 203 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 7
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 29
- Growing season
- 203 days
Safer after Apr 28 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 13 (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 2 · Apr 20 · May 8 | Oct 5 · Oct 20 · Nov 2 | 181 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 20 · Apr 7 · Apr 28 | Oct 13 · Oct 29 · Nov 12 | 203 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 6 · Mar 27 · Apr 13 | Oct 23 · Nov 8 · Nov 28 | 228 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Old Fort
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 37362 is matched to the NOAA station Soddy Daisy-Mowbray Mtn, TN, 1.4 km away, at 1,700 ft elevation (58 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Soddy Daisy-Mowbray Mtn, TN (used) | 1,700 ft | Apr 7 | Oct 29 |
| Whitwell-Sequatchie Vly, TN | 1,020 ft | Mar 26 | Nov 8 |
| Chattanooga Lovell Ap, TN | 671 ft | Mar 24 | Nov 9 |
| Lookout Mtn-Point Park, TN | 2,110 ft | Mar 31 | Nov 6 |
Frost dates near Old Fort
- Soddy Daisy, TN 37384 · last Mar 24, first Nov 9
- Bakewell, TN 37304 · last Apr 4, first Oct 31
- Hixson, TN 37343 · last Mar 24, first Nov 9
- Signal Mountain, TN 37377 · last Apr 7, first Oct 29
- Dunlap, TN 37327 · last Mar 26, first Nov 8
- Chattanooga, TN 37415 · last Mar 24, first Nov 9
- Sale Creek, TN 37373 · last Apr 4, first Oct 31
- Harrison, TN 37341 · last Mar 24, first Nov 9
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Old Fort, TN?
- For ZIP code 37362, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 7, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Soddy Daisy-Mowbray Mtn, TN weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 28.
- When is the first frost in Old Fort, TN?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 29. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 13, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 37362?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 203 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.