Frost dates for 37375Sewanee, TN
The average last spring frost in Sewanee is April 2 and the average first fall frost is November 4, giving a typical growing season of about 216 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 2
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 4
- Growing season
- 216 days
Safer after Apr 18 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 22 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 1 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 29 · Apr 13 · Apr 30 | Oct 13 · Oct 25 · Nov 6 | 193 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 16 · Apr 2 · Apr 18 | Oct 22 · Nov 4 · Nov 22 | 216 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 4 · Mar 23 · Apr 7 | Nov 1 · Nov 16 · Dec 5 | 238 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Sewanee
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 2 – May 8 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 18 – Jul 15 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 2 – Apr 2 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 2 – Jun 2 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 19 – Apr 17 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 2 – Jun 2 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 2 – Jul 25 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 18 – Jun 2 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 2 – Jun 2 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 18 – Aug 17 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 18 – Jul 15 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 2 – Jun 2 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 25 – May 18 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 2 – Apr 17 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 2 – May 2 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 19 – Feb 15 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 19 – Apr 17 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 12 – Mar 18 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 19 – Apr 17 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 5 – Jul 15 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 4 – Aug 15 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 2 – Mar 2 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 2 – Apr 2 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 25 – Jul 25 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 25 – Aug 25 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 2 – May 18 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 25 – Sep 10 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 23 – Apr 8 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 11 – Sep 15 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 2 – Apr 22 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 25 – Sep 25 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 19 – Apr 8 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 18 – Aug 25 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 2 – May 18 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 25 – Aug 10 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 25 – Nov 25 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 37375 is matched to the NOAA station Sewanee, TN, 0.5 km away, at 1,928 ft elevation (32 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sewanee, TN (used) | 1,928 ft | Apr 2 | Nov 4 |
| Monteagle, TN | 1,850 ft | Apr 10 | Oct 28 |
| Winchester 5Se, TN | 941 ft | Apr 6 | Oct 29 |
| Coalmont, TN | 1,856 ft | Apr 21 | Oct 20 |
Frost dates near Sewanee
- Sewanee, TN 37383 · last Apr 2, first Nov 4
- Monteagle, TN 37356 · last Apr 10, first Oct 28
- Cowan, TN 37318 · last Apr 6, first Oct 29
- Decherd, TN 37324 · last Apr 6, first Oct 29
- Pelham, TN 37366 · last Apr 6, first Oct 29
- Sherwood, TN 37376 · last Apr 2, first Nov 4
- Tracy City, TN 37387 · last Apr 21, first Oct 20
- Winchester, TN 37398 · last Apr 6, first Oct 29
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Sewanee, TN?
- For ZIP code 37375, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 2, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Sewanee, TN weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 18.
- When is the first frost in Sewanee, TN?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 4. 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 37375?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 216 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.