Frost dates for 37409Chattanooga, TN
The average last spring frost in Chattanooga is March 24 and the average first fall frost is November 9, giving a typical growing season of about 230 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 24
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 9
- Growing season
- 230 days
Safer after Apr 8 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 27 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 6 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 19 · Apr 4 · Apr 20 | Oct 19 · Oct 31 · Nov 11 | 208 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 6 · Mar 24 · Apr 8 | Oct 27 · Nov 9 · Nov 26 | 230 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Feb 18 · Mar 11 · Mar 30 | Nov 6 · Nov 22 · Dec 13 | 257 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Chattanooga
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 21 – Apr 29 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 9 – Jul 20 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Feb 21 – Mar 24 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Apr 23 – May 24 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 10 – Apr 8 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Apr 23 – May 24 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Apr 23 – Jul 30 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 9 – May 24 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 23 – May 24 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 9 – Aug 22 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 9 – Jul 20 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Apr 23 – May 24 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 16 – May 9 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 21 – Apr 8 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Feb 21 – Apr 23 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 10 – Feb 6 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 10 – Apr 8 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 3 – Mar 9 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 10 – Apr 8 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 10 – Jul 20 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 9 – Aug 20 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 24 – Feb 21 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 21 – Mar 24 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 30 – Jul 30 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 30 – Aug 30 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 21 – May 9 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 30 – Sep 15 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 14 – Mar 30 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 16 – Sep 20 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 21 – Apr 13 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 30 – Sep 30 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 10 – Mar 30 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 23 – Aug 30 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 24 – May 9 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 30 – Aug 15 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 30 – Nov 30 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 37409 is matched to the NOAA station Chattanooga Lovell Ap, TN, 12.4 km away, at 671 ft elevation (100 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chattanooga Lovell Ap, TN (used) | 671 ft | Mar 24 | Nov 9 |
| Lookout Mtn-Point Park, TN | 2,110 ft | Mar 31 | Nov 6 |
| Chickamauga Pk Larc, GA | 782 ft | Apr 6 | Oct 30 |
| Chickamauga 2 Sw, GA | 799 ft | Mar 25 | Nov 9 |
Frost dates near Chattanooga
- Chattanooga, TN 37410 · last Mar 24, first Nov 9
- Lookout Mountain, TN 37350 · last Mar 31, first Nov 6
- Rossville, GA 30741 · last Mar 25, first Nov 9
- Flintstone, GA 30725 · last Mar 25, first Nov 9
- Wildwood, GA 30757 · last Mar 25, first Nov 9
- Fort Oglethorpe, GA 30742 · last Mar 24, first Nov 9
- Lupton City, TN 37351 · last Mar 24, first Nov 9
- Whiteside, TN 37396 · last Mar 25, first Nov 9
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Chattanooga, TN?
- For ZIP code 37409, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 24, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Chattanooga Lovell Ap, TN weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 8.
- When is the first frost in Chattanooga, TN?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 9. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 27, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 37409?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 230 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.