Frost dates for 37847Pioneer, TN
The average last spring frost in Pioneer is April 23 and the average first fall frost is October 18, giving a typical growing season of about 177 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 23
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 18
- Growing season
- 177 days
Safer after May 12 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 5 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 171 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 20 · May 6 · May 22 | Sep 28 · Oct 10 · Oct 21 | 158 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 6 · Apr 23 · May 12 | Oct 5 · Oct 18 · Oct 30 | 177 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 23 · Apr 7 · Apr 30 | Oct 13 · Oct 27 · Nov 9 | 201 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Pioneer
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 23 – May 29 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 9 – Jun 28 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 23 – Apr 23 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 23 – Jun 23 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 9 – May 8 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 23 – Jun 23 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 23 – Jul 8 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 9 – Jun 23 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 23 – Jun 23 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 9 – Jul 31 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 9 – Jun 28 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 23 – Jun 23 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 16 – Jun 8 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 23 – May 8 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 23 – May 23 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 9 – Mar 8 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 9 – May 8 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 5 – Apr 8 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 9 – May 8 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 18 – Jun 28 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 18 – Jul 29 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 23 – Mar 23 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 23 – Apr 23 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 8 – Jul 8 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 8 – Aug 8 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 23 – Jun 8 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 8 – Aug 24 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 16 – Apr 29 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 25 – Aug 29 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 23 – May 13 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 8 – Sep 8 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 9 – Apr 29 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 1 – Aug 8 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 23 – Jun 8 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 8 – Jul 24 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 8 – Nov 8 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 37847 is matched to the NOAA station Oneida, TN, 21.8 km away, at 1,440 ft elevation (39 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oneida, TN (used) | 1,440 ft | Apr 23 | Oct 18 |
| Newcomb, TN | 1,014 ft | Apr 18 | Oct 24 |
| Stearns 2S, KY | 1,220 ft | Apr 24 | Oct 18 |
| Williamsburg, KY | 940 ft | Apr 21 | Oct 22 |
Frost dates near Pioneer
- Newcomb, TN 37819 · last Apr 18, first Oct 24
- Huntsville, TN 37756 · last Apr 23, first Oct 18
- Winfield, TN 37892 · last Apr 23, first Oct 18
- Jacksboro, TN 37757 · last Apr 22, first Oct 25
- La Follette, TN 37766 · last Apr 18, first Oct 24
- Jellico, TN 37762 · last Apr 18, first Oct 24
- Caryville, TN 37714 · last Apr 22, first Oct 25
- Strunk, KY 42649 · last Apr 24, first Oct 18
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Pioneer, TN?
- For ZIP code 37847, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 23, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Oneida, TN weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 12.
- When is the first frost in Pioneer, TN?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 18. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 5, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 37847?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 177 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.