Frost dates for 38042Hickory Valley, TN
The average last spring frost in Hickory Valley is April 1 and the average first fall frost is November 3, giving a typical growing season of about 217 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 1
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 3
- Growing season
- 217 days
Safer after Apr 17 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 21 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 0 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 26 · Apr 12 · Apr 27 | Oct 12 · Oct 25 · Nov 6 | 195 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 12 · Apr 1 · Apr 17 | Oct 21 · Nov 3 · Nov 19 | 217 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Feb 25 · Mar 17 · Apr 5 | Nov 1 · Nov 14 · Dec 3 | 243 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Hickory Valley
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 1 – May 7 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 17 – Jul 14 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 1 – Apr 1 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 1 – Jun 1 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 18 – Apr 16 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 1 – Jun 1 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 1 – Jul 24 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 17 – Jun 1 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 1 – Jun 1 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 17 – Aug 16 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 17 – Jul 14 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 1 – Jun 1 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 24 – May 17 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 1 – Apr 16 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 1 – May 1 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 18 – Feb 14 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 18 – Apr 16 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 11 – Mar 17 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 18 – Apr 16 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 4 – Jul 14 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 3 – Aug 14 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 1 – Mar 1 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 1 – Apr 1 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 24 – Jul 24 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 24 – Aug 24 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 1 – May 17 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 24 – Sep 9 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 22 – Apr 7 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 10 – Sep 14 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 1 – Apr 21 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 24 – Sep 24 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 18 – Apr 7 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 17 – Aug 24 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 1 – May 17 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 24 – Aug 9 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 24 – Nov 24 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 38042 is matched to the NOAA station Ames Plantation, TN, 8.9 km away, at 460 ft elevation (94 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ames Plantation, TN (used) | 460 ft | Apr 1 | Nov 3 |
| Bolivar Wtr Wks, TN | 455 ft | Apr 3 | Oct 30 |
| Moscow, TN | 335 ft | Mar 29 | Nov 3 |
| Ashland, MS | 603 ft | Mar 29 | Nov 6 |
Frost dates near Hickory Valley
- Saulsbury, TN 38067 · last Apr 1, first Nov 3
- Grand Junction, TN 38039 · last Apr 1, first Nov 3
- Bolivar, TN 38008 · last Apr 3, first Oct 30
- La Grange, TN 38046 · last Apr 1, first Nov 3
- Laconia, TN 38045 · last Apr 1, first Nov 3
- Whiteville, TN 38075 · last Apr 3, first Oct 30
- Williston, TN 38076 · last Apr 1, first Nov 3
- Middleton, TN 38052 · last Apr 3, first Oct 30
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Hickory Valley, TN?
- For ZIP code 38042, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 1, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Ames Plantation, TN weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 17.
- When is the first frost in Hickory Valley, TN?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 3. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 21, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 38042?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 217 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.