Frost dates for 38305Jackson, TN
The average last spring frost in Jackson is April 4 and the average first fall frost is October 30, giving a typical growing season of about 208 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 4
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 30
- Growing season
- 208 days
Safer after Apr 21 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 18 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 152 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 31 · Apr 16 · May 1 | Oct 10 · Oct 22 · Nov 3 | 189 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 18 · Apr 4 · Apr 21 | Oct 18 · Oct 30 · Nov 13 | 208 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 4 · Mar 24 · Apr 11 | Oct 27 · Nov 8 · Nov 28 | 229 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Jackson
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 4 – May 10 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 20 – Jul 10 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 4 – Apr 4 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 4 – Jun 4 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 21 – Apr 19 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 4 – Jun 4 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 4 – Jul 20 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 20 – Jun 4 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 4 – Jun 4 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 20 – Aug 12 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 20 – Jul 10 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 4 – Jun 4 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 27 – May 20 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 4 – Apr 19 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 4 – May 4 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 21 – Feb 17 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 21 – Apr 19 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 14 – Mar 20 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 21 – Apr 19 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 30 – Jul 10 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 30 – Aug 10 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 4 – Mar 4 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 4 – Apr 4 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 20 – Jul 20 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 20 – Aug 20 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 4 – May 20 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 20 – Sep 5 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 25 – Apr 10 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 6 – Sep 10 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 4 – Apr 24 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 20 – Sep 20 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 21 – Apr 10 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 13 – Aug 20 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 4 – May 20 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 20 – Aug 5 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 20 – Nov 20 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 38305 is matched to the NOAA station Jackson 4 Ne, TN, 3.1 km away, at 430 ft elevation (59 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jackson 4 Ne, TN (used) | 430 ft | Apr 4 | Oct 30 |
| Jackson Exp Stn, TN | 400 ft | Apr 2 | Oct 29 |
| Jackson Mckellar Ap, TN | 433 ft | Apr 5 | Oct 29 |
| Henderson 4 W, TN | 460 ft | Apr 10 | Oct 25 |
Frost dates near Jackson
- Oakfield, TN 38362 · last Apr 4, first Oct 30
- Jackson, TN 38302 · last Apr 2, first Oct 29
- Medina, TN 38355 · last Apr 4, first Oct 30
- Spring Creek, TN 38378 · last Apr 4, first Oct 30
- Gadsden, TN 38337 · last Mar 28, first Nov 4
- Humboldt, TN 38343 · last Apr 4, first Oct 30
- Denmark, TN 38391 · last Apr 5, first Oct 29
- Beech Bluff, TN 38313 · last Apr 2, first Oct 29
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Jackson, TN?
- For ZIP code 38305, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 4, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Jackson 4 Ne, TN weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 21.
- When is the first frost in Jackson, TN?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 30. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 18, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 38305?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 208 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.