Frost dates for 38328Darden, TN
The average last spring frost in Darden is April 5 and the average first fall frost is October 29, giving a typical growing season of about 208 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 5
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 29
- Growing season
- 208 days
Safer after Apr 20 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 16 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 153 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 2 · Apr 16 · Apr 30 | Oct 9 · Oct 21 · Nov 2 | 187 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 17 · Apr 5 · Apr 20 | Oct 16 · Oct 29 · Nov 12 | 208 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Feb 28 · Mar 20 · Apr 8 | Oct 25 · Nov 8 · Nov 27 | 233 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Darden
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 5 – May 11 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 21 – Jul 9 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 5 – Apr 5 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 5 – Jun 5 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 22 – Apr 20 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 5 – Jun 5 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 5 – Jul 19 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 21 – Jun 5 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 5 – Jun 5 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 21 – Aug 11 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 21 – Jul 9 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 5 – Jun 5 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 28 – May 21 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 5 – Apr 20 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 5 – May 5 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 22 – Feb 18 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 22 – Apr 20 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 15 – Mar 21 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 22 – Apr 20 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 29 – Jul 9 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 29 – Aug 9 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 5 – Mar 5 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 5 – Apr 5 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 19 – Jul 19 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 19 – Aug 19 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 5 – May 21 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 19 – Sep 4 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 26 – Apr 11 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 5 – Sep 9 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 5 – Apr 25 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 19 – Sep 19 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 22 – Apr 11 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 12 – Aug 19 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 5 – May 21 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 19 – Aug 4 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 19 – Nov 19 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 38328 is matched to the NOAA station Parsons Wtp, TN, 10.7 km away, at 410 ft elevation (16 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parsons Wtp, TN (used) | 410 ft | Apr 5 | Oct 29 |
| Decaturville, TN | 495 ft | Apr 4 | Oct 30 |
| Lexington, TN | 540 ft | Apr 5 | Oct 30 |
| Mousetail Landing Sp, TN | 450 ft | Apr 7 | Oct 29 |
Frost dates near Darden
- Parsons, TN 38363 · last Apr 5, first Oct 29
- Decaturville, TN 38329 · last Apr 5, first Oct 29
- Lexington, TN 38351 · last Apr 5, first Oct 30
- Scotts Hill, TN 38374 · last Apr 5, first Oct 29
- Reagan, TN 38368 · last Apr 5, first Oct 30
- Sugar Tree, TN 38380 · last Apr 13, first Oct 24
- Wildersville, TN 38388 · last Apr 5, first Oct 30
- Bath Springs, TN 38311 · last Apr 5, first Oct 29
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Darden, TN?
- For ZIP code 38328, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 5, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Parsons Wtp, TN weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 20.
- When is the first frost in Darden, TN?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 29. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 16, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 38328?
- 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.