Frost dates for 38337Gadsden, TN
The average last spring frost in Gadsden is March 28 and the average first fall frost is November 4, giving a typical growing season of about 220 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 28
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 4
- Growing season
- 220 days
Safer after Apr 12 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 22 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 1 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 23 · Apr 7 · Apr 22 | Oct 12 · Oct 25 · Nov 6 | 200 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 11 · Mar 28 · Apr 12 | Oct 22 · Nov 4 · Nov 20 | 220 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Feb 26 · Mar 16 · Apr 3 | Nov 1 · Nov 15 · Dec 4 | 245 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Gadsden
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 25 – May 3 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 13 – Jul 15 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Feb 25 – Mar 28 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Apr 27 – May 28 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 14 – Apr 12 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Apr 27 – May 28 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Apr 27 – Jul 25 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 13 – May 28 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 27 – May 28 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 13 – Aug 17 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 13 – Jul 15 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Apr 27 – May 28 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 20 – May 13 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 25 – Apr 12 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Feb 25 – Apr 27 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 14 – Feb 10 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 14 – Apr 12 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 7 – Mar 13 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 14 – Apr 12 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 5 – Jul 15 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 4 – Aug 15 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 28 – Feb 25 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 25 – Mar 28 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 25 – Jul 25 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 25 – Aug 25 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 25 – May 13 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 25 – Sep 10 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 18 – Apr 3 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 11 – Sep 15 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 25 – Apr 17 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 25 – Sep 25 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 14 – Apr 3 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 18 – Aug 25 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 28 – May 13 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 25 – Aug 10 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 25 – Nov 25 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 38337 is matched to the NOAA station Alamo 1 N, TN, 11.4 km away, at 330 ft elevation (51 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alamo 1 N, TN (used) | 330 ft | Mar 28 | Nov 4 |
| Jackson 4 Ne, TN | 430 ft | Apr 4 | Oct 30 |
| Jackson Mckellar Ap, TN | 433 ft | Apr 5 | Oct 29 |
| Jackson Exp Stn, TN | 400 ft | Apr 2 | Oct 29 |
Frost dates near Gadsden
- Fruitvale, TN 38336 · last Mar 28, first Nov 4
- Bells, TN 38006 · last Mar 28, first Nov 4
- Humboldt, TN 38343 · last Apr 4, first Oct 30
- Gibson, TN 38338 · last Apr 4, first Oct 28
- Alamo, TN 38001 · last Mar 28, first Nov 4
- Jackson, TN 38305 · last Apr 4, first Oct 30
- Crockett Mills, TN 38021 · last Mar 28, first Nov 4
- Oakfield, TN 38362 · last Apr 4, first Oct 30
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Gadsden, TN?
- For ZIP code 38337, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 28, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Alamo 1 N, TN weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 12.
- When is the first frost in Gadsden, TN?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 4. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 22, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 38337?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 220 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.