Frost dates for 38340Henderson, TN
The average last spring frost in Henderson is April 10 and the average first fall frost is October 25, giving a typical growing season of about 200 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 10
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 25
- Growing season
- 200 days
Safer after Apr 26 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 12 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 158 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 7 · Apr 23 · May 8 | Oct 4 · Oct 16 · Oct 30 | 178 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 26 · Apr 10 · Apr 26 | Oct 12 · Oct 25 · Nov 8 | 200 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 13 · Mar 30 · Apr 14 | Oct 21 · Nov 4 · Nov 20 | 221 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Henderson
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 10 – May 16 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 26 – Jul 5 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 10 – Apr 10 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 10 – Jun 10 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 27 – Apr 25 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 10 – Jun 10 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 10 – Jul 15 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 26 – Jun 10 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 10 – Jun 10 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 26 – Aug 7 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 26 – Jul 5 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 10 – Jun 10 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 3 – May 26 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 10 – Apr 25 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 10 – May 10 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 27 – Feb 23 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 27 – Apr 25 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 20 – Mar 26 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 27 – Apr 25 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 25 – Jul 5 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 25 – Aug 5 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 10 – Mar 10 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 10 – Apr 10 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 15 – Jul 15 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 15 – Aug 15 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 10 – May 26 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 15 – Aug 31 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 3 – Apr 16 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 1 – Sep 5 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 10 – Apr 30 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 15 – Sep 15 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 27 – Apr 16 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 8 – Aug 15 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 10 – May 26 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 15 – Jul 31 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 15 – Nov 15 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 38340 is matched to the NOAA station Henderson 4 W, TN, 7.9 km away, at 460 ft elevation (53 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Henderson 4 W, TN (used) | 460 ft | Apr 10 | Oct 25 |
| Jackson Exp Stn, TN | 400 ft | Apr 2 | Oct 29 |
| Selmer, TN | 470 ft | Apr 6 | Oct 30 |
| Jackson Mckellar Ap, TN | 433 ft | Apr 5 | Oct 29 |
Frost dates near Henderson
- Finger, TN 38334 · last Apr 6, first Oct 30
- Pinson, TN 38366 · last Apr 2, first Oct 29
- Jacks Creek, TN 38347 · last Apr 5, first Oct 30
- Luray, TN 38352 · last Apr 5, first Oct 30
- Beech Bluff, TN 38313 · last Apr 2, first Oct 29
- Silerton, TN 38377 · last Apr 3, first Oct 30
- Enville, TN 38332 · last Apr 5, first Oct 30
- Bethel Springs, TN 38315 · last Apr 6, first Oct 30
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Henderson, TN?
- For ZIP code 38340, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 10, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Henderson 4 W, TN weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 26.
- When is the first frost in Henderson, TN?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 25. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 12, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 38340?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 200 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.