Frost dates for 38356Medon, TN
The average last spring frost in Medon is April 5 and the average first fall frost is October 29, giving a typical growing season of about 207 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 5
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 29
- Growing season
- 207 days
Safer after Apr 21 (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) | Mar 31 · Apr 16 · May 2 | Oct 7 · Oct 20 · Nov 1 | 186 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 19 · Apr 5 · Apr 21 | Oct 16 · Oct 29 · Nov 10 | 207 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 4 · Mar 25 · Apr 10 | Oct 27 · Nov 7 · Nov 25 | 231 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Medon
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 38356 is matched to the NOAA station Jackson Mckellar Ap, TN, 17.7 km away, at 433 ft elevation (13 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jackson Mckellar Ap, TN (used) | 433 ft | Apr 5 | Oct 29 |
| Henderson 4 W, TN | 460 ft | Apr 10 | Oct 25 |
| Bolivar Wtr Wks, TN | 455 ft | Apr 3 | Oct 30 |
| Jackson Exp Stn, TN | 400 ft | Apr 2 | Oct 29 |
Frost dates near Medon
- Toone, TN 38381 · last Apr 3, first Oct 30
- Silerton, TN 38377 · last Apr 3, first Oct 30
- Mercer, TN 38392 · last Apr 5, first Oct 29
- Denmark, TN 38391 · last Apr 5, first Oct 29
- Pinson, TN 38366 · last Apr 2, first Oct 29
- Jackson, TN 38302 · last Apr 2, first Oct 29
- Bolivar, TN 38008 · last Apr 3, first Oct 30
- Henderson, TN 38340 · last Apr 10, first Oct 25
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Medon, TN?
- For ZIP code 38356, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 5, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Jackson Mckellar Ap, TN weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 21.
- When is the first frost in Medon, 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 38356?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 207 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.