Frost dates for 38369Rutherford, TN
The average last spring frost in Rutherford is April 4 and the average first fall frost is October 28, giving a typical growing season of about 204 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 4
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 28
- Growing season
- 204 days
Safer after Apr 21 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 15 (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) | Apr 1 · Apr 16 · May 1 | Oct 7 · Oct 19 · Oct 31 | 185 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 20 · Apr 4 · Apr 21 | Oct 15 · Oct 28 · Nov 10 | 204 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 8 · Mar 26 · Apr 9 | Oct 24 · Nov 6 · Nov 25 | 226 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Rutherford
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 8 |
| 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 18 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 20 – Jun 4 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 4 – Jun 4 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 20 – Aug 10 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 20 – Jul 8 |
| 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 28 – Jul 8 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 28 – Aug 8 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 4 – Mar 4 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 4 – Apr 4 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 18 – Jul 18 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 18 – Aug 18 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 4 – May 20 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 18 – Sep 3 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 25 – Apr 10 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 4 – Sep 8 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 4 – Apr 24 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 18 – Sep 18 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 21 – Apr 10 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 11 – Aug 18 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 4 – May 20 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 18 – Aug 3 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 18 – Nov 18 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 38369 is matched to the NOAA station Martin U Of T Branch E, TN, 26.2 km away, at 340 ft elevation (25 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Martin U Of T Branch E, TN (used) | 340 ft | Apr 4 | Oct 28 |
| Union City, TN | 350 ft | Apr 3 | Oct 29 |
| Dresden, TN | 450 ft | Apr 3 | Nov 1 |
| Milan Exp Stn, TN | 415 ft | Apr 4 | Oct 28 |
Frost dates near Rutherford
- Dyer, TN 38330 · last Mar 28, first Nov 4
- Kenton, TN 38233 · last Apr 3, first Oct 29
- Yorkville, TN 38389 · last Apr 3, first Oct 29
- Sharon, TN 38255 · last Apr 4, first Oct 28
- Bradford, TN 38316 · last Apr 4, first Oct 28
- Trenton, TN 38382 · last Mar 28, first Nov 4
- Idlewild, TN 38346 · last Apr 4, first Oct 28
- Trimble, TN 38259 · last Apr 3, first Oct 29
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Rutherford, TN?
- For ZIP code 38369, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 4, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Martin U Of T Branch E, TN weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 21.
- When is the first frost in Rutherford, TN?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 28. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 15, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 38369?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 204 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.