Frost dates for 38488Taft, TN
The average last spring frost in Taft is April 7 and the average first fall frost is October 28, giving a typical growing season of about 201 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 7
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 28
- Growing season
- 201 days
Safer after Apr 22 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 13 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 155 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 4 · Apr 20 · May 5 | Oct 4 · Oct 18 · Nov 1 | 180 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 19 · Apr 7 · Apr 22 | Oct 13 · Oct 28 · Nov 10 | 201 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 6 · Mar 27 · Apr 13 | Oct 22 · Nov 6 · Nov 23 | 224 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Taft
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 7 – May 13 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 23 – Jul 8 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 7 – Apr 7 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 7 – Jun 7 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 24 – Apr 22 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 7 – Jun 7 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 7 – Jul 18 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 23 – Jun 7 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 7 – Jun 7 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 23 – Aug 10 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 23 – Jul 8 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 7 – Jun 7 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 30 – May 23 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 7 – Apr 22 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 7 – May 7 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 24 – Feb 20 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 24 – Apr 22 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 17 – Mar 23 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 24 – Apr 22 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 28 – Jul 8 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 28 – Aug 8 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 7 – Mar 7 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 7 – Apr 7 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 18 – Jul 18 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 18 – Aug 18 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 7 – May 23 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 18 – Sep 3 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 28 – Apr 13 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 4 – Sep 8 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 7 – Apr 27 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 18 – Sep 18 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 24 – Apr 13 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 11 – Aug 18 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 7 – May 23 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 18 – Aug 3 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 18 – Nov 18 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 38488 is matched to the NOAA station Fayetteville Wtp, TN, 13.1 km away, at 742 ft elevation (213 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fayetteville Wtp, TN (used) | 742 ft | Apr 7 | Oct 28 |
| Ardmore, TN | 885 ft | Mar 30 | Nov 4 |
| Lynchburg, TN | 810 ft | Apr 15 | Oct 25 |
| Pulaski Wwtp, TN | 644 ft | Apr 14 | Oct 24 |
Frost dates near Taft
- Hazel Green, AL 35750 · last Apr 7, first Oct 28
- Fayetteville, TN 37334 · last Apr 7, first Oct 28
- Toney, AL 35773 · last Apr 7, first Oct 28
- Kelso, TN 37348 · last Apr 7, first Oct 28
- Dellrose, TN 38453 · last Apr 14, first Oct 24
- Ardmore, AL 35739 · last Mar 30, first Nov 4
- Flintville, TN 37335 · last Apr 7, first Oct 28
- Meridianville, AL 35759 · last Apr 7, first Oct 28
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Taft, TN?
- For ZIP code 38488, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 7, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Fayetteville Wtp, TN weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 22.
- When is the first frost in Taft, TN?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 28. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 13, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 38488?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 201 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.