Frost dates for 38502Cookeville, TN
The average last spring frost in Cookeville is April 14 and the average first fall frost is October 25, giving a typical growing season of about 195 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 14
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 25
- Growing season
- 195 days
Safer after Apr 30 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 12 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 162 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 12 · Apr 25 · May 11 | Oct 6 · Oct 17 · Oct 30 | 174 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 29 · Apr 14 · Apr 30 | Oct 12 · Oct 25 · Nov 7 | 195 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 12 · Apr 1 · Apr 16 | Oct 21 · Nov 3 · Nov 21 | 218 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Cookeville
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 14 – May 20 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 30 – Jul 5 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 14 – Apr 14 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 14 – Jun 14 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 31 – Apr 29 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 14 – Jun 14 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 14 – Jul 15 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 30 – Jun 14 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 14 – Jun 14 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 30 – Aug 7 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 30 – Jul 5 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 14 – Jun 14 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 7 – May 30 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 14 – Apr 29 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 14 – May 14 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 31 – Feb 27 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 31 – Apr 29 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 24 – Mar 30 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 31 – Apr 29 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 25 – Jul 5 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 25 – Aug 5 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 14 – Mar 14 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 14 – Apr 14 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 15 – Jul 15 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 15 – Aug 15 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 14 – May 30 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 15 – Aug 31 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 7 – Apr 20 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 1 – Sep 5 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 14 – May 4 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 15 – Sep 15 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 31 – Apr 20 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 8 – Aug 15 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 14 – May 30 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 15 – Jul 31 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 15 – Nov 15 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 38502 is matched to the NOAA station Cookeville, TN, 6.2 km away, at 1,090 ft elevation (12 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cookeville, TN (used) | 1,090 ft | Apr 14 | Oct 25 |
| Monterey, TN | 1,860 ft | Apr 10 | Oct 30 |
| Gainesboro, TN | 487 ft | Apr 20 | Oct 22 |
| Livingston Radio Wliv, TN | 975 ft | Apr 12 | Oct 25 |
Frost dates near Cookeville
- Cookeville, TN 38503 · last Apr 14, first Oct 25
- Baxter, TN 38544 · last Apr 14, first Oct 25
- Bloomington Springs, TN 38545 · last Apr 14, first Oct 25
- Silver Point, TN 38582 · last Apr 14, first Oct 25
- Rickman, TN 38580 · last Apr 12, first Oct 25
- Monterey, TN 38574 · last Apr 10, first Oct 30
- Buffalo Valley, TN 38548 · last Apr 3, first Nov 4
- Gainesboro, TN 38562 · last Apr 20, first Oct 22
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Cookeville, TN?
- For ZIP code 38502, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 14, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Cookeville, TN weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 30.
- When is the first frost in Cookeville, 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 38502?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 195 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.