Frost dates for 38554Crawford, TN
The average last spring frost in Crawford is April 10 and the average first fall frost is October 30, giving a typical growing season of about 203 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 10
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 30
- Growing season
- 203 days
Safer after Apr 28 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 16 (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 6 · Apr 23 · May 8 | Oct 7 · Oct 21 · Nov 1 | 180 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 23 · Apr 10 · Apr 28 | Oct 16 · Oct 30 · Nov 13 | 203 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 9 · Mar 30 · Apr 17 | Oct 27 · Nov 9 · Nov 29 | 227 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Crawford
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 10 |
| 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 20 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 26 – Jun 10 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 10 – Jun 10 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 26 – Aug 12 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 26 – Jul 10 |
| 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 30 – Jul 10 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 30 – Aug 10 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 10 – Mar 10 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 10 – Apr 10 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 20 – Jul 20 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 20 – Aug 20 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 10 – May 26 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 20 – Sep 5 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 3 – Apr 16 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 6 – Sep 10 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 10 – Apr 30 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 20 – Sep 20 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 27 – Apr 16 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 13 – Aug 20 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 10 – May 26 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 20 – Aug 5 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 20 – Nov 20 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 38554 is matched to the NOAA station Monterey, TN, 13 km away, at 1,860 ft elevation (42 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monterey, TN (used) | 1,860 ft | Apr 10 | Oct 30 |
| Livingston Radio Wliv, TN | 975 ft | Apr 12 | Oct 25 |
| Crossville Ed & Research, TN | 1,810 ft | Apr 19 | Oct 22 |
| Crossville 7 Nw, TN | 1,913 ft | Apr 20 | Oct 20 |
Frost dates near Crawford
- Wilder, TN 38589 · last Apr 10, first Oct 30
- Allred, TN 38542 · last Apr 12, first Oct 25
- Monterey, TN 38574 · last Apr 10, first Oct 30
- Rickman, TN 38580 · last Apr 12, first Oct 25
- Grimsley, TN 38565 · last Apr 20, first Oct 22
- Alpine, TN 38543 · last Apr 12, first Oct 25
- Clarkrange, TN 38553 · last Apr 19, first Oct 22
- Livingston, TN 38570 · last Apr 12, first Oct 25
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Crawford, TN?
- For ZIP code 38554, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 10, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Monterey, TN weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 28.
- When is the first frost in Crawford, TN?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 30. 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 38554?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 203 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.