Frost dates for 38562Gainesboro, TN
The average last spring frost in Gainesboro is April 20 and the average first fall frost is October 22, giving a typical growing season of about 183 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 20
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 22
- Growing season
- 183 days
Safer after May 6 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 8 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 168 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 17 · Apr 30 · May 15 | Sep 30 · Oct 12 · Oct 25 | 164 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 7 · Apr 20 · May 6 | Oct 8 · Oct 22 · Nov 3 | 183 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 24 · Apr 8 · Apr 23 | Oct 17 · Oct 30 · Nov 11 | 205 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Gainesboro
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 20 – May 26 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 6 – Jul 2 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 20 – Apr 20 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 20 – Jun 20 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 6 – May 5 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 20 – Jun 20 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 20 – Jul 12 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 6 – Jun 20 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 20 – Jun 20 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 6 – Aug 4 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 6 – Jul 2 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 20 – Jun 20 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 13 – Jun 5 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 20 – May 5 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 20 – May 20 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 6 – Mar 5 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 6 – May 5 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 2 – Apr 5 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 6 – May 5 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 22 – Jul 2 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 22 – Aug 2 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 20 – Mar 20 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 20 – Apr 20 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 12 – Jul 12 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 12 – Aug 12 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 20 – Jun 5 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 12 – Aug 28 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 13 – Apr 26 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 29 – Sep 2 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 20 – May 10 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 12 – Sep 12 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 6 – Apr 26 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 5 – Aug 12 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 20 – Jun 5 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 12 – Jul 28 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 12 – Nov 12 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 38562 is matched to the NOAA station Gainesboro, TN, 3 km away, at 487 ft elevation (281 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gainesboro, TN (used) | 487 ft | Apr 20 | Oct 22 |
| Livingston Radio Wliv, TN | 975 ft | Apr 12 | Oct 25 |
| Cookeville, TN | 1,090 ft | Apr 14 | Oct 25 |
| Carthage, TN | 515 ft | Apr 10 | Oct 29 |
Frost dates near Gainesboro
- Granville, TN 38564 · last Apr 20, first Oct 22
- Bloomington Springs, TN 38545 · last Apr 14, first Oct 25
- Cookeville, TN 38501 · last Apr 14, first Oct 25
- Hilham, TN 38568 · last Apr 12, first Oct 25
- Whitleyville, TN 38588 · last Apr 3, first Nov 1
- Buffalo Valley, TN 38548 · last Apr 3, first Nov 4
- Chestnut Mound, TN 38552 · last Apr 3, first Nov 4
- Baxter, TN 38544 · last Apr 14, first Oct 25
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Gainesboro, TN?
- For ZIP code 38562, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 20, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Gainesboro, TN weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 6.
- When is the first frost in Gainesboro, TN?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 22. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 8, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 38562?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 183 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.