Frost dates for 38580Rickman, TN
The average last spring frost in Rickman is April 12 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 12
- 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 160 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 9 · Apr 26 · May 11 | Oct 5 · Oct 17 · Oct 29 | 174 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 28 · Apr 12 · Apr 30 | Oct 12 · Oct 25 · Nov 6 | 195 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 13 · Apr 1 · Apr 15 | Oct 21 · Nov 3 · Nov 19 | 217 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Rickman
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 12 – May 18 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 28 – Jul 5 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 12 – Apr 12 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 12 – Jun 12 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 29 – Apr 27 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 12 – Jun 12 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 12 – Jul 15 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 28 – Jun 12 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 12 – Jun 12 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 28 – Aug 7 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 28 – Jul 5 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 12 – Jun 12 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 5 – May 28 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 12 – Apr 27 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 12 – May 12 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 29 – Feb 25 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 29 – Apr 27 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 22 – Mar 28 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 29 – Apr 27 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 25 – Jul 5 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 25 – Aug 5 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 12 – Mar 12 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 12 – Apr 12 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 15 – Jul 15 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 15 – Aug 15 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 12 – May 28 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 15 – Aug 31 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 5 – Apr 18 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 1 – Sep 5 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 12 – May 2 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 15 – Sep 15 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 29 – Apr 18 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 8 – Aug 15 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 12 – May 28 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 15 – Jul 31 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 15 – Nov 15 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 38580 is matched to the NOAA station Livingston Radio Wliv, TN, 11.1 km away, at 975 ft elevation (373 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Livingston Radio Wliv, TN (used) | 975 ft | Apr 12 | Oct 25 |
| Monterey, TN | 1,860 ft | Apr 10 | Oct 30 |
| Cookeville, TN | 1,090 ft | Apr 14 | Oct 25 |
| Gainesboro, TN | 487 ft | Apr 20 | Oct 22 |
Frost dates near Rickman
- Allred, TN 38542 · last Apr 12, first Oct 25
- Livingston, TN 38570 · last Apr 12, first Oct 25
- Crawford, TN 38554 · last Apr 10, first Oct 30
- Monterey, TN 38574 · last Apr 10, first Oct 30
- Cookeville, TN 38506 · last Apr 14, first Oct 25
- Alpine, TN 38543 · last Apr 12, first Oct 25
- Wilder, TN 38589 · last Apr 10, first Oct 30
- Hilham, TN 38568 · last Apr 12, first Oct 25
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Rickman, TN?
- For ZIP code 38580, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 12, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Livingston Radio Wliv, TN weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 30.
- When is the first frost in Rickman, 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 38580?
- 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.