Frost dates for 38585Spencer, TN
The average last spring frost in Spencer is April 21 and the average first fall frost is October 19, giving a typical growing season of about 180 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 21
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 19
- Growing season
- 180 days
Safer after May 9 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 5 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 169 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 18 · May 3 · May 19 | Sep 29 · Oct 11 · Oct 24 | 159 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 3 · Apr 21 · May 9 | Oct 5 · Oct 19 · Nov 2 | 180 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 21 · Apr 8 · Apr 26 | Oct 15 · Oct 29 · Nov 11 | 202 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Spencer
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 21 – May 27 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 7 – Jun 29 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 21 – Apr 21 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 21 – Jun 21 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 7 – May 6 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 21 – Jun 21 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 21 – Jul 9 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 7 – Jun 21 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 21 – Jun 21 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 7 – Aug 1 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 7 – Jun 29 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 21 – Jun 21 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 14 – Jun 6 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 21 – May 6 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 21 – May 21 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 7 – Mar 6 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 7 – May 6 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 3 – Apr 6 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 7 – May 6 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 19 – Jun 29 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 19 – Jul 30 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 21 – Mar 21 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 21 – Apr 21 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 9 – Jul 9 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 9 – Aug 9 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 21 – Jun 6 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 9 – Aug 25 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 14 – Apr 27 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 26 – Aug 30 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 21 – May 11 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 9 – Sep 9 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 7 – Apr 27 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 2 – Aug 9 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 21 – Jun 6 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 9 – Jul 25 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 9 – Nov 9 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 38585 is matched to the NOAA station Fall Creek Falls Sp, TN, 11.7 km away, at 1,790 ft elevation (199 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall Creek Falls Sp, TN (used) | 1,790 ft | Apr 21 | Oct 19 |
| Sparta Wastewater Plant, TN | 905 ft | Apr 15 | Oct 23 |
| Rock Island Sp, TN | 880 ft | Apr 6 | Oct 30 |
| Pikeville, TN | 864 ft | Apr 11 | Oct 25 |
Frost dates near Spencer
- Doyle, TN 38559 · last Apr 15, first Oct 23
- Quebeck, TN 38579 · last Apr 15, first Oct 23
- Campaign, TN 38550 · last Apr 7, first Oct 30
- Pikeville, TN 37367 · last Apr 21, first Oct 19
- Rock Island, TN 38581 · last Apr 7, first Oct 30
- Walling, TN 38587 · last Apr 15, first Oct 23
- Sparta, TN 38583 · last Apr 15, first Oct 23
- Crossville, TN 38572 · last Apr 16, first Oct 23
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Spencer, TN?
- For ZIP code 38585, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 21, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Fall Creek Falls Sp, TN weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 9.
- When is the first frost in Spencer, TN?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 19. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 5, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 38585?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 180 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.