Frost dates for 38588Whitleyville, TN
The average last spring frost in Whitleyville is April 3 and the average first fall frost is November 1, giving a typical growing season of about 213 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 3
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 1
- Growing season
- 213 days
Safer after Apr 21 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 20 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 152 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) | Mar 31 · Apr 15 · May 4 | Oct 11 · Oct 23 · Nov 3 | 191 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 18 · Apr 3 · Apr 21 | Oct 20 · Nov 1 · Nov 16 | 213 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 5 · Mar 23 · Apr 7 | Oct 30 · Nov 11 · Dec 1 | 234 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Whitleyville
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 3 – May 9 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 19 – Jul 12 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 3 – Apr 3 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 3 – Jun 3 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 20 – Apr 18 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 3 – Jun 3 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 3 – Jul 22 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 19 – Jun 3 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 3 – Jun 3 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 19 – Aug 14 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 19 – Jul 12 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 3 – Jun 3 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 26 – May 19 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 3 – Apr 18 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 3 – May 3 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 20 – Feb 16 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 20 – Apr 18 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 13 – Mar 19 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 20 – Apr 18 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 2 – Jul 12 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 1 – Aug 12 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 3 – Mar 3 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 3 – Apr 3 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 22 – Jul 22 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 22 – Aug 22 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 3 – May 19 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 22 – Sep 7 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 24 – Apr 9 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 8 – Sep 12 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 3 – Apr 23 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 22 – Sep 22 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 20 – Apr 9 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 15 – Aug 22 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 3 – May 19 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 22 – Aug 7 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 22 – Nov 22 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 38588 is matched to the NOAA station Lafayette, TN, 30.4 km away, at 975 ft elevation (70 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lafayette, TN (used) | 975 ft | Apr 3 | Nov 1 |
| Gainesboro, TN | 487 ft | Apr 20 | Oct 22 |
| Livingston Radio Wliv, TN | 975 ft | Apr 12 | Oct 25 |
| Carthage, TN | 515 ft | Apr 10 | Oct 29 |
Frost dates near Whitleyville
- Moss, TN 38575 · last Apr 3, first Nov 1
- Red Boiling Springs, TN 37150 · last Apr 3, first Nov 1
- Celina, TN 38551 · last Apr 20, first Oct 22
- Hestand, KY 42151 · last Apr 20, first Oct 22
- Gamaliel, KY 42140 · last Apr 3, first Nov 1
- Gainesboro, TN 38562 · last Apr 20, first Oct 22
- Tompkinsville, KY 42167 · last Apr 26, first Oct 18
- Hilham, TN 38568 · last Apr 12, first Oct 25
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Whitleyville, TN?
- For ZIP code 38588, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 3, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Lafayette, TN weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 21.
- When is the first frost in Whitleyville, TN?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 1. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 20, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 38588?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 213 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.