Bells, TN frost dates
Last spring frostMar 28median date
First fall frostNov 4median date
Growing season221 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone7bZone 7b
How Bells compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Bells falls between March 11 and April 12, a 32-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 22 and November 20.
- The median last frost is 10 days earlier than the Tennessee median of Apr 7.
- Its 221-day growing season is longer than 93% of the 548 Tennessee places with a regular frost season (state median 206 days).
- The last frost is 8 days earlier than the zone 7b median of Apr 5. Hardiness zones measure winter cold, not season length, so use these dates rather than a zone 7b chart.
- The weather station records an average of 70 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Jackson, TN, 24 km away, the last frost here is 5 days earlier than there and the growing season is 11 days longer.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | March 11 |
| 50% (median) | March 28 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | April 12 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 22 |
| 50% (median) | November 4 |
| 90% (late) | November 20 |
Frost here means 32°F (0°C). A median date means half of years have their last frost earlier and half later.
Planting calendar for Bells, TN
Bells, TN frost dates — last frost Mar 28, first frost Nov 4, zone 7b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Jan 3 to Jan 17Transplant outside: Feb 28 to Mar 14
Start indoors: Jan 17 to Jan 31Transplant outside: Apr 11 to Apr 25
Start indoors: Jan 17 to Jan 31Transplant outside: Apr 11 to Apr 25
Start indoors: Jan 31 to Feb 14Transplant outside: Apr 4 to Apr 18
Start indoors: Jan 31 to Feb 14Transplant outside: Mar 7 to Mar 21Sow outdoors: Feb 28 to Apr 4Plant for fall: Sep 9 to Oct 7
Start indoors: Jan 31 to Feb 14Transplant outside: Feb 28 to Mar 14Sow outdoors: Feb 28 to Mar 14Plant for fall: Aug 26 to Sep 16
Start indoors: Jan 31 to Feb 14Transplant outside: Mar 14 to Mar 28Plant for fall: Jul 29 to Aug 19
Start indoors: Jan 31 to Feb 14Transplant outside: Mar 7 to Mar 21Plant for fall: Jul 29 to Aug 19
Start indoors: Jan 31 to Feb 14Transplant outside: Mar 14 to Mar 28Plant for fall: Jul 29 to Aug 19
Start indoors: Feb 14 to Feb 28Transplant outside: Apr 18 to May 2Sow outdoors: Apr 18 to May 2
Start indoors: Feb 14 to Feb 28Transplant outside: Apr 4 to Apr 18
Sow outdoors: Feb 14 to Mar 7Plant for fall: Aug 12 to Sep 2
Sow outdoors: Feb 14 to Mar 7Plant for fall: Sep 9 to Sep 30
Sow outdoors: Feb 21 to Apr 4Plant for fall: Sep 23 to Oct 14
Start indoors: Feb 28 to Mar 7Transplant outside: Apr 11 to Apr 18Sow outdoors: Apr 4 to Apr 18Plant for fall: Aug 19 to Sep 2
Start indoors: Feb 28 to Mar 7Sow outdoors: Apr 4 to Apr 18Plant for fall: Aug 26 to Sep 9
Start indoors: Feb 28 to Mar 7Sow outdoors: Apr 4 to Apr 18
Start indoors: Feb 28 to Mar 7Transplant outside: Apr 11 to Apr 25
Sow outdoors: Mar 7 to Apr 4Plant for fall: Aug 12 to Aug 26
Sow outdoors: Mar 7 to Apr 4Plant for fall: Aug 26 to Sep 9
Sow outdoors: Mar 7 to Mar 28
Sow outdoors: Mar 14 to Apr 11Plant for fall: Aug 26 to Sep 9
Sow outdoors: Mar 14 to Apr 4Plant for fall: Sep 9 to Sep 30
Sow outdoors: Apr 4 to Apr 25Plant for fall: Aug 19 to Sep 2
Sow outdoors: Apr 4 to Apr 18
Transplant outside: Apr 11 to May 2
Plant for fall: Oct 21 to Nov 25
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Bells, TN
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Jan 3 – Jan 17 | Feb 28 – Mar 14 | — | — |
| Peppers | Jan 17 – Jan 31 | Apr 11 – Apr 25 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Jan 17 – Jan 31 | Apr 11 – Apr 25 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Jan 31 – Feb 14 | Apr 4 – Apr 18 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Jan 31 – Feb 14 | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | Feb 28 – Apr 4 | Sep 9 – Oct 7 |
| Kale | Jan 31 – Feb 14 | Feb 28 – Mar 14 | Feb 28 – Mar 14 | Aug 26 – Sep 16 |
| Broccoli | Jan 31 – Feb 14 | Mar 14 – Mar 28 | — | Jul 29 – Aug 19 |
| Cabbage | Jan 31 – Feb 14 | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | — | Jul 29 – Aug 19 |
| Cauliflower | Jan 31 – Feb 14 | Mar 14 – Mar 28 | — | Jul 29 – Aug 19 |
| Okra | Feb 14 – Feb 28 | Apr 18 – May 2 | Apr 18 – May 2 | — |
| Basil | Feb 14 – Feb 28 | Apr 4 – Apr 18 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Feb 14 – Mar 7 | Aug 12 – Sep 2 |
| Spinach | — | — | Feb 14 – Mar 7 | Sep 9 – Sep 30 |
| Radishes | — | — | Feb 21 – Apr 4 | Sep 23 – Oct 14 |
| Cucumbers | Feb 28 – Mar 7 | Apr 11 – Apr 18 | Apr 4 – Apr 18 | Aug 19 – Sep 2 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Feb 28 – Mar 7 | — | Apr 4 – Apr 18 | Aug 26 – Sep 9 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Feb 28 – Mar 7 | — | Apr 4 – Apr 18 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Feb 28 – Mar 7 | Apr 11 – Apr 25 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Mar 7 – Apr 4 | Aug 12 – Aug 26 |
| Beets | — | — | Mar 7 – Apr 4 | Aug 26 – Sep 9 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Mar 7 – Mar 28 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Mar 14 – Apr 11 | Aug 26 – Sep 9 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Mar 14 – Apr 4 | Sep 9 – Sep 30 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Apr 4 – Apr 25 | Aug 19 – Sep 2 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Apr 4 – Apr 18 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Apr 11 – May 2 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 21 – Nov 25 |
Dates come from the median frost dates and common extension-service timing. Adjust for your soil temperature, microclimate and the varieties you grow.
About these dates
Based on 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals for the Alamo 1 N, TN weather station, 10 km away (elevation 331 ft (101 m)).
Frost dates near Bells
- Fruitvale Mar 28 · Nov 4
- Gadsden Mar 28 · Nov 4
- Alamo Mar 28 · Nov 4
- Crockett Mills Mar 28 · Nov 4
- Maury City Mar 28 · Nov 4
- Humboldt Apr 4 · Oct 30
- Denmark Apr 5 · Oct 29
- Brownsville Mar 29 · Nov 5
- Jackson Apr 2 · Oct 29
- Friendship Mar 28 · Nov 4
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Bells, TN?
The median last spring frost in Bells, TN is March 28. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after April 12, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Bells, TN?
The median first fall frost is November 4, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 22.
How long is the growing season in Bells, TN?
About 221 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Bells, TN?
Bells, TN is in USDA hardiness zone 7b.