Carthage, TN frost dates
Last spring frostApr 10median date
First fall frostOct 29median date
Growing season202 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone7bZone 7b
How Carthage compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Carthage falls between March 26 and April 27, a 32-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 17 and November 11.
- The median last frost is 3 days later than the Tennessee median of Apr 7.
- Its 202-day growing season is longer than 39% of the 548 Tennessee places with a regular frost season (state median 206 days).
- The last frost is 5 days later 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 86 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Hendersonville, TN, 59 km away, the last frost here is 1 day earlier than there and the growing season is 1 day longer.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | March 26 |
| 50% (median) | April 10 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | April 27 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 17 |
| 50% (median) | October 29 |
| 90% (late) | November 11 |
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 Carthage, TN
Carthage, TN frost dates — last frost Apr 10, first frost Oct 29, zone 7b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Jan 16 to Jan 30Transplant outside: Mar 13 to Mar 27
Start indoors: Jan 30 to Feb 13Transplant outside: Apr 24 to May 8
Start indoors: Jan 30 to Feb 13Transplant outside: Apr 24 to May 8
Start indoors: Feb 13 to Feb 27Transplant outside: Apr 17 to May 1
Start indoors: Feb 13 to Feb 27Transplant outside: Mar 20 to Apr 3Sow outdoors: Mar 13 to Apr 17Plant for fall: Sep 3 to Oct 1
Start indoors: Feb 13 to Feb 27Transplant outside: Mar 13 to Mar 27Sow outdoors: Mar 13 to Mar 27Plant for fall: Aug 20 to Sep 10
Start indoors: Feb 13 to Feb 27Transplant outside: Mar 27 to Apr 10Plant for fall: Jul 23 to Aug 13
Start indoors: Feb 13 to Feb 27Transplant outside: Mar 20 to Apr 3Plant for fall: Jul 23 to Aug 13
Start indoors: Feb 13 to Feb 27Transplant outside: Mar 27 to Apr 10Plant for fall: Jul 23 to Aug 13
Start indoors: Feb 27 to Mar 13Transplant outside: May 1 to May 15Sow outdoors: May 1 to May 15
Start indoors: Feb 27 to Mar 13Transplant outside: Apr 17 to May 1
Sow outdoors: Feb 27 to Mar 20Plant for fall: Aug 6 to Aug 27
Sow outdoors: Feb 27 to Mar 20Plant for fall: Sep 3 to Sep 24
Sow outdoors: Mar 6 to Apr 17Plant for fall: Sep 17 to Oct 8
Start indoors: Mar 13 to Mar 20Transplant outside: Apr 24 to May 1Sow outdoors: Apr 17 to May 1Plant for fall: Aug 13 to Aug 27
Start indoors: Mar 13 to Mar 20Sow outdoors: Apr 17 to May 1Plant for fall: Aug 20 to Sep 3
Start indoors: Mar 13 to Mar 20Sow outdoors: Apr 17 to May 1
Start indoors: Mar 13 to Mar 20Transplant outside: Apr 24 to May 8
Sow outdoors: Mar 20 to Apr 17Plant for fall: Aug 6 to Aug 20
Sow outdoors: Mar 20 to Apr 17Plant for fall: Aug 20 to Sep 3
Sow outdoors: Mar 20 to Apr 10
Sow outdoors: Mar 27 to Apr 24Plant for fall: Aug 20 to Sep 3
Sow outdoors: Mar 27 to Apr 17Plant for fall: Sep 3 to Sep 24
Sow outdoors: Apr 17 to May 8Plant for fall: Aug 13 to Aug 27
Sow outdoors: Apr 17 to May 1
Transplant outside: Apr 24 to May 15
Plant for fall: Oct 15 to Nov 19
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Carthage, TN
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Jan 16 – Jan 30 | Mar 13 – Mar 27 | — | — |
| Peppers | Jan 30 – Feb 13 | Apr 24 – May 8 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Jan 30 – Feb 13 | Apr 24 – May 8 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Feb 13 – Feb 27 | Apr 17 – May 1 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Feb 13 – Feb 27 | Mar 20 – Apr 3 | Mar 13 – Apr 17 | Sep 3 – Oct 1 |
| Kale | Feb 13 – Feb 27 | Mar 13 – Mar 27 | Mar 13 – Mar 27 | Aug 20 – Sep 10 |
| Broccoli | Feb 13 – Feb 27 | Mar 27 – Apr 10 | — | Jul 23 – Aug 13 |
| Cabbage | Feb 13 – Feb 27 | Mar 20 – Apr 3 | — | Jul 23 – Aug 13 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 13 – Feb 27 | Mar 27 – Apr 10 | — | Jul 23 – Aug 13 |
| Okra | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | May 1 – May 15 | May 1 – May 15 | — |
| Basil | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | Apr 17 – May 1 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Feb 27 – Mar 20 | Aug 6 – Aug 27 |
| Spinach | — | — | Feb 27 – Mar 20 | Sep 3 – Sep 24 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 6 – Apr 17 | Sep 17 – Oct 8 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 13 – Mar 20 | Apr 24 – May 1 | Apr 17 – May 1 | Aug 13 – Aug 27 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 13 – Mar 20 | — | Apr 17 – May 1 | Aug 20 – Sep 3 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Mar 13 – Mar 20 | — | Apr 17 – May 1 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Mar 13 – Mar 20 | Apr 24 – May 8 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Mar 20 – Apr 17 | Aug 6 – Aug 20 |
| Beets | — | — | Mar 20 – Apr 17 | Aug 20 – Sep 3 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Mar 20 – Apr 10 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Mar 27 – Apr 24 | Aug 20 – Sep 3 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Mar 27 – Apr 17 | Sep 3 – Sep 24 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Apr 17 – May 8 | Aug 13 – Aug 27 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Apr 17 – May 1 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Apr 24 – May 15 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 15 – Nov 19 |
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 Carthage, TN weather station, 3 km away (elevation 515 ft (157 m)).
Frost dates near Carthage
- Elmwood Apr 10 · Oct 29
- Pleasant Shade Apr 10 · Oct 29
- Riddleton Apr 12 · Oct 26
- Gordonsville Apr 10 · Oct 29
- Chestnut Mound Apr 10 · Oct 29
- Hickman Apr 3 · Nov 4
- Granville Apr 20 · Oct 22
- Brush Creek Apr 10 · Oct 29
- Buffalo Valley Apr 3 · Nov 4
- Dixon Springs Apr 3 · Nov 1
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Carthage, TN?
The median last spring frost in Carthage, TN is April 10. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after April 27, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Carthage, TN?
The median first fall frost is October 29, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 17.
How long is the growing season in Carthage, TN?
About 202 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Carthage, TN?
Carthage, TN is in USDA hardiness zone 7b.