Cookeville, TN frost dates
Last spring frostApr 14median date
First fall frostOct 25median date
Growing season194 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone7aZone 7a
How Cookeville compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Cookeville falls between March 29 and April 30, a 32-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 12 and November 7.
- The median last frost is 7 days later than the Tennessee median of Apr 7.
- Its 194-day growing season is longer than 24% of the 548 Tennessee places with a regular frost season (state median 206 days).
- The last frost is typical for zone 7a, where the median is Apr 16.
- The weather station records an average of 97 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Murfreesboro, TN, 90 km away, the last frost here is 5 days later than there and the growing season is 7 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | March 29 |
| 50% (median) | April 14 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | April 30 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 12 |
| 50% (median) | October 25 |
| 90% (late) | November 7 |
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 Cookeville, TN
Cookeville, TN frost dates — last frost Apr 14, first frost Oct 25, zone 7a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Jan 20 to Feb 3Transplant outside: Mar 17 to Mar 31
Start indoors: Feb 3 to Feb 17Transplant outside: Apr 28 to May 12
Start indoors: Feb 3 to Feb 17Transplant outside: Apr 28 to May 12
Start indoors: Feb 17 to Mar 3Transplant outside: Apr 21 to May 5
Start indoors: Feb 17 to Mar 3Transplant outside: Mar 24 to Apr 7Sow outdoors: Mar 17 to Apr 21Plant for fall: Aug 30 to Sep 27
Start indoors: Feb 17 to Mar 3Transplant outside: Mar 17 to Mar 31Sow outdoors: Mar 17 to Mar 31Plant for fall: Aug 16 to Sep 6
Start indoors: Feb 17 to Mar 3Transplant outside: Mar 31 to Apr 14Plant for fall: Jul 19 to Aug 9
Start indoors: Feb 17 to Mar 3Transplant outside: Mar 24 to Apr 7Plant for fall: Jul 19 to Aug 9
Start indoors: Feb 17 to Mar 3Transplant outside: Mar 31 to Apr 14Plant for fall: Jul 19 to Aug 9
Start indoors: Mar 3 to Mar 17Transplant outside: May 5 to May 19Sow outdoors: May 5 to May 19
Start indoors: Mar 3 to Mar 17Transplant outside: Apr 21 to May 5
Sow outdoors: Mar 3 to Mar 24Plant for fall: Aug 2 to Aug 23
Sow outdoors: Mar 3 to Mar 24Plant for fall: Aug 30 to Sep 20
Sow outdoors: Mar 10 to Apr 21Plant for fall: Sep 13 to Oct 4
Start indoors: Mar 17 to Mar 24Transplant outside: Apr 28 to May 5Sow outdoors: Apr 21 to May 5Plant for fall: Aug 9 to Aug 23
Start indoors: Mar 17 to Mar 24Sow outdoors: Apr 21 to May 5Plant for fall: Aug 16 to Aug 30
Start indoors: Mar 17 to Mar 24Sow outdoors: Apr 21 to May 5
Start indoors: Mar 17 to Mar 24Transplant outside: Apr 28 to May 12
Sow outdoors: Mar 24 to Apr 21Plant for fall: Aug 2 to Aug 16
Sow outdoors: Mar 24 to Apr 21Plant for fall: Aug 16 to Aug 30
Sow outdoors: Mar 24 to Apr 14
Sow outdoors: Mar 31 to Apr 28Plant for fall: Aug 16 to Aug 30
Sow outdoors: Mar 31 to Apr 21Plant for fall: Aug 30 to Sep 20
Sow outdoors: Apr 21 to May 12Plant for fall: Aug 9 to Aug 23
Sow outdoors: Apr 21 to May 5
Transplant outside: Apr 28 to May 19
Plant for fall: Oct 11 to Nov 15
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Cookeville, TN
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Jan 20 – Feb 3 | Mar 17 – Mar 31 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 3 – Feb 17 | Apr 28 – May 12 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 3 – Feb 17 | Apr 28 – May 12 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Feb 17 – Mar 3 | Apr 21 – May 5 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Feb 17 – Mar 3 | Mar 24 – Apr 7 | Mar 17 – Apr 21 | Aug 30 – Sep 27 |
| Kale | Feb 17 – Mar 3 | Mar 17 – Mar 31 | Mar 17 – Mar 31 | Aug 16 – Sep 6 |
| Broccoli | Feb 17 – Mar 3 | Mar 31 – Apr 14 | — | Jul 19 – Aug 9 |
| Cabbage | Feb 17 – Mar 3 | Mar 24 – Apr 7 | — | Jul 19 – Aug 9 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 17 – Mar 3 | Mar 31 – Apr 14 | — | Jul 19 – Aug 9 |
| Okra | Mar 3 – Mar 17 | May 5 – May 19 | May 5 – May 19 | — |
| Basil | Mar 3 – Mar 17 | Apr 21 – May 5 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 3 – Mar 24 | Aug 2 – Aug 23 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 3 – Mar 24 | Aug 30 – Sep 20 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 10 – Apr 21 | Sep 13 – Oct 4 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 17 – Mar 24 | Apr 28 – May 5 | Apr 21 – May 5 | Aug 9 – Aug 23 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 17 – Mar 24 | — | Apr 21 – May 5 | Aug 16 – Aug 30 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Mar 17 – Mar 24 | — | Apr 21 – May 5 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Mar 17 – Mar 24 | Apr 28 – May 12 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Mar 24 – Apr 21 | Aug 2 – Aug 16 |
| Beets | — | — | Mar 24 – Apr 21 | Aug 16 – Aug 30 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Mar 24 – Apr 14 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Mar 31 – Apr 28 | Aug 16 – Aug 30 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Mar 31 – Apr 21 | Aug 30 – Sep 20 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Apr 21 – May 12 | Aug 9 – Aug 23 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Apr 21 – May 5 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Apr 28 – May 19 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 11 – Nov 15 |
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 Cookeville, TN weather station, 8 km away (elevation 1,089 ft (332 m)).
ZIP codes in Cookeville: 38501 38502 38503 38505 38506
Frost dates near Cookeville
- Baxter Apr 14 · Oct 25
- Bloomington Springs Apr 20 · Oct 22
- Rickman Apr 12 · Oct 25
- Monterey Apr 10 · Oct 30
- Gainesboro Apr 20 · Oct 22
- Silver Point Apr 3 · Nov 4
- Buffalo Valley Apr 3 · Nov 4
- Granville Apr 20 · Oct 22
- Sparta Apr 15 · Oct 23
- Hilham Apr 12 · Oct 25
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Cookeville, TN?
The median last spring frost in Cookeville, TN is April 14. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after April 30, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Cookeville, TN?
The median first fall frost is October 25, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 12.
How long is the growing season in Cookeville, TN?
About 194 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Cookeville, TN?
Cookeville, TN is in USDA hardiness zone 7a.