Dayton, TN frost dates
Last spring frostApr 4median date
First fall frostOct 31median date
Growing season210 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone7bZone 7b
How Dayton compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Dayton falls between March 18 and April 22, a 35-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 19 and November 12.
- The median last frost is 3 days earlier than the Tennessee median of Apr 7.
- Its 210-day growing season is longer than 67% of the 548 Tennessee places with a regular frost season (state median 206 days).
- The last frost is typical for zone 7b, where the median is Apr 5.
- The weather station records an average of 72 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Chattanooga, TN, 57 km away, the last frost here is 4 days later than there and the growing season is 10 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | March 18 |
| 50% (median) | April 4 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | April 22 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 19 |
| 50% (median) | October 31 |
| 90% (late) | November 12 |
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 Dayton, TN
Dayton, TN frost dates — last frost Apr 4, first frost Oct 31, zone 7b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Jan 10 to Jan 24Transplant outside: Mar 7 to Mar 21
Start indoors: Jan 24 to Feb 7Transplant outside: Apr 18 to May 2
Start indoors: Jan 24 to Feb 7Transplant outside: Apr 18 to May 2
Start indoors: Feb 7 to Feb 21Transplant outside: Apr 11 to Apr 25
Start indoors: Feb 7 to Feb 21Transplant outside: Mar 14 to Mar 28Sow outdoors: Mar 7 to Apr 11Plant for fall: Sep 5 to Oct 3
Start indoors: Feb 7 to Feb 21Transplant outside: Mar 7 to Mar 21Sow outdoors: Mar 7 to Mar 21Plant for fall: Aug 22 to Sep 12
Start indoors: Feb 7 to Feb 21Transplant outside: Mar 21 to Apr 4Plant for fall: Jul 25 to Aug 15
Start indoors: Feb 7 to Feb 21Transplant outside: Mar 14 to Mar 28Plant for fall: Jul 25 to Aug 15
Start indoors: Feb 7 to Feb 21Transplant outside: Mar 21 to Apr 4Plant for fall: Jul 25 to Aug 15
Start indoors: Feb 21 to Mar 7Transplant outside: Apr 25 to May 9Sow outdoors: Apr 25 to May 9
Start indoors: Feb 21 to Mar 7Transplant outside: Apr 11 to Apr 25
Sow outdoors: Feb 21 to Mar 14Plant for fall: Aug 8 to Aug 29
Sow outdoors: Feb 21 to Mar 14Plant for fall: Sep 5 to Sep 26
Sow outdoors: Feb 28 to Apr 11Plant for fall: Sep 19 to Oct 10
Start indoors: Mar 7 to Mar 14Transplant outside: Apr 18 to Apr 25Sow outdoors: Apr 11 to Apr 25Plant for fall: Aug 15 to Aug 29
Start indoors: Mar 7 to Mar 14Sow outdoors: Apr 11 to Apr 25Plant for fall: Aug 22 to Sep 5
Start indoors: Mar 7 to Mar 14Sow outdoors: Apr 11 to Apr 25
Start indoors: Mar 7 to Mar 14Transplant outside: Apr 18 to May 2
Sow outdoors: Mar 14 to Apr 11Plant for fall: Aug 8 to Aug 22
Sow outdoors: Mar 14 to Apr 11Plant for fall: Aug 22 to Sep 5
Sow outdoors: Mar 14 to Apr 4
Sow outdoors: Mar 21 to Apr 18Plant for fall: Aug 22 to Sep 5
Sow outdoors: Mar 21 to Apr 11Plant for fall: Sep 5 to Sep 26
Sow outdoors: Apr 11 to May 2Plant for fall: Aug 15 to Aug 29
Sow outdoors: Apr 11 to Apr 25
Transplant outside: Apr 18 to May 9
Plant for fall: Oct 17 to Nov 21
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Dayton, TN
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Jan 10 – Jan 24 | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | — | — |
| Peppers | Jan 24 – Feb 7 | Apr 18 – May 2 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Jan 24 – Feb 7 | Apr 18 – May 2 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Feb 7 – Feb 21 | Apr 11 – Apr 25 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Feb 7 – Feb 21 | Mar 14 – Mar 28 | Mar 7 – Apr 11 | Sep 5 – Oct 3 |
| Kale | Feb 7 – Feb 21 | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | Aug 22 – Sep 12 |
| Broccoli | Feb 7 – Feb 21 | Mar 21 – Apr 4 | — | Jul 25 – Aug 15 |
| Cabbage | Feb 7 – Feb 21 | Mar 14 – Mar 28 | — | Jul 25 – Aug 15 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 7 – Feb 21 | Mar 21 – Apr 4 | — | Jul 25 – Aug 15 |
| Okra | Feb 21 – Mar 7 | Apr 25 – May 9 | Apr 25 – May 9 | — |
| Basil | Feb 21 – Mar 7 | Apr 11 – Apr 25 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Feb 21 – Mar 14 | Aug 8 – Aug 29 |
| Spinach | — | — | Feb 21 – Mar 14 | Sep 5 – Sep 26 |
| Radishes | — | — | Feb 28 – Apr 11 | Sep 19 – Oct 10 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 7 – Mar 14 | Apr 18 – Apr 25 | Apr 11 – Apr 25 | Aug 15 – Aug 29 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 7 – Mar 14 | — | Apr 11 – Apr 25 | Aug 22 – Sep 5 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Mar 7 – Mar 14 | — | Apr 11 – Apr 25 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Mar 7 – Mar 14 | Apr 18 – May 2 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Mar 14 – Apr 11 | Aug 8 – Aug 22 |
| Beets | — | — | Mar 14 – Apr 11 | Aug 22 – Sep 5 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Mar 14 – Apr 4 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Mar 21 – Apr 18 | Aug 22 – Sep 5 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Mar 21 – Apr 11 | Sep 5 – Sep 26 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Apr 11 – May 2 | Aug 15 – Aug 29 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Apr 11 – Apr 25 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Apr 18 – May 9 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 17 – Nov 21 |
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 Dayton 2se, TN weather station, 3 km away (elevation 823 ft (251 m)).
Frost dates near Dayton
- Evensville Apr 11 · Oct 25
- Sale Creek Apr 4 · Oct 31
- Graysville Apr 11 · Oct 25
- Birchwood Apr 4 · Oct 31
- Decatur Apr 4 · Oct 31
- Bakewell Apr 7 · Oct 29
- Pikeville Apr 11 · Oct 25
- Georgetown Apr 6 · Oct 30
- Spring City Apr 11 · Oct 29
- Calhoun Apr 6 · Oct 30
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Dayton, TN?
The median last spring frost in Dayton, TN is April 4. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after April 22, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Dayton, TN?
The median first fall frost is October 31, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 19.
How long is the growing season in Dayton, TN?
About 210 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Dayton, TN?
Dayton, TN is in USDA hardiness zone 7b.