Nashville, TN frost dates
Last spring frostApr 1median date
First fall frostOct 31median date
Growing season213 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone7bZone 7b
How Nashville compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Nashville falls between March 16 and April 16, a 31-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 18 and November 13.
- The median last frost is 6 days earlier than the Tennessee median of Apr 7.
- Its 213-day growing season is longer than 78% of the 548 Tennessee places with a regular frost season (state median 206 days).
- The last frost is 4 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 76 nights a year at or below 32°F.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | March 16 |
| 50% (median) | April 1 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | April 16 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 18 |
| 50% (median) | October 31 |
| 90% (late) | November 13 |
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 Nashville, TN
Nashville, TN frost dates — last frost Apr 1, first frost Oct 31, zone 7b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Jan 7 to Jan 21Transplant outside: Mar 4 to Mar 18
Start indoors: Jan 21 to Feb 4Transplant outside: Apr 15 to Apr 29
Start indoors: Jan 21 to Feb 4Transplant outside: Apr 15 to Apr 29
Start indoors: Feb 4 to Feb 18Transplant outside: Apr 8 to Apr 22
Start indoors: Feb 4 to Feb 18Transplant outside: Mar 11 to Mar 25Sow outdoors: Mar 4 to Apr 8Plant for fall: Sep 5 to Oct 3
Start indoors: Feb 4 to Feb 18Transplant outside: Mar 4 to Mar 18Sow outdoors: Mar 4 to Mar 18Plant for fall: Aug 22 to Sep 12
Start indoors: Feb 4 to Feb 18Transplant outside: Mar 18 to Apr 1Plant for fall: Jul 25 to Aug 15
Start indoors: Feb 4 to Feb 18Transplant outside: Mar 11 to Mar 25Plant for fall: Jul 25 to Aug 15
Start indoors: Feb 4 to Feb 18Transplant outside: Mar 18 to Apr 1Plant for fall: Jul 25 to Aug 15
Start indoors: Feb 18 to Mar 4Transplant outside: Apr 22 to May 6Sow outdoors: Apr 22 to May 6
Start indoors: Feb 18 to Mar 4Transplant outside: Apr 8 to Apr 22
Sow outdoors: Feb 18 to Mar 11Plant for fall: Aug 8 to Aug 29
Sow outdoors: Feb 18 to Mar 11Plant for fall: Sep 5 to Sep 26
Sow outdoors: Feb 25 to Apr 8Plant for fall: Sep 19 to Oct 10
Start indoors: Mar 4 to Mar 11Transplant outside: Apr 15 to Apr 22Sow outdoors: Apr 8 to Apr 22Plant for fall: Aug 15 to Aug 29
Start indoors: Mar 4 to Mar 11Sow outdoors: Apr 8 to Apr 22Plant for fall: Aug 22 to Sep 5
Start indoors: Mar 4 to Mar 11Sow outdoors: Apr 8 to Apr 22
Start indoors: Mar 4 to Mar 11Transplant outside: Apr 15 to Apr 29
Sow outdoors: Mar 11 to Apr 8Plant for fall: Aug 8 to Aug 22
Sow outdoors: Mar 11 to Apr 8Plant for fall: Aug 22 to Sep 5
Sow outdoors: Mar 11 to Apr 1
Sow outdoors: Mar 18 to Apr 15Plant for fall: Aug 22 to Sep 5
Sow outdoors: Mar 18 to Apr 8Plant for fall: Sep 5 to Sep 26
Sow outdoors: Apr 8 to Apr 29Plant for fall: Aug 15 to Aug 29
Sow outdoors: Apr 8 to Apr 22
Transplant outside: Apr 15 to May 6
Plant for fall: Oct 17 to Nov 21
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Nashville, TN
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Jan 7 – Jan 21 | Mar 4 – Mar 18 | — | — |
| Peppers | Jan 21 – Feb 4 | Apr 15 – Apr 29 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Jan 21 – Feb 4 | Apr 15 – Apr 29 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Feb 4 – Feb 18 | Apr 8 – Apr 22 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Feb 4 – Feb 18 | Mar 11 – Mar 25 | Mar 4 – Apr 8 | Sep 5 – Oct 3 |
| Kale | Feb 4 – Feb 18 | Mar 4 – Mar 18 | Mar 4 – Mar 18 | Aug 22 – Sep 12 |
| Broccoli | Feb 4 – Feb 18 | Mar 18 – Apr 1 | — | Jul 25 – Aug 15 |
| Cabbage | Feb 4 – Feb 18 | Mar 11 – Mar 25 | — | Jul 25 – Aug 15 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 4 – Feb 18 | Mar 18 – Apr 1 | — | Jul 25 – Aug 15 |
| Okra | Feb 18 – Mar 4 | Apr 22 – May 6 | Apr 22 – May 6 | — |
| Basil | Feb 18 – Mar 4 | Apr 8 – Apr 22 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Feb 18 – Mar 11 | Aug 8 – Aug 29 |
| Spinach | — | — | Feb 18 – Mar 11 | Sep 5 – Sep 26 |
| Radishes | — | — | Feb 25 – Apr 8 | Sep 19 – Oct 10 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 4 – Mar 11 | Apr 15 – Apr 22 | Apr 8 – Apr 22 | Aug 15 – Aug 29 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 4 – Mar 11 | — | Apr 8 – Apr 22 | Aug 22 – Sep 5 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Mar 4 – Mar 11 | — | Apr 8 – Apr 22 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Mar 4 – Mar 11 | Apr 15 – Apr 29 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Mar 11 – Apr 8 | Aug 8 – Aug 22 |
| Beets | — | — | Mar 11 – Apr 8 | Aug 22 – Sep 5 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Mar 11 – Apr 1 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Mar 18 – Apr 15 | Aug 22 – Sep 5 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Mar 18 – Apr 8 | Sep 5 – Sep 26 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Apr 8 – Apr 29 | Aug 15 – Aug 29 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Apr 8 – Apr 22 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Apr 15 – May 6 | — | — |
| 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 Shelby Bottoms Nature, TN weather station, 5 km away (elevation 404 ft (123 m)).
ZIP codes in Nashville: 37201 37202 37203 37204 37205 37206 37207 37208 37209 37210 37211 37212 37213 37214 37215 37216 37217 37218 37219 37220 37221 37222 37224 37227 37228 37229 37230 37232 37234 37235 37236 37238 37240 37241 37242 37243 37244 37246 37250
Frost dates near Nashville
- Madison Apr 1 · Oct 31
- Whites Creek Apr 7 · Oct 28
- Antioch Apr 4 · Oct 31
- Brentwood Apr 15 · Oct 26
- Hermitage Apr 1 · Nov 4
- Old Hickory Apr 1 · Nov 4
- Goodlettsville Apr 11 · Oct 29
- Joelton Apr 7 · Oct 28
- Hendersonville Apr 11 · Oct 29
- Pegram Apr 13 · Oct 25
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Nashville, TN?
The median last spring frost in Nashville, TN is April 1. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after April 16, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Nashville, TN?
The median first fall frost is October 31, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 18.
How long is the growing season in Nashville, TN?
About 213 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Nashville, TN?
Nashville, TN is in USDA hardiness zone 7b.