Palmer, TN frost dates
Last spring frostMar 26median date
First fall frostNov 8median date
Growing season227 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone7bZone 7b
How Palmer compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Palmer falls between March 6 and April 13, a 38-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 25 and November 29.
- The median last frost is 12 days earlier than the Tennessee median of Apr 7.
- Its 227-day growing season is among the longest of the 548 Tennessee places with a regular frost season.
- The last frost is 10 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 63 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Chattanooga, TN, 45 km away, the last frost here is 5 days earlier than there and the growing season is 7 days longer.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | March 6 |
| 50% (median) | March 26 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | April 13 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 25 |
| 50% (median) | November 8 |
| 90% (late) | November 29 |
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 Palmer, TN
Palmer, TN frost dates — last frost Mar 26, first frost Nov 8, zone 7b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Jan 1 to Jan 15Transplant outside: Feb 26 to Mar 12
Start indoors: Jan 15 to Jan 29Transplant outside: Apr 9 to Apr 23
Start indoors: Jan 15 to Jan 29Transplant outside: Apr 9 to Apr 23
Start indoors: Jan 29 to Feb 12Transplant outside: Apr 2 to Apr 16
Start indoors: Jan 29 to Feb 12Transplant outside: Mar 5 to Mar 19Sow outdoors: Feb 26 to Apr 2Plant for fall: Sep 13 to Oct 11
Start indoors: Jan 29 to Feb 12Transplant outside: Feb 26 to Mar 12Sow outdoors: Feb 26 to Mar 12Plant for fall: Aug 30 to Sep 20
Start indoors: Jan 29 to Feb 12Transplant outside: Mar 12 to Mar 26Plant for fall: Aug 2 to Aug 23
Start indoors: Jan 29 to Feb 12Transplant outside: Mar 5 to Mar 19Plant for fall: Aug 2 to Aug 23
Start indoors: Jan 29 to Feb 12Transplant outside: Mar 12 to Mar 26Plant for fall: Aug 2 to Aug 23
Start indoors: Feb 12 to Feb 26Transplant outside: Apr 16 to Apr 30Sow outdoors: Apr 16 to Apr 30
Start indoors: Feb 12 to Feb 26Transplant outside: Apr 2 to Apr 16
Sow outdoors: Feb 12 to Mar 5Plant for fall: Aug 16 to Sep 6
Sow outdoors: Feb 12 to Mar 5Plant for fall: Sep 13 to Oct 4
Sow outdoors: Feb 19 to Apr 2Plant for fall: Sep 27 to Oct 18
Start indoors: Feb 26 to Mar 5Transplant outside: Apr 9 to Apr 16Sow outdoors: Apr 2 to Apr 16Plant for fall: Aug 23 to Sep 6
Start indoors: Feb 26 to Mar 5Sow outdoors: Apr 2 to Apr 16Plant for fall: Aug 30 to Sep 13
Start indoors: Feb 26 to Mar 5Sow outdoors: Apr 2 to Apr 16
Start indoors: Feb 26 to Mar 5Transplant outside: Apr 9 to Apr 23
Sow outdoors: Mar 5 to Apr 2Plant for fall: Aug 16 to Aug 30
Sow outdoors: Mar 5 to Apr 2Plant for fall: Aug 30 to Sep 13
Sow outdoors: Mar 5 to Mar 26
Sow outdoors: Mar 12 to Apr 9Plant for fall: Aug 30 to Sep 13
Sow outdoors: Mar 12 to Apr 2Plant for fall: Sep 13 to Oct 4
Sow outdoors: Apr 2 to Apr 23Plant for fall: Aug 23 to Sep 6
Sow outdoors: Apr 2 to Apr 16
Transplant outside: Apr 9 to Apr 30
Plant for fall: Oct 25 to Nov 29
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Palmer, TN
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Jan 1 – Jan 15 | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | — | — |
| Peppers | Jan 15 – Jan 29 | Apr 9 – Apr 23 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Jan 15 – Jan 29 | Apr 9 – Apr 23 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Jan 29 – Feb 12 | Apr 2 – Apr 16 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Jan 29 – Feb 12 | Mar 5 – Mar 19 | Feb 26 – Apr 2 | Sep 13 – Oct 11 |
| Kale | Jan 29 – Feb 12 | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | Aug 30 – Sep 20 |
| Broccoli | Jan 29 – Feb 12 | Mar 12 – Mar 26 | — | Aug 2 – Aug 23 |
| Cabbage | Jan 29 – Feb 12 | Mar 5 – Mar 19 | — | Aug 2 – Aug 23 |
| Cauliflower | Jan 29 – Feb 12 | Mar 12 – Mar 26 | — | Aug 2 – Aug 23 |
| Okra | Feb 12 – Feb 26 | Apr 16 – Apr 30 | Apr 16 – Apr 30 | — |
| Basil | Feb 12 – Feb 26 | Apr 2 – Apr 16 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Feb 12 – Mar 5 | Aug 16 – Sep 6 |
| Spinach | — | — | Feb 12 – Mar 5 | Sep 13 – Oct 4 |
| Radishes | — | — | Feb 19 – Apr 2 | Sep 27 – Oct 18 |
| Cucumbers | Feb 26 – Mar 5 | Apr 9 – Apr 16 | Apr 2 – Apr 16 | Aug 23 – Sep 6 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Feb 26 – Mar 5 | — | Apr 2 – Apr 16 | Aug 30 – Sep 13 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Feb 26 – Mar 5 | — | Apr 2 – Apr 16 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Feb 26 – Mar 5 | Apr 9 – Apr 23 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Mar 5 – Apr 2 | Aug 16 – Aug 30 |
| Beets | — | — | Mar 5 – Apr 2 | Aug 30 – Sep 13 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Mar 5 – Mar 26 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Mar 12 – Apr 9 | Aug 30 – Sep 13 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Mar 12 – Apr 2 | Sep 13 – Oct 4 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Apr 2 – Apr 23 | Aug 23 – Sep 6 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Apr 2 – Apr 16 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Apr 9 – Apr 30 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 25 – Nov 29 |
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 Whitwell-Sequatchie Vly, TN weather station, 12 km away (elevation 1,020 ft (311 m)).
Frost dates near Palmer
- Gruetli Laager Apr 21 · Oct 20
- Coalmont Apr 21 · Oct 20
- Beersheba Springs Apr 21 · Oct 20
- Dunlap Mar 26 · Nov 8
- Altamont Apr 21 · Oct 20
- Tracy City Apr 10 · Oct 28
- Whitwell Mar 26 · Nov 8
- Sequatchie Apr 10 · Oct 28
- Pelham Apr 10 · Oct 28
- Monteagle Apr 10 · Oct 28
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Palmer, TN?
The median last spring frost in Palmer, TN is March 26. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after April 13, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Palmer, TN?
The median first fall frost is November 8, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 25.
How long is the growing season in Palmer, TN?
About 227 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Palmer, TN?
Palmer, TN is in USDA hardiness zone 7b.