Ripley, TN frost dates
Last spring frostMar 26median date
First fall frostNov 6median date
Growing season225 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone8aZone 8a
How Ripley compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Ripley falls between March 8 and April 14, a 37-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 25 and November 22.
- The median last frost is 12 days earlier than the Tennessee median of Apr 7.
- Its 225-day growing season is among the longest of the 548 Tennessee places with a regular frost season.
- The last frost is typical for zone 8a, where the median is Mar 29.
- The weather station records an average of 69 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Jackson, TN, 65 km away, the last frost here is 7 days earlier than there and the growing season is 15 days longer.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | March 8 |
| 50% (median) | March 26 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | April 14 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 25 |
| 50% (median) | November 6 |
| 90% (late) | November 22 |
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 Ripley, TN
Ripley, TN frost dates — last frost Mar 26, first frost Nov 6, zone 8a. 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 11 to Oct 9
Start indoors: Jan 29 to Feb 12Transplant outside: Feb 26 to Mar 12Sow outdoors: Feb 26 to Mar 12Plant for fall: Aug 28 to Sep 18
Start indoors: Jan 29 to Feb 12Transplant outside: Mar 12 to Mar 26Plant for fall: Jul 31 to Aug 21
Start indoors: Jan 29 to Feb 12Transplant outside: Mar 5 to Mar 19Plant for fall: Jul 31 to Aug 21
Start indoors: Jan 29 to Feb 12Transplant outside: Mar 12 to Mar 26Plant for fall: Jul 31 to Aug 21
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 14 to Sep 4
Sow outdoors: Feb 12 to Mar 5Plant for fall: Sep 11 to Oct 2
Sow outdoors: Feb 19 to Apr 2Plant for fall: Sep 25 to Oct 16
Start indoors: Feb 26 to Mar 5Transplant outside: Apr 9 to Apr 16Sow outdoors: Apr 2 to Apr 16Plant for fall: Aug 21 to Sep 4
Start indoors: Feb 26 to Mar 5Sow outdoors: Apr 2 to Apr 16Plant for fall: Aug 28 to Sep 11
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 14 to Aug 28
Sow outdoors: Mar 5 to Apr 2Plant for fall: Aug 28 to Sep 11
Sow outdoors: Mar 5 to Mar 26
Sow outdoors: Mar 12 to Apr 9Plant for fall: Aug 28 to Sep 11
Sow outdoors: Mar 12 to Apr 2Plant for fall: Sep 11 to Oct 2
Sow outdoors: Apr 2 to Apr 23Plant for fall: Aug 21 to Sep 4
Sow outdoors: Apr 2 to Apr 16
Transplant outside: Apr 9 to Apr 30
Plant for fall: Oct 23 to Nov 27
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Ripley, 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 11 – Oct 9 |
| Kale | Jan 29 – Feb 12 | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | Aug 28 – Sep 18 |
| Broccoli | Jan 29 – Feb 12 | Mar 12 – Mar 26 | — | Jul 31 – Aug 21 |
| Cabbage | Jan 29 – Feb 12 | Mar 5 – Mar 19 | — | Jul 31 – Aug 21 |
| Cauliflower | Jan 29 – Feb 12 | Mar 12 – Mar 26 | — | Jul 31 – Aug 21 |
| 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 14 – Sep 4 |
| Spinach | — | — | Feb 12 – Mar 5 | Sep 11 – Oct 2 |
| Radishes | — | — | Feb 19 – Apr 2 | Sep 25 – Oct 16 |
| Cucumbers | Feb 26 – Mar 5 | Apr 9 – Apr 16 | Apr 2 – Apr 16 | Aug 21 – Sep 4 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Feb 26 – Mar 5 | — | Apr 2 – Apr 16 | Aug 28 – Sep 11 |
| 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 14 – Aug 28 |
| Beets | — | — | Mar 5 – Apr 2 | Aug 28 – Sep 11 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Mar 5 – Mar 26 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Mar 12 – Apr 9 | Aug 28 – Sep 11 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Mar 12 – Apr 2 | Sep 11 – Oct 2 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Apr 2 – Apr 23 | Aug 21 – Sep 4 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Apr 2 – Apr 16 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Apr 9 – Apr 30 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 23 – Nov 27 |
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 Ripley, TN weather station, 5 km away (elevation 400 ft (122 m)).
Frost dates near Ripley
- Gates Mar 26 · Nov 6
- Henning Mar 27 · Nov 4
- Halls Mar 31 · Nov 6
- Covington Mar 27 · Nov 4
- Brownsville Mar 29 · Nov 5
- Maury City Mar 28 · Nov 4
- Finley Mar 28 · Nov 2
- Friendship Mar 28 · Nov 4
- Alamo Mar 28 · Nov 4
- Brighton Mar 27 · Nov 4
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Ripley, TN?
The median last spring frost in Ripley, TN is March 26. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after April 14, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Ripley, TN?
The median first fall frost is November 6, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 25.
How long is the growing season in Ripley, TN?
About 225 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Ripley, TN?
Ripley, TN is in USDA hardiness zone 8a.