Rutherford, TN frost dates
Last spring frostApr 4median date
First fall frostOct 28median date
Growing season207 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone7bZone 7b
How Rutherford compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Rutherford falls between March 20 and April 21, a 32-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 15 and November 10.
- The median last frost is 3 days earlier than the Tennessee median of Apr 7.
- Its 207-day growing season is longer than 53% 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 82 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Jackson, TN, 58 km away, the last frost here is 2 days later than there and the growing season is 3 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | March 20 |
| 50% (median) | April 4 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | April 21 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 15 |
| 50% (median) | October 28 |
| 90% (late) | November 10 |
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 Rutherford, TN
Rutherford, TN frost dates — last frost Apr 4, first frost Oct 28, 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 2 to Sep 30
Start indoors: Feb 7 to Feb 21Transplant outside: Mar 7 to Mar 21Sow outdoors: Mar 7 to Mar 21Plant for fall: Aug 19 to Sep 9
Start indoors: Feb 7 to Feb 21Transplant outside: Mar 21 to Apr 4Plant for fall: Jul 22 to Aug 12
Start indoors: Feb 7 to Feb 21Transplant outside: Mar 14 to Mar 28Plant for fall: Jul 22 to Aug 12
Start indoors: Feb 7 to Feb 21Transplant outside: Mar 21 to Apr 4Plant for fall: Jul 22 to Aug 12
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 5 to Aug 26
Sow outdoors: Feb 21 to Mar 14Plant for fall: Sep 2 to Sep 23
Sow outdoors: Feb 28 to Apr 11Plant for fall: Sep 16 to Oct 7
Start indoors: Mar 7 to Mar 14Transplant outside: Apr 18 to Apr 25Sow outdoors: Apr 11 to Apr 25Plant for fall: Aug 12 to Aug 26
Start indoors: Mar 7 to Mar 14Sow outdoors: Apr 11 to Apr 25Plant for fall: Aug 19 to Sep 2
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 5 to Aug 19
Sow outdoors: Mar 14 to Apr 11Plant for fall: Aug 19 to Sep 2
Sow outdoors: Mar 14 to Apr 4
Sow outdoors: Mar 21 to Apr 18Plant for fall: Aug 19 to Sep 2
Sow outdoors: Mar 21 to Apr 11Plant for fall: Sep 2 to Sep 23
Sow outdoors: Apr 11 to May 2Plant for fall: Aug 12 to Aug 26
Sow outdoors: Apr 11 to Apr 25
Transplant outside: Apr 18 to May 9
Plant for fall: Oct 14 to Nov 18
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Rutherford, 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 2 – Sep 30 |
| Kale | Feb 7 – Feb 21 | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | Aug 19 – Sep 9 |
| Broccoli | Feb 7 – Feb 21 | Mar 21 – Apr 4 | — | Jul 22 – Aug 12 |
| Cabbage | Feb 7 – Feb 21 | Mar 14 – Mar 28 | — | Jul 22 – Aug 12 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 7 – Feb 21 | Mar 21 – Apr 4 | — | Jul 22 – Aug 12 |
| 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 5 – Aug 26 |
| Spinach | — | — | Feb 21 – Mar 14 | Sep 2 – Sep 23 |
| Radishes | — | — | Feb 28 – Apr 11 | Sep 16 – Oct 7 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 7 – Mar 14 | Apr 18 – Apr 25 | Apr 11 – Apr 25 | Aug 12 – Aug 26 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 7 – Mar 14 | — | Apr 11 – Apr 25 | Aug 19 – Sep 2 |
| 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 5 – Aug 19 |
| Beets | — | — | Mar 14 – Apr 11 | Aug 19 – Sep 2 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Mar 14 – Apr 4 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Mar 21 – Apr 18 | Aug 19 – Sep 2 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Mar 21 – Apr 11 | Sep 2 – Sep 23 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Apr 11 – May 2 | Aug 12 – Aug 26 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Apr 11 – Apr 25 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Apr 18 – May 9 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 14 – Nov 18 |
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 Martin U Of T Branch E, TN weather station, 26 km away (elevation 341 ft (104 m)).
Frost dates near Rutherford
- Dyer Apr 4 · Oct 28
- Kenton Apr 4 · Oct 28
- Yorkville Apr 3 · Oct 29
- Sharon Apr 4 · Oct 28
- Bradford Apr 4 · Oct 28
- Trenton Apr 4 · Oct 28
- Idlewild Apr 4 · Oct 28
- Trimble Apr 3 · Oct 29
- Rives Apr 3 · Oct 29
- Greenfield Apr 3 · Nov 1
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Rutherford, TN?
The median last spring frost in Rutherford, TN is April 4. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after April 21, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Rutherford, TN?
The median first fall frost is October 28, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 15.
How long is the growing season in Rutherford, TN?
About 207 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Rutherford, TN?
Rutherford, TN is in USDA hardiness zone 7b.