Frost dates for 37303 — Athens, TN
Last spring frostApr 6median date
First fall frostOct 31median date
Growing season208 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone7bZone 7b
How Athens compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Athens falls between March 20 and April 24, a 35-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 20 and November 13.
- The median last frost is 1 day earlier than the Tennessee median of Apr 7.
- Its 208-day growing season is longer than 63% 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 85 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Chattanooga, TN, 77 km away, the last frost here is 6 days later than there and the growing season is 12 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | March 20 |
| 50% (median) | April 6 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | April 24 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 20 |
| 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 Athens, TN
Frost dates for 37303 — Athens, TN — last frost Apr 6, first frost Oct 31, zone 7b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Jan 12 to Jan 26Transplant outside: Mar 9 to Mar 23
Start indoors: Jan 26 to Feb 9Transplant outside: Apr 20 to May 4
Start indoors: Jan 26 to Feb 9Transplant outside: Apr 20 to May 4
Start indoors: Feb 9 to Feb 23Transplant outside: Apr 13 to Apr 27
Start indoors: Feb 9 to Feb 23Transplant outside: Mar 16 to Mar 30Sow outdoors: Mar 9 to Apr 13Plant for fall: Sep 5 to Oct 3
Start indoors: Feb 9 to Feb 23Transplant outside: Mar 9 to Mar 23Sow outdoors: Mar 9 to Mar 23Plant for fall: Aug 22 to Sep 12
Start indoors: Feb 9 to Feb 23Transplant outside: Mar 23 to Apr 6Plant for fall: Jul 25 to Aug 15
Start indoors: Feb 9 to Feb 23Transplant outside: Mar 16 to Mar 30Plant for fall: Jul 25 to Aug 15
Start indoors: Feb 9 to Feb 23Transplant outside: Mar 23 to Apr 6Plant for fall: Jul 25 to Aug 15
Start indoors: Feb 23 to Mar 9Transplant outside: Apr 27 to May 11Sow outdoors: Apr 27 to May 11
Start indoors: Feb 23 to Mar 9Transplant outside: Apr 13 to Apr 27
Sow outdoors: Feb 23 to Mar 16Plant for fall: Aug 8 to Aug 29
Sow outdoors: Feb 23 to Mar 16Plant for fall: Sep 5 to Sep 26
Sow outdoors: Mar 2 to Apr 13Plant for fall: Sep 19 to Oct 10
Start indoors: Mar 9 to Mar 16Transplant outside: Apr 20 to Apr 27Sow outdoors: Apr 13 to Apr 27Plant for fall: Aug 15 to Aug 29
Start indoors: Mar 9 to Mar 16Sow outdoors: Apr 13 to Apr 27Plant for fall: Aug 22 to Sep 5
Start indoors: Mar 9 to Mar 16Sow outdoors: Apr 13 to Apr 27
Start indoors: Mar 9 to Mar 16Transplant outside: Apr 20 to May 4
Sow outdoors: Mar 16 to Apr 13Plant for fall: Aug 8 to Aug 22
Sow outdoors: Mar 16 to Apr 13Plant for fall: Aug 22 to Sep 5
Sow outdoors: Mar 16 to Apr 6
Sow outdoors: Mar 23 to Apr 20Plant for fall: Aug 22 to Sep 5
Sow outdoors: Mar 23 to Apr 13Plant for fall: Sep 5 to Sep 26
Sow outdoors: Apr 13 to May 4Plant for fall: Aug 15 to Aug 29
Sow outdoors: Apr 13 to Apr 27
Transplant outside: Apr 20 to May 11
Plant for fall: Oct 17 to Nov 21
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Athens, TN
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Jan 12 – Jan 26 | Mar 9 – Mar 23 | — | — |
| Peppers | Jan 26 – Feb 9 | Apr 20 – May 4 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Jan 26 – Feb 9 | Apr 20 – May 4 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Feb 9 – Feb 23 | Apr 13 – Apr 27 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Feb 9 – Feb 23 | Mar 16 – Mar 30 | Mar 9 – Apr 13 | Sep 5 – Oct 3 |
| Kale | Feb 9 – Feb 23 | Mar 9 – Mar 23 | Mar 9 – Mar 23 | Aug 22 – Sep 12 |
| Broccoli | Feb 9 – Feb 23 | Mar 23 – Apr 6 | — | Jul 25 – Aug 15 |
| Cabbage | Feb 9 – Feb 23 | Mar 16 – Mar 30 | — | Jul 25 – Aug 15 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 9 – Feb 23 | Mar 23 – Apr 6 | — | Jul 25 – Aug 15 |
| Okra | Feb 23 – Mar 9 | Apr 27 – May 11 | Apr 27 – May 11 | — |
| Basil | Feb 23 – Mar 9 | Apr 13 – Apr 27 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Feb 23 – Mar 16 | Aug 8 – Aug 29 |
| Spinach | — | — | Feb 23 – Mar 16 | Sep 5 – Sep 26 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 2 – Apr 13 | Sep 19 – Oct 10 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 9 – Mar 16 | Apr 20 – Apr 27 | Apr 13 – Apr 27 | Aug 15 – Aug 29 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 9 – Mar 16 | — | Apr 13 – Apr 27 | Aug 22 – Sep 5 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Mar 9 – Mar 16 | — | Apr 13 – Apr 27 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Mar 9 – Mar 16 | Apr 20 – May 4 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Mar 16 – Apr 13 | Aug 8 – Aug 22 |
| Beets | — | — | Mar 16 – Apr 13 | Aug 22 – Sep 5 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Mar 16 – Apr 6 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Mar 23 – Apr 20 | Aug 22 – Sep 5 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Mar 23 – Apr 13 | Sep 5 – Sep 26 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Apr 13 – May 4 | Aug 15 – Aug 29 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Apr 13 – Apr 27 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Apr 20 – May 11 | — | — |
| 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 Athens, TN weather station, 3 km away (elevation 942 ft (287 m)).
ZIP codes in Athens: 37303 37371
Frost dates near Athens
- Englewood Apr 6 · Oct 31
- Riceville Apr 6 · Oct 31
- Niota Apr 10 · Oct 27
- Etowah Apr 6 · Oct 31
- Calhoun Apr 6 · Oct 30
- Decatur Apr 4 · Oct 31
- Sweetwater Apr 10 · Oct 27
- Delano Apr 6 · Oct 30
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Athens, TN?
The median last spring frost in Athens, TN is April 6. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after April 24, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Athens, TN?
The median first fall frost is October 31, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 20.
How long is the growing season in Athens, TN?
About 208 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Athens, TN?
Athens, TN is in USDA hardiness zone 7b.