Frost dates for 37402 — Chattanooga, TN
Last spring frostMar 31median date
First fall frostNov 6median date
Growing season220 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone8aZone 8a
How Chattanooga compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Chattanooga falls between March 15 and April 18, a 34-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 24 and November 26.
- The median last frost is 7 days earlier than the Tennessee median of Apr 7.
- Its 220-day growing season is longer than 91% of the 548 Tennessee places with a regular frost season (state median 206 days).
- 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.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | March 15 |
| 50% (median) | March 31 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | April 18 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 24 |
| 50% (median) | November 6 |
| 90% (late) | November 26 |
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 Chattanooga, TN
Frost dates for 37402 — Chattanooga, TN — last frost Mar 31, first frost Nov 6, zone 8a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Jan 6 to Jan 20Transplant outside: Mar 3 to Mar 17
Start indoors: Jan 20 to Feb 3Transplant outside: Apr 14 to Apr 28
Start indoors: Jan 20 to Feb 3Transplant outside: Apr 14 to Apr 28
Start indoors: Feb 3 to Feb 17Transplant outside: Apr 7 to Apr 21
Start indoors: Feb 3 to Feb 17Transplant outside: Mar 10 to Mar 24Sow outdoors: Mar 3 to Apr 7Plant for fall: Sep 11 to Oct 9
Start indoors: Feb 3 to Feb 17Transplant outside: Mar 3 to Mar 17Sow outdoors: Mar 3 to Mar 17Plant for fall: Aug 28 to Sep 18
Start indoors: Feb 3 to Feb 17Transplant outside: Mar 17 to Mar 31Plant for fall: Jul 31 to Aug 21
Start indoors: Feb 3 to Feb 17Transplant outside: Mar 10 to Mar 24Plant for fall: Jul 31 to Aug 21
Start indoors: Feb 3 to Feb 17Transplant outside: Mar 17 to Mar 31Plant for fall: Jul 31 to Aug 21
Start indoors: Feb 17 to Mar 3Transplant outside: Apr 21 to May 5Sow outdoors: Apr 21 to May 5
Start indoors: Feb 17 to Mar 3Transplant outside: Apr 7 to Apr 21
Sow outdoors: Feb 17 to Mar 10Plant for fall: Aug 14 to Sep 4
Sow outdoors: Feb 17 to Mar 10Plant for fall: Sep 11 to Oct 2
Sow outdoors: Feb 24 to Apr 7Plant for fall: Sep 25 to Oct 16
Start indoors: Mar 3 to Mar 10Transplant outside: Apr 14 to Apr 21Sow outdoors: Apr 7 to Apr 21Plant for fall: Aug 21 to Sep 4
Start indoors: Mar 3 to Mar 10Sow outdoors: Apr 7 to Apr 21Plant for fall: Aug 28 to Sep 11
Start indoors: Mar 3 to Mar 10Sow outdoors: Apr 7 to Apr 21
Start indoors: Mar 3 to Mar 10Transplant outside: Apr 14 to Apr 28
Sow outdoors: Mar 10 to Apr 7Plant for fall: Aug 14 to Aug 28
Sow outdoors: Mar 10 to Apr 7Plant for fall: Aug 28 to Sep 11
Sow outdoors: Mar 10 to Mar 31
Sow outdoors: Mar 17 to Apr 14Plant for fall: Aug 28 to Sep 11
Sow outdoors: Mar 17 to Apr 7Plant for fall: Sep 11 to Oct 2
Sow outdoors: Apr 7 to Apr 28Plant for fall: Aug 21 to Sep 4
Sow outdoors: Apr 7 to Apr 21
Transplant outside: Apr 14 to May 5
Plant for fall: Oct 23 to Nov 27
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Chattanooga, TN
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Jan 6 – Jan 20 | Mar 3 – Mar 17 | — | — |
| Peppers | Jan 20 – Feb 3 | Apr 14 – Apr 28 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Jan 20 – Feb 3 | Apr 14 – Apr 28 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Feb 3 – Feb 17 | Apr 7 – Apr 21 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Feb 3 – Feb 17 | Mar 10 – Mar 24 | Mar 3 – Apr 7 | Sep 11 – Oct 9 |
| Kale | Feb 3 – Feb 17 | Mar 3 – Mar 17 | Mar 3 – Mar 17 | Aug 28 – Sep 18 |
| Broccoli | Feb 3 – Feb 17 | Mar 17 – Mar 31 | — | Jul 31 – Aug 21 |
| Cabbage | Feb 3 – Feb 17 | Mar 10 – Mar 24 | — | Jul 31 – Aug 21 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 3 – Feb 17 | Mar 17 – Mar 31 | — | Jul 31 – Aug 21 |
| Okra | Feb 17 – Mar 3 | Apr 21 – May 5 | Apr 21 – May 5 | — |
| Basil | Feb 17 – Mar 3 | Apr 7 – Apr 21 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Feb 17 – Mar 10 | Aug 14 – Sep 4 |
| Spinach | — | — | Feb 17 – Mar 10 | Sep 11 – Oct 2 |
| Radishes | — | — | Feb 24 – Apr 7 | Sep 25 – Oct 16 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 3 – Mar 10 | Apr 14 – Apr 21 | Apr 7 – Apr 21 | Aug 21 – Sep 4 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 3 – Mar 10 | — | Apr 7 – Apr 21 | Aug 28 – Sep 11 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Mar 3 – Mar 10 | — | Apr 7 – Apr 21 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Mar 3 – Mar 10 | Apr 14 – Apr 28 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Mar 10 – Apr 7 | Aug 14 – Aug 28 |
| Beets | — | — | Mar 10 – Apr 7 | Aug 28 – Sep 11 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Mar 10 – Mar 31 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Mar 17 – Apr 14 | Aug 28 – Sep 11 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Mar 17 – Apr 7 | Sep 11 – Oct 2 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Apr 7 – Apr 28 | Aug 21 – Sep 4 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Apr 7 – Apr 21 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Apr 14 – May 5 | — | — |
| 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 Lookout Mtn-Point Park, TN weather station, 5 km away (elevation 2,110 ft (643 m)).
ZIP codes in Chattanooga: 37401 37402 37403 37404 37405 37406 37407 37408 37409 37410 37411 37412 37414 37415 37416 37419 37421 37422 37424 37450
Frost dates near Chattanooga
- Lookout Mountain Mar 31 · Nov 6
- Lupton City Mar 24 · Nov 9
- Signal Mountain Mar 31 · Nov 6
- Hixson Apr 7 · Oct 29
- Whiteside Mar 31 · Nov 6
- Guild Mar 31 · Nov 6
- Ooltewah Mar 24 · Nov 9
- Collegedale Mar 24 · Nov 9
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Chattanooga, TN?
The median last spring frost in Chattanooga, TN is March 31. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after April 18, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Chattanooga, TN?
The median first fall frost is November 6, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 24.
How long is the growing season in Chattanooga, TN?
About 220 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Chattanooga, TN?
Chattanooga, TN is in USDA hardiness zone 8a.