Frost dates for 37416 — Chattanooga, TN
Last spring frostMar 24median date
First fall frostNov 9median date
Growing season230 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone8aZone 8a
How Chattanooga compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Chattanooga falls between March 6 and April 8, a 33-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 27 and November 26.
- The median last frost is 14 days earlier than the Tennessee median of Apr 7.
- Its 230-day growing season is among the longest of the 548 Tennessee places with a regular frost season.
- The last frost is 5 days earlier than the zone 8a median of Mar 29. Hardiness zones measure winter cold, not season length, so use these dates rather than a zone 8a chart.
- The weather station records an average of 56 nights a year at or below 32°F.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | March 6 |
| 50% (median) | March 24 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | April 8 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 27 |
| 50% (median) | November 9 |
| 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 37416 — Chattanooga, TN — last frost Mar 24, first frost Nov 9, zone 8a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
JFMAMJJASOND
Start indoors: Dec 30 to Jan 13Start indoors: Dec 30 to Jan 13Transplant outside: Feb 24 to Mar 10
Start indoors: Jan 13 to Jan 27Transplant outside: Apr 7 to Apr 21
Start indoors: Jan 13 to Jan 27Transplant outside: Apr 7 to Apr 21
Start indoors: Jan 27 to Feb 10Transplant outside: Mar 31 to Apr 14
Start indoors: Jan 27 to Feb 10Transplant outside: Mar 3 to Mar 17Sow outdoors: Feb 24 to Mar 31Plant for fall: Sep 14 to Oct 12
Start indoors: Jan 27 to Feb 10Transplant outside: Feb 24 to Mar 10Sow outdoors: Feb 24 to Mar 10Plant for fall: Aug 31 to Sep 21
Start indoors: Jan 27 to Feb 10Transplant outside: Mar 10 to Mar 24Plant for fall: Aug 3 to Aug 24
Start indoors: Jan 27 to Feb 10Transplant outside: Mar 3 to Mar 17Plant for fall: Aug 3 to Aug 24
Start indoors: Jan 27 to Feb 10Transplant outside: Mar 10 to Mar 24Plant for fall: Aug 3 to Aug 24
Start indoors: Feb 10 to Feb 24Transplant outside: Apr 14 to Apr 28Sow outdoors: Apr 14 to Apr 28
Start indoors: Feb 10 to Feb 24Transplant outside: Mar 31 to Apr 14
Sow outdoors: Feb 10 to Mar 3Plant for fall: Aug 17 to Sep 7
Sow outdoors: Feb 10 to Mar 3Plant for fall: Sep 14 to Oct 5
Sow outdoors: Feb 17 to Mar 31Plant for fall: Sep 28 to Oct 19
Start indoors: Feb 24 to Mar 3Transplant outside: Apr 7 to Apr 14Sow outdoors: Mar 31 to Apr 14Plant for fall: Aug 24 to Sep 7
Start indoors: Feb 24 to Mar 3Sow outdoors: Mar 31 to Apr 14Plant for fall: Aug 31 to Sep 14
Start indoors: Feb 24 to Mar 3Sow outdoors: Mar 31 to Apr 14
Start indoors: Feb 24 to Mar 3Transplant outside: Apr 7 to Apr 21
Sow outdoors: Mar 3 to Mar 31Plant for fall: Aug 17 to Aug 31
Sow outdoors: Mar 3 to Mar 31Plant for fall: Aug 31 to Sep 14
Sow outdoors: Mar 3 to Mar 24
Sow outdoors: Mar 10 to Apr 7Plant for fall: Aug 31 to Sep 14
Sow outdoors: Mar 10 to Mar 31Plant for fall: Sep 14 to Oct 5
Sow outdoors: Mar 31 to Apr 21Plant for fall: Aug 24 to Sep 7
Sow outdoors: Mar 31 to Apr 14
Transplant outside: Apr 7 to Apr 28
Plant for fall: Oct 26 to Nov 30
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Chattanooga, TN
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Dec 30 – Jan 13 | Feb 24 – Mar 10 | — | — |
| Peppers | Jan 13 – Jan 27 | Apr 7 – Apr 21 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Jan 13 – Jan 27 | Apr 7 – Apr 21 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Jan 27 – Feb 10 | Mar 31 – Apr 14 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Jan 27 – Feb 10 | Mar 3 – Mar 17 | Feb 24 – Mar 31 | Sep 14 – Oct 12 |
| Kale | Jan 27 – Feb 10 | Feb 24 – Mar 10 | Feb 24 – Mar 10 | Aug 31 – Sep 21 |
| Broccoli | Jan 27 – Feb 10 | Mar 10 – Mar 24 | — | Aug 3 – Aug 24 |
| Cabbage | Jan 27 – Feb 10 | Mar 3 – Mar 17 | — | Aug 3 – Aug 24 |
| Cauliflower | Jan 27 – Feb 10 | Mar 10 – Mar 24 | — | Aug 3 – Aug 24 |
| Okra | Feb 10 – Feb 24 | Apr 14 – Apr 28 | Apr 14 – Apr 28 | — |
| Basil | Feb 10 – Feb 24 | Mar 31 – Apr 14 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Feb 10 – Mar 3 | Aug 17 – Sep 7 |
| Spinach | — | — | Feb 10 – Mar 3 | Sep 14 – Oct 5 |
| Radishes | — | — | Feb 17 – Mar 31 | Sep 28 – Oct 19 |
| Cucumbers | Feb 24 – Mar 3 | Apr 7 – Apr 14 | Mar 31 – Apr 14 | Aug 24 – Sep 7 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Feb 24 – Mar 3 | — | Mar 31 – Apr 14 | Aug 31 – Sep 14 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Feb 24 – Mar 3 | — | Mar 31 – Apr 14 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Feb 24 – Mar 3 | Apr 7 – Apr 21 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Mar 3 – Mar 31 | Aug 17 – Aug 31 |
| Beets | — | — | Mar 3 – Mar 31 | Aug 31 – Sep 14 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Mar 3 – Mar 24 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Mar 10 – Apr 7 | Aug 31 – Sep 14 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Mar 10 – Mar 31 | Sep 14 – Oct 5 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Mar 31 – Apr 21 | Aug 24 – Sep 7 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Mar 31 – Apr 14 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Apr 7 – Apr 28 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 26 – Nov 30 |
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 Chattanooga Lovell Ap, TN weather station, 7 km away (elevation 673 ft (205 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
- Lupton City Mar 24 · Nov 9
- Hixson Apr 7 · Oct 29
- Ooltewah Mar 24 · Nov 9
- Harrison Mar 24 · Nov 9
- Collegedale Mar 24 · Nov 9
- Signal Mountain Mar 31 · Nov 6
- Soddy Daisy Apr 7 · Oct 29
- Apison 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 24. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after April 8, 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 9, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 27.
How long is the growing season in Chattanooga, TN?
About 230 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.