Frost dates for 37830 — Oak Ridge, TN
Last spring frostApr 5median date
First fall frostNov 1median date
Growing season210 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone7bZone 7b
How Oak Ridge compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Oak Ridge falls between March 19 and April 19, a 31-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 19 and November 13.
- The median last frost is 2 days earlier than the Tennessee median of Apr 7.
- Its 210-day growing season is longer than 67% 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 75 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Knoxville, TN, 27 km away, the last frost here is 6 days earlier than there and the growing season is 10 days longer.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | March 19 |
| 50% (median) | April 5 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | April 19 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 19 |
| 50% (median) | November 1 |
| 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 Oak Ridge, TN
Frost dates for 37830 — Oak Ridge, TN — last frost Apr 5, first frost Nov 1, zone 7b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Jan 11 to Jan 25Transplant outside: Mar 8 to Mar 22
Start indoors: Jan 25 to Feb 8Transplant outside: Apr 19 to May 3
Start indoors: Jan 25 to Feb 8Transplant outside: Apr 19 to May 3
Start indoors: Feb 8 to Feb 22Transplant outside: Apr 12 to Apr 26
Start indoors: Feb 8 to Feb 22Transplant outside: Mar 15 to Mar 29Sow outdoors: Mar 8 to Apr 12Plant for fall: Sep 6 to Oct 4
Start indoors: Feb 8 to Feb 22Transplant outside: Mar 8 to Mar 22Sow outdoors: Mar 8 to Mar 22Plant for fall: Aug 23 to Sep 13
Start indoors: Feb 8 to Feb 22Transplant outside: Mar 22 to Apr 5Plant for fall: Jul 26 to Aug 16
Start indoors: Feb 8 to Feb 22Transplant outside: Mar 15 to Mar 29Plant for fall: Jul 26 to Aug 16
Start indoors: Feb 8 to Feb 22Transplant outside: Mar 22 to Apr 5Plant for fall: Jul 26 to Aug 16
Start indoors: Feb 22 to Mar 8Transplant outside: Apr 26 to May 10Sow outdoors: Apr 26 to May 10
Start indoors: Feb 22 to Mar 8Transplant outside: Apr 12 to Apr 26
Sow outdoors: Feb 22 to Mar 15Plant for fall: Aug 9 to Aug 30
Sow outdoors: Feb 22 to Mar 15Plant for fall: Sep 6 to Sep 27
Sow outdoors: Mar 1 to Apr 12Plant for fall: Sep 20 to Oct 11
Start indoors: Mar 8 to Mar 15Transplant outside: Apr 19 to Apr 26Sow outdoors: Apr 12 to Apr 26Plant for fall: Aug 16 to Aug 30
Start indoors: Mar 8 to Mar 15Sow outdoors: Apr 12 to Apr 26Plant for fall: Aug 23 to Sep 6
Start indoors: Mar 8 to Mar 15Sow outdoors: Apr 12 to Apr 26
Start indoors: Mar 8 to Mar 15Transplant outside: Apr 19 to May 3
Sow outdoors: Mar 15 to Apr 12Plant for fall: Aug 9 to Aug 23
Sow outdoors: Mar 15 to Apr 12Plant for fall: Aug 23 to Sep 6
Sow outdoors: Mar 15 to Apr 5
Sow outdoors: Mar 22 to Apr 19Plant for fall: Aug 23 to Sep 6
Sow outdoors: Mar 22 to Apr 12Plant for fall: Sep 6 to Sep 27
Sow outdoors: Apr 12 to May 3Plant for fall: Aug 16 to Aug 30
Sow outdoors: Apr 12 to Apr 26
Transplant outside: Apr 19 to May 10
Plant for fall: Oct 18 to Nov 22
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Oak Ridge, TN
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Jan 11 – Jan 25 | Mar 8 – Mar 22 | — | — |
| Peppers | Jan 25 – Feb 8 | Apr 19 – May 3 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Jan 25 – Feb 8 | Apr 19 – May 3 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Feb 8 – Feb 22 | Apr 12 – Apr 26 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Feb 8 – Feb 22 | Mar 15 – Mar 29 | Mar 8 – Apr 12 | Sep 6 – Oct 4 |
| Kale | Feb 8 – Feb 22 | Mar 8 – Mar 22 | Mar 8 – Mar 22 | Aug 23 – Sep 13 |
| Broccoli | Feb 8 – Feb 22 | Mar 22 – Apr 5 | — | Jul 26 – Aug 16 |
| Cabbage | Feb 8 – Feb 22 | Mar 15 – Mar 29 | — | Jul 26 – Aug 16 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 8 – Feb 22 | Mar 22 – Apr 5 | — | Jul 26 – Aug 16 |
| Okra | Feb 22 – Mar 8 | Apr 26 – May 10 | Apr 26 – May 10 | — |
| Basil | Feb 22 – Mar 8 | Apr 12 – Apr 26 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Feb 22 – Mar 15 | Aug 9 – Aug 30 |
| Spinach | — | — | Feb 22 – Mar 15 | Sep 6 – Sep 27 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 1 – Apr 12 | Sep 20 – Oct 11 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 8 – Mar 15 | Apr 19 – Apr 26 | Apr 12 – Apr 26 | Aug 16 – Aug 30 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 8 – Mar 15 | — | Apr 12 – Apr 26 | Aug 23 – Sep 6 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Mar 8 – Mar 15 | — | Apr 12 – Apr 26 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Mar 8 – Mar 15 | Apr 19 – May 3 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Mar 15 – Apr 12 | Aug 9 – Aug 23 |
| Beets | — | — | Mar 15 – Apr 12 | Aug 23 – Sep 6 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Mar 15 – Apr 5 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Mar 22 – Apr 19 | Aug 23 – Sep 6 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Mar 22 – Apr 12 | Sep 6 – Sep 27 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Apr 12 – May 3 | Aug 16 – Aug 30 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Apr 12 – Apr 26 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Apr 19 – May 10 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 18 – Nov 22 |
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 Oak Ridge Atdd, TN weather station, 2 km away (elevation 906 ft (276 m)).
ZIP codes in Oak Ridge: 37830 37831
Frost dates near Oak Ridge
- Oliver Springs Apr 5 · Nov 1
- Clinton Mar 31 · Nov 4
- Coalfield Apr 5 · Nov 1
- Briceville Mar 31 · Nov 4
- Petros Mar 31 · Nov 4
- Powell Apr 11 · Oct 28
- Heiskell Apr 22 · Oct 25
- Lake City Apr 22 · Oct 25
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Oak Ridge, TN?
The median last spring frost in Oak Ridge, TN is April 5. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after April 19, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Oak Ridge, TN?
The median first fall frost is November 1, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 19.
How long is the growing season in Oak Ridge, TN?
About 210 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Oak Ridge, TN?
Oak Ridge, TN is in USDA hardiness zone 7b.