Frost dates for 37934 — Knoxville, TN
Last spring frostApr 5median date
First fall frostNov 1median date
Growing season210 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone7bZone 7b
How Knoxville compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Knoxville falls between March 19 and April 21, a 33-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 20 and November 15.
- 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 76 nights a year at or below 32°F.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | March 19 |
| 50% (median) | April 5 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | April 21 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 20 |
| 50% (median) | November 1 |
| 90% (late) | November 15 |
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 Knoxville, TN
Frost dates for 37934 — Knoxville, 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 Knoxville, 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 Lenoir City, TN weather station, 13 km away (elevation 784 ft (239 m)).
ZIP codes in Knoxville: 37901 37902 37909 37912 37914 37915 37916 37917 37918 37919 37920 37921 37922 37923 37924 37927 37928 37929 37930 37931 37932 37933 37934 37938 37939 37940 37950 37995 37996 37997 37998
Frost dates near Knoxville
- Lenoir City Apr 5 · Nov 1
- Friendsville Apr 1 · Nov 2
- Louisville Apr 1 · Nov 2
- Alcoa Apr 1 · Nov 2
- Oak Ridge Mar 31 · Nov 4
- Rockford Apr 1 · Nov 2
- Powell Apr 11 · Oct 28
- Loudon Apr 5 · Nov 1
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Knoxville, TN?
The median last spring frost in Knoxville, TN is April 5. 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 Knoxville, TN?
The median first fall frost is November 1, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 20.
How long is the growing season in Knoxville, TN?
About 210 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Knoxville, TN?
Knoxville, TN is in USDA hardiness zone 7b.