Frost dates for 38183 — Germantown, TN
Last spring frostMar 16median date
First fall frostNov 16median date
Growing season245 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone8aZone 8a
How Germantown compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Germantown falls between February 27 and April 4, a 36-day window. The first fall frost falls between November 2 and December 3.
- The median last frost is 22 days earlier than the Tennessee median of Apr 7.
- Its 245-day growing season is among the longest of the 548 Tennessee places with a regular frost season.
- The last frost is 13 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 44 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Germantown shares its weather station with Memphis, TN, 5 km away, so the two have the same frost dates.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | February 27 |
| 50% (median) | March 16 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | April 4 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | November 2 |
| 50% (median) | November 16 |
| 90% (late) | December 3 |
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 Germantown, TN
Frost dates for 38183 — Germantown, TN — last frost Mar 16, first frost Nov 16, zone 8a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
JFMAMJJASOND
Start indoors: Dec 22 to Jan 5Start indoors: Dec 22 to Jan 5Transplant outside: Feb 16 to Mar 2
Start indoors: Jan 5 to Jan 19Transplant outside: Mar 30 to Apr 13
Start indoors: Jan 5 to Jan 19Transplant outside: Mar 30 to Apr 13
Start indoors: Jan 19 to Feb 2Transplant outside: Mar 23 to Apr 6
Start indoors: Jan 19 to Feb 2Transplant outside: Feb 23 to Mar 9Sow outdoors: Feb 16 to Mar 23Plant for fall: Sep 21 to Oct 19
Start indoors: Jan 19 to Feb 2Transplant outside: Feb 16 to Mar 2Sow outdoors: Feb 16 to Mar 2Plant for fall: Sep 7 to Sep 28
Start indoors: Jan 19 to Feb 2Transplant outside: Mar 2 to Mar 16Plant for fall: Aug 10 to Aug 31
Start indoors: Jan 19 to Feb 2Transplant outside: Feb 23 to Mar 9Plant for fall: Aug 10 to Aug 31
Start indoors: Jan 19 to Feb 2Transplant outside: Mar 2 to Mar 16Plant for fall: Aug 10 to Aug 31
Start indoors: Feb 2 to Feb 16Transplant outside: Apr 6 to Apr 20Sow outdoors: Apr 6 to Apr 20
Start indoors: Feb 2 to Feb 16Transplant outside: Mar 23 to Apr 6
Sow outdoors: Feb 2 to Feb 23Plant for fall: Aug 24 to Sep 14
Sow outdoors: Feb 2 to Feb 23Plant for fall: Sep 21 to Oct 12
Sow outdoors: Feb 9 to Mar 23Plant for fall: Oct 5 to Oct 26
Start indoors: Feb 16 to Feb 23Transplant outside: Mar 30 to Apr 6Sow outdoors: Mar 23 to Apr 6Plant for fall: Aug 31 to Sep 14
Start indoors: Feb 16 to Feb 23Sow outdoors: Mar 23 to Apr 6Plant for fall: Sep 7 to Sep 21
Start indoors: Feb 16 to Feb 23Sow outdoors: Mar 23 to Apr 6
Start indoors: Feb 16 to Feb 23Transplant outside: Mar 30 to Apr 13
Sow outdoors: Feb 23 to Mar 23Plant for fall: Aug 24 to Sep 7
Sow outdoors: Feb 23 to Mar 23Plant for fall: Sep 7 to Sep 21
Sow outdoors: Feb 23 to Mar 16
Sow outdoors: Mar 2 to Mar 30Plant for fall: Sep 7 to Sep 21
Sow outdoors: Mar 2 to Mar 23Plant for fall: Sep 21 to Oct 12
Sow outdoors: Mar 23 to Apr 13Plant for fall: Aug 31 to Sep 14
Sow outdoors: Mar 23 to Apr 6
Transplant outside: Mar 30 to Apr 20
Plant for fall: Nov 2 to Dec 7
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Germantown, TN
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Dec 22 – Jan 5 | Feb 16 – Mar 2 | — | — |
| Peppers | Jan 5 – Jan 19 | Mar 30 – Apr 13 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Jan 5 – Jan 19 | Mar 30 – Apr 13 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Jan 19 – Feb 2 | Mar 23 – Apr 6 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Jan 19 – Feb 2 | Feb 23 – Mar 9 | Feb 16 – Mar 23 | Sep 21 – Oct 19 |
| Kale | Jan 19 – Feb 2 | Feb 16 – Mar 2 | Feb 16 – Mar 2 | Sep 7 – Sep 28 |
| Broccoli | Jan 19 – Feb 2 | Mar 2 – Mar 16 | — | Aug 10 – Aug 31 |
| Cabbage | Jan 19 – Feb 2 | Feb 23 – Mar 9 | — | Aug 10 – Aug 31 |
| Cauliflower | Jan 19 – Feb 2 | Mar 2 – Mar 16 | — | Aug 10 – Aug 31 |
| Okra | Feb 2 – Feb 16 | Apr 6 – Apr 20 | Apr 6 – Apr 20 | — |
| Basil | Feb 2 – Feb 16 | Mar 23 – Apr 6 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Feb 2 – Feb 23 | Aug 24 – Sep 14 |
| Spinach | — | — | Feb 2 – Feb 23 | Sep 21 – Oct 12 |
| Radishes | — | — | Feb 9 – Mar 23 | Oct 5 – Oct 26 |
| Cucumbers | Feb 16 – Feb 23 | Mar 30 – Apr 6 | Mar 23 – Apr 6 | Aug 31 – Sep 14 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Feb 16 – Feb 23 | — | Mar 23 – Apr 6 | Sep 7 – Sep 21 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Feb 16 – Feb 23 | — | Mar 23 – Apr 6 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Feb 16 – Feb 23 | Mar 30 – Apr 13 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Feb 23 – Mar 23 | Aug 24 – Sep 7 |
| Beets | — | — | Feb 23 – Mar 23 | Sep 7 – Sep 21 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Feb 23 – Mar 16 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Mar 2 – Mar 30 | Sep 7 – Sep 21 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Mar 2 – Mar 23 | Sep 21 – Oct 12 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Mar 23 – Apr 13 | Aug 31 – Sep 14 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Mar 23 – Apr 6 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Mar 30 – Apr 20 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Nov 2 – Dec 7 |
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 Memphis Intl Ap, TN weather station, 16 km away (elevation 253 ft (77 m)).
ZIP codes in Germantown: 38138 38139 38183
Frost dates near Germantown
- Memphis Mar 16 · Nov 16
- Millington Mar 29 · Nov 5
- Ellendale Mar 29 · Nov 5
- Cordova Mar 29 · Nov 5
- Brunswick Mar 29 · Nov 5
- Arlington Mar 29 · Nov 5
- Tipton Mar 27 · Nov 4
- Drummonds Mar 27 · Nov 4
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Germantown, TN?
The median last spring frost in Germantown, TN is March 16. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after April 4, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Germantown, TN?
The median first fall frost is November 16, with about a 10% chance of frost before November 2.
How long is the growing season in Germantown, TN?
About 245 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Germantown, TN?
Germantown, TN is in USDA hardiness zone 8a.