Last spring frost
Apr 1
Frost Dates for Nashville-Davidson metropolitan government (balance), TN
First fall frost
Oct 31
Growing season
213 days
Hardiness zone
7b
In an average year around Nashville-Davidson metropolitan government (balance), TN, the last spring frost (32°F) is about Apr 1 and the first fall frost is about Oct 31, giving roughly a 213-day growing season. To be safe most years, wait until Mar 16 before setting out tender plants.
Last spring frost
Dates the last frost of spring typically ends. Plant tender crops after the risk has passed for your comfort level.
| Frost intensity | Early (10%) | Average (50%) | Late (90%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Light (36°F) | May 4 | Apr 14 | Mar 31 |
| Freeze (32°F) | Apr 16 | Apr 1 | Mar 16 |
| Hard (28°F) | Apr 5 | Mar 20 | Mar 2 |
| Severe (24°F) | Mar 27 | Mar 8 | Feb 19 |
Show full probability table (all thresholds & percentiles)
| °F | 10% | 20% | 30% | 40% | 50% | 60% | 70% | 80% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36°F | May 4 | Apr 27 | Apr 21 | Apr 17 | Apr 14 | Apr 11 | Apr 8 | Apr 4 | Mar 31 |
| 32°F | Apr 16 | Apr 11 | Apr 7 | Apr 4 | Apr 1 | Mar 30 | Mar 25 | Mar 22 | Mar 16 |
| 28°F | Apr 5 | Apr 1 | Mar 28 | Mar 23 | Mar 20 | Mar 16 | Mar 13 | Mar 8 | Mar 2 |
| 24°F | Mar 27 | Mar 21 | Mar 16 | Mar 13 | Mar 8 | Mar 4 | Feb 28 | Feb 26 | Feb 19 |
| 20°F | Mar 17 | Mar 11 | Mar 5 | Mar 1 | Feb 27 | Feb 23 | Feb 17 | Feb 12 | Feb 5 |
| 16°F | Mar 8 | Feb 28 | Feb 24 | Feb 19 | Feb 14 | Feb 10 | Feb 5 | Jan 31 | Jan 23 |
First fall frost
Dates the first frost of fall typically arrives. Count back by a crop's days-to-maturity to know your planting cutoff.
| Frost intensity | Early (10%) | Average (50%) | Late (90%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Light (36°F) | Oct 9 | Oct 22 | Nov 3 |
| Freeze (32°F) | Oct 18 | Oct 31 | Nov 13 |
| Hard (28°F) | Oct 26 | Nov 9 | Nov 25 |
| Severe (24°F) | Nov 5 | Nov 22 | Dec 10 |
Show full probability table (all thresholds & percentiles)
| °F | 10% | 20% | 30% | 40% | 50% | 60% | 70% | 80% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36°F | Oct 9 | Oct 13 | Oct 17 | Oct 20 | Oct 22 | Oct 24 | Oct 27 | Oct 30 | Nov 3 |
| 32°F | Oct 18 | Oct 22 | Oct 25 | Oct 28 | Oct 31 | Nov 1 | Nov 5 | Nov 8 | Nov 13 |
| 28°F | Oct 26 | Oct 31 | Nov 3 | Nov 5 | Nov 9 | Nov 12 | Nov 15 | Nov 19 | Nov 25 |
| 24°F | Nov 5 | Nov 12 | Nov 15 | Nov 18 | Nov 22 | Nov 26 | Dec 1 | Dec 4 | Dec 10 |
| 20°F | Nov 15 | Nov 22 | Nov 28 | Dec 1 | Dec 5 | Dec 9 | Dec 13 | Dec 20 | Dec 27 |
| 16°F | Nov 30 | Dec 6 | Dec 10 | Dec 16 | Dec 23 | Dec 27 | Dec 31 | Jan 5 | Jan 14 |
Growing season is measured at 32°F with about 50% probability. Hardiness zone from the 2023 USDA map; frost normals from NOAA 1991-2020.
Where this data comes from
@endif These dates are computed from the nearest official weather station with long-term records: Shelby Bottoms Nature, Tn, about 5.4 miles away@if(!empty($station['elevation_ft'])), at 405 ft elevation. The further the station and the greater the elevation difference from your yard, the more your local frost timing can vary.
How we calculate these dates
Frost and freeze dates come from the NOAA 1991–2020 U.S. Climate Normals, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's 30-year averages for each weather station. A date shown at the 50% level is the median: in half of years the frost falls on or before it. The 10% and 90% columns show the early and late ends of the range, so you can plant on the odds you're comfortable with. These are long-term averages, not a forecast for this year - always check your local outlook before planting.
Source: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, 1991–2020 Climate Normals (public domain). Harman is not affiliated with or endorsed by NOAA.
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Nashville-Davidson metropolitan government (balance), TN?
On average, the last spring frost (32°F) around Nashville-Davidson metropolitan government (balance), TN is about Apr 1. In cooler years it can run later, so for a safer bet many gardeners wait until Mar 16.
When is the first frost in the fall?
The first fall frost around Nashville-Davidson metropolitan government (balance), TN typically arrives about Oct 31. Count back by a crop's days to maturity to find the latest date you can plant it.
When can I plant tomatoes and other tender crops?
Tender crops like tomatoes, peppers and basil are damaged by frost, so wait until the last spring frost has passed - around Apr 1 on average, or Mar 16 to be safe most years.
How long is the growing season here?
The frost-free growing season (between the last spring and first fall 32°F frost) is about 213 days in a typical year.
Are these dates a forecast for this year?
No. They are 30-year averages from the NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals, not a prediction for the current year. Use them for planning and always check your local weather forecast before planting or protecting crops.
Local weather for 37207 Planting calendar → Tennessee frost dates →
Data source: NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals · Page updated Aug 4, 2026