Frost Dates for Atoka, TN 38004
Last spring frost March 29 · First fall frost November 6 · 222 frost-free days · USDA Zone 8a
ZIP 38004 has about 12,000 people.
Long season: 222 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans March 14–April 14 (31 days). Fall frost risk spans October 24–November 18 (25 days).
Frost probability for 38004
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | April 14 | March 29 | March 14 |
| Fall (first frost) | October 24 | November 6 | November 18 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at COVINGTON 3 SW (15.7 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 222-day season in Atoka
In Atoka (222 frost-free days, a long season), 30 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 25 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.
| Crop | Start indoors | Plant out / sow | Days you have | Verdict | Last sow date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tomato | Feb 22 | Apr 12–Apr 19 | 180 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 180 available after Apr 12. | Jul 7 |
| Pepper | Feb 15 | Apr 12–Apr 19 | 180 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 180 available after Apr 12. | Jul 12 |
| Lettuce | Feb 1 | Mar 1–Mar 8 | 257 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 1 and again by Sep 15; both mature before Nov 13. | Sep 15 |
| Carrots | — | Mar 8–Mar 15 | 264 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 264 available after Mar 8. | Sep 4 |
| Cucumber | Mar 8 | Apr 12–Apr 19 | 194 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 12 and again by Aug 10; both mature before Oct 23. | Aug 10 |
| Beans | — | Apr 5–Apr 19 | 208 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 5 and again by Aug 17; both mature before Oct 30. | Aug 17 |
| Peas | — | Feb 1–Apr 12 | 285 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 285 available after Feb 1. | Aug 26 |
| Zucchini | Mar 15 | Apr 12–Apr 19 | 194 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 12 and again by Aug 15; both mature before Oct 23. | Aug 15 |
| Onion | Jan 4 | Mar 1–Mar 15 | 257 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 257 available after Mar 1. | — |
| Spinach | — | Feb 1–Mar 22 | 299 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 1 and again by Oct 4; both mature before Nov 27. | Oct 4 |
| Kale | Jan 18 | Mar 1–Mar 15 | 271 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 1 and again by Sep 19; both mature before Nov 27. | Sep 19 |
| Broccoli | Feb 1 | Mar 1–Mar 15 | 257 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 257 available after Mar 1. | Aug 11 |
| Cabbage | Feb 1 | Mar 1–Mar 15 | 271 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 271 available after Mar 1. | Sep 4 |
| Radish | — | Feb 1–Apr 26 | 285 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 1 and again by Oct 5; both mature before Nov 13. | Oct 5 |
| Beets | — | Feb 1–Apr 26 | 285 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 1 and again by Sep 5; both mature before Nov 13. | Sep 5 |
| Potatoes | — | Mar 15–Mar 22 | 243 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 243 available after Mar 15. | — |
| Garlic | — | Nov 6 | 327 | overwinter: Plant Nov 6 to Nov 27; harvest the following summer. | Nov 27 |
| Strawberry | — | Feb 22–Apr 19 | 278 | perennial: A perennial: plant Feb 22; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Mar 1 | Apr 5–Apr 12 | 194 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 194 available after Apr 5. | Jul 19 |
| Pumpkin | Mar 15 | Apr 12–Apr 12 | 187 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 187 available after Apr 12. | Jun 24 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 15 | Mar 22–Apr 5 | 236 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 236 available after Mar 22. | Aug 16 |
| Swiss Chard | Feb 1 | Mar 15–Mar 15 | 243 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 15 and again by Sep 5; both mature before Nov 13. | Sep 5 |
| Arugula | — | Feb 1–Apr 26 | 299 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 1 and again by Oct 4; both mature before Nov 27. | Oct 4 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Feb 1 | Mar 1–Mar 15 | 271 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 271 available after Mar 1. | Aug 5 |
| Butternut Squash | Mar 15 | Apr 12–Apr 19 | 187 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 187 available after Apr 12. | Jun 24 |
| Eggplant | Feb 8 | Apr 12–Apr 19 | 180 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 180 available after Apr 12. | Jul 17 |
| Okra | Mar 1 | Apr 5–Apr 12 | 201 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 5 and again by Aug 15; both mature before Oct 23. | Aug 15 |
| Basil | Feb 22 | Apr 19–Apr 19 | 187 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 19 and again by Aug 10; both mature before Oct 23. | Aug 10 |
| Cilantro | — | Mar 1–Mar 22 | 257 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 1 and again by Sep 10; both mature before Nov 13. | Sep 10 |
| Parsley | Jan 18 | Apr 5–Apr 12 | 222 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 222 available after Apr 5. | Aug 21 |
| Celery | Jan 18 | Apr 5–Apr 19 | 222 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 222 available after Apr 5. | Jul 2 |
| Scallions | Jan 18 | Mar 1–Mar 15 | 271 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 1 and again by Sep 14; both mature before Nov 27. | Sep 14 |
| Turnip | — | Mar 1–Mar 15 | 271 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 1 and again by Sep 24; both mature before Nov 27. | Sep 24 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Feb 15–Mar 1 | 285 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 15 and again by Sep 19; both mature before Nov 27. | Sep 19 |
| Bok Choy | Mar 1 | Mar 22–Mar 29 | 236 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 22 and again by Sep 15; both mature before Nov 13. | Sep 15 |
| Collards | Jan 18 | Mar 1–Mar 15 | 271 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 1 and again by Sep 14; both mature before Nov 27. | Sep 14 |
| Cantaloupe | Mar 15 | Apr 12–Apr 19 | 180 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 180 available after Apr 12. | Jul 2 |
| Chives | Jan 4 | Apr 5–Apr 12 | 236 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 236 available after Apr 5. | — |
| Dill | — | Feb 1–Apr 26 | 285 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 1 and again by Sep 5; both mature before Nov 13. | Sep 5 |
| Oregano | Jan 18 | Apr 5–Apr 12 | 236 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 236 available after Apr 5. | — |
| Rosemary | Jan 4 | Apr 5–Apr 12 | 222 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 222 available after Apr 5. | — |
| Sage | Feb 1 | Apr 5–Apr 12 | 236 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 236 available after Apr 5. | — |
| Thyme | Jan 18 | Apr 5–Apr 12 | 236 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 236 available after Apr 5. | — |
| Calendula | Feb 15 | Mar 15–Mar 29 | 243 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 15 and again by Sep 10; both mature before Nov 13. | Sep 10 |
| Cosmos | Mar 1 | Mar 29–Apr 12 | 208 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 29 and again by Aug 10; both mature before Oct 23. | Aug 10 |
| Lavender | Jan 4 | Mar 29–Apr 12 | 243 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 243 available after Mar 29. | — |
| Marigolds | Feb 15 | Mar 29–Apr 5 | 208 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 29 and again by Aug 20; both mature before Oct 23. | Aug 20 |
| Melons | Mar 15 | Apr 12–Apr 19 | 180 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 180 available after Apr 12. | Jul 2 |
| Mint | — | Mar 29–Apr 12 | 243 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 243 available after Mar 29. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Mar 1 | Mar 29–Apr 5 | 208 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 29 and again by Aug 15; both mature before Oct 23. | Aug 15 |
| Pole Beans | — | Apr 5–Apr 19 | 201 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 201 available after Apr 5. | Aug 5 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Mar 15 | Apr 12–Apr 19 | 187 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 187 available after Apr 12. | Jul 4 |
| Sunflowers | — | Mar 29–Apr 12 | 208 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 208 available after Mar 29. | Jul 31 |
| Tomatillos | Feb 1 | Apr 5–Apr 12 | 187 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 187 available after Apr 5. | Jul 12 |
| Watermelon | Mar 15 | Apr 5–Apr 12 | 187 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 187 available after Apr 5. | Jul 7 |
| Yellow Squash | Mar 15 | Apr 12–Apr 19 | 194 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 12 and again by Aug 15; both mature before Oct 23. | Aug 15 |
| Zinnias | Mar 1 | Mar 29–Apr 12 | 208 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 29 and again by Aug 10; both mature before Oct 23. | Aug 10 |
Month by month in Atoka
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Start indoors: Chives (Jan 4), Lavender (Jan 4), Onion (Jan 4), Rosemary (Jan 4), Celery (Jan 18), Collards (Jan 18), +5 more. |
| February | Start indoors: Broccoli (Feb 1), Brussel Sprouts (Feb 1), Cabbage (Feb 1), Lettuce (Feb 1), Sage (Feb 1), Swiss Chard (Feb 1), +8 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Feb 1), Beets (Feb 1), Dill (Feb 1), Peas (Feb 1), Radish (Feb 1), Spinach (Feb 1), +1 more. Plant: Strawberry (Feb 22). |
| March | Start indoors: Bok Choy (Mar 1), Corn (Mar 1), Cosmos (Mar 1), Nasturtiums (Mar 1), Okra (Mar 1), Zinnias (Mar 1), +9 more. Direct sow from: Cilantro (Mar 1), Turnip (Mar 1), Carrots (Mar 8), Potatoes (Mar 15), Sunflowers (Mar 29). Transplant from: Broccoli (Mar 1), Brussel Sprouts (Mar 1), Cabbage (Mar 1), Collards (Mar 1), Kale (Mar 1), Lettuce (Mar 1), +12 more. Last frost around March 29. |
| April | Direct sow from: Beans (Apr 5), Pole Beans (Apr 5). Transplant from: Celery (Apr 5), Chives (Apr 5), Corn (Apr 5), Okra (Apr 5), Oregano (Apr 5), Parsley (Apr 5), +17 more. |
| May | Succession plant lettuce and greens. Keep beds weeded and watered consistently. |
| June | Last sowing dates: Butternut Squash (Jun 24), Pumpkin (Jun 24). |
| July | Last sowing dates: Cantaloupe (Jul 2), Celery (Jul 2), Melons (Jul 2), Spaghetti Squash (Jul 4), Tomato (Jul 7), Watermelon (Jul 7), +5 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Brussel Sprouts (Aug 5), Pole Beans (Aug 5), Basil (Aug 10), Cosmos (Aug 10), Cucumber (Aug 10), Zinnias (Aug 10), +10 more. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Cabbage (Sep 4), Carrots (Sep 4), Beets (Sep 5), Dill (Sep 5), Swiss Chard (Sep 5), Calendula (Sep 10), +8 more. |
| October | Last sowing dates: Arugula (Oct 4), Spinach (Oct 4), Radish (Oct 5). |
| November | Direct sow from: Garlic (Nov 6). First frost around November 6. Last sowing dates: Garlic (Nov 27). |
| December | Harvest remaining cold-hardy crops: kale, carrots, and beets. Plant garlic bulbs for next year. |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the last frost date for Atoka, TN (ZIP 38004)?
The median last spring frost date for Atoka, TN (ZIP code 38004) is around March 29. This is the 50th-percentile date — meaning half of all years see frost end before this date. Use the 10% and 90% dates to understand the full range of risk in your area. One year in ten frost ends before March 14; one in ten it runs past April 14.
What is the first fall frost date in Atoka, TN?
The median first fall frost date for Atoka, TN is around November 6. Plan to harvest or protect frost-sensitive crops like tomatoes and peppers at least a week before this date to avoid losses. The first frost arrives around October 24 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Atoka, TN?
The frost-free growing season in Atoka is about 222 days. This window — from your last spring frost to your first fall frost — is when warm-season vegetables thrive. Cold-hardy crops like kale, spinach, and peas can extend your season by weeks on either side. In Atoka (222 frost-free days, a long season), 30 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 25 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.
What USDA hardiness zone is Atoka, TN?
Atoka, TN is in USDA hardiness zone 8a (2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map). Zones come from the average coldest winter temperature, so they tell you which perennials survive the winter; the frost dates on this page tell you when to plant.
When should I start tomatoes indoors in Atoka, TN?
Start tomatoes indoors Feb 22 and plant out Apr 12 in Atoka. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Atoka?
Two: plant Mar 1 and again by Sep 15; both mature before Nov 13.
When do I plant garlic in Atoka?
Nov 6 to Nov 27; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Can I get two tomato crops in Atoka?
Yes: plant out Apr 12 for a summer crop, and set out a second round of transplants by Jul 7 for a fall crop.
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