Frost Dates for Knoxville, TN 37923
Knoxville has 18 ZIP codes. The Knoxville, TN frost page lists all of them with their dates.
Last spring frost April 13 · First fall frost October 23 · 193 frost-free days · USDA Zone 7b
ZIP 37923 has about 30,100 people, one of 18 ZIP codes in Knoxville.
Long season: 193 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans March 29–April 28 (30 days). Fall frost risk spans October 8–November 6 (29 days).
Frost probability for 37923
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | April 28 | April 13 | March 29 |
| Fall (first frost) | October 8 | October 23 | November 6 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at OAK RIDGE ATDD (14.8 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 193-day season in Knoxville
In Knoxville (193 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 | Mar 9 | Apr 27–May 4 | 151 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 151 available after Apr 27. | Jun 23 |
| Pepper | Mar 2 | Apr 27–May 4 | 151 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 151 available after Apr 27. | Jun 28 |
| Lettuce | Feb 16 | Mar 16–Mar 23 | 228 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 16 and again by Sep 1; both mature before Oct 30. | Sep 1 |
| Carrots | — | Mar 23–Mar 30 | 235 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 235 available after Mar 23. | Aug 21 |
| Cucumber | Mar 23 | Apr 27–May 4 | 165 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 27 and again by Jul 27; both mature before Oct 9. | Jul 27 |
| Beans | — | Apr 20–May 4 | 179 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 20 and again by Aug 3; both mature before Oct 16. | Aug 3 |
| Peas | — | Feb 16–Apr 27 | 256 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 256 available after Feb 16. | Aug 12 |
| Zucchini | Mar 30 | Apr 27–May 4 | 165 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 27 and again by Aug 1; both mature before Oct 9. | Aug 1 |
| Onion | Jan 19 | Mar 16–Mar 30 | 228 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 228 available after Mar 16. | — |
| Spinach | — | Feb 16–Apr 6 | 270 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 16 and again by Sep 20; both mature before Nov 13. | Sep 20 |
| Kale | Feb 2 | Mar 16–Mar 30 | 242 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 16 and again by Sep 5; both mature before Nov 13. | Sep 5 |
| Broccoli | Feb 16 | Mar 16–Mar 30 | 228 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 228 available after Mar 16. | Jul 28 |
| Cabbage | Feb 16 | Mar 16–Mar 30 | 242 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 242 available after Mar 16. | Aug 21 |
| Radish | — | Feb 16–May 11 | 256 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 16 and again by Sep 21; both mature before Oct 30. | Sep 21 |
| Beets | — | Feb 16–May 11 | 256 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 16 and again by Aug 22; both mature before Oct 30. | Aug 22 |
| Potatoes | — | Mar 30–Apr 6 | 214 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 214 available after Mar 30. | — |
| Garlic | — | Oct 23 | 298 | overwinter: Plant Oct 23 to Nov 13; harvest the following summer. | Nov 13 |
| Strawberry | — | Mar 9–May 4 | 249 | perennial: A perennial: plant Mar 9; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Mar 16 | Apr 20–Apr 27 | 165 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 165 available after Apr 20. | Jul 5 |
| Pumpkin | Mar 30 | Apr 27–Apr 27 | 158 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 158 available after Apr 27. | Jun 10 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 2 | Apr 6–Apr 20 | 207 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 207 available after Apr 6. | Aug 2 |
| Swiss Chard | Feb 16 | Mar 30–Mar 30 | 214 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 30 and again by Aug 22; both mature before Oct 30. | Aug 22 |
| Arugula | — | Feb 16–May 11 | 270 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 16 and again by Sep 20; both mature before Nov 13. | Sep 20 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Feb 16 | Mar 16–Mar 30 | 242 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 242 available after Mar 16. | Jul 22 |
| Butternut Squash | Mar 30 | Apr 27–May 4 | 158 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 158 available after Apr 27. | Jun 10 |
| Eggplant | Feb 23 | Apr 27–May 4 | 151 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 151 available after Apr 27. | Jul 3 |
| Okra | Mar 16 | Apr 20–Apr 27 | 172 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 20 and again by Aug 1; both mature before Oct 9. | Aug 1 |
| Basil | Mar 9 | May 4–May 4 | 158 | two-plantings: Plant May 4 and again by Jul 27; both mature before Oct 9. | Jul 27 |
| Cilantro | — | Mar 16–Apr 6 | 228 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 16 and again by Aug 27; both mature before Oct 30. | Aug 27 |
| Parsley | Feb 2 | Apr 20–Apr 27 | 193 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 193 available after Apr 20. | Aug 7 |
| Celery | Feb 2 | Apr 20–May 4 | 193 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 193 available after Apr 20. | Jun 18 |
| Scallions | Feb 2 | Mar 16–Mar 30 | 242 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 16 and again by Aug 31; both mature before Nov 13. | Aug 31 |
| Turnip | — | Mar 16–Mar 30 | 242 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 16 and again by Sep 10; both mature before Nov 13. | Sep 10 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Mar 2–Mar 16 | 256 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 2 and again by Sep 5; both mature before Nov 13. | Sep 5 |
| Bok Choy | Mar 16 | Apr 6–Apr 13 | 207 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 6 and again by Sep 1; both mature before Oct 30. | Sep 1 |
| Collards | Feb 2 | Mar 16–Mar 30 | 242 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 16 and again by Aug 31; both mature before Nov 13. | Aug 31 |
| Cantaloupe | Mar 30 | Apr 27–May 4 | 151 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 151 available after Apr 27. | Jun 18 |
| Chives | Jan 19 | Apr 20–Apr 27 | 207 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 207 available after Apr 20. | — |
| Dill | — | Feb 16–May 11 | 256 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 16 and again by Aug 22; both mature before Oct 30. | Aug 22 |
| Oregano | Feb 2 | Apr 20–Apr 27 | 207 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 207 available after Apr 20. | — |
| Rosemary | Jan 19 | Apr 20–Apr 27 | 193 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 193 available after Apr 20. | — |
| Sage | Feb 16 | Apr 20–Apr 27 | 207 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 207 available after Apr 20. | — |
| Thyme | Feb 2 | Apr 20–Apr 27 | 207 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 207 available after Apr 20. | — |
| Calendula | Mar 2 | Mar 30–Apr 13 | 214 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 30 and again by Aug 27; both mature before Oct 30. | Aug 27 |
| Cosmos | Mar 16 | Apr 13–Apr 27 | 179 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 13 and again by Jul 27; both mature before Oct 9. | Jul 27 |
| Lavender | Jan 19 | Apr 13–Apr 27 | 214 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 214 available after Apr 13. | — |
| Marigolds | Mar 2 | Apr 13–Apr 20 | 179 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 13 and again by Aug 6; both mature before Oct 9. | Aug 6 |
| Melons | Mar 30 | Apr 27–May 4 | 151 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 151 available after Apr 27. | Jun 18 |
| Mint | — | Apr 13–Apr 27 | 214 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 214 available after Apr 13. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Mar 16 | Apr 13–Apr 20 | 179 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 13 and again by Aug 1; both mature before Oct 9. | Aug 1 |
| Pole Beans | — | Apr 20–May 4 | 172 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 172 available after Apr 20. | Jul 22 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Mar 30 | Apr 27–May 4 | 158 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 158 available after Apr 27. | Jun 20 |
| Sunflowers | — | Apr 13–Apr 27 | 179 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 179 available after Apr 13. | Jul 17 |
| Tomatillos | Feb 16 | Apr 20–Apr 27 | 158 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 158 available after Apr 20. | Jun 28 |
| Watermelon | Mar 30 | Apr 20–Apr 27 | 158 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 158 available after Apr 20. | Jun 23 |
| Yellow Squash | Mar 30 | Apr 27–May 4 | 165 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 27 and again by Aug 1; both mature before Oct 9. | Aug 1 |
| Zinnias | Mar 16 | Apr 13–Apr 27 | 179 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 13 and again by Jul 27; both mature before Oct 9. | Jul 27 |
Month by month in Knoxville
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Start indoors: Chives (Jan 19), Lavender (Jan 19), Onion (Jan 19), Rosemary (Jan 19). |
| February | Start indoors: Celery (Feb 2), Collards (Feb 2), Kale (Feb 2), Oregano (Feb 2), Parsley (Feb 2), Scallions (Feb 2), +9 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Feb 16), Beets (Feb 16), Dill (Feb 16), Peas (Feb 16), Radish (Feb 16), Spinach (Feb 16). |
| March | Start indoors: Calendula (Mar 2), Cauliflower (Mar 2), Marigolds (Mar 2), Pepper (Mar 2), Basil (Mar 9), Tomato (Mar 9), +15 more. Direct sow from: Kohlrabi (Mar 2), Cilantro (Mar 16), Turnip (Mar 16), Carrots (Mar 23), Potatoes (Mar 30). Transplant from: Broccoli (Mar 16), Brussel Sprouts (Mar 16), Cabbage (Mar 16), Collards (Mar 16), Kale (Mar 16), Lettuce (Mar 16), +4 more. Plant: Strawberry (Mar 9). |
| April | Direct sow from: Sunflowers (Apr 13), Beans (Apr 20), Pole Beans (Apr 20). Transplant from: Bok Choy (Apr 6), Cauliflower (Apr 6), Cosmos (Apr 13), Lavender (Apr 13), Marigolds (Apr 13), Mint (Apr 13), +24 more. Last frost around April 13. |
| May | Transplant from: Basil (May 4). |
| June | Last sowing dates: Butternut Squash (Jun 10), Pumpkin (Jun 10), Cantaloupe (Jun 18), Celery (Jun 18), Melons (Jun 18), Spaghetti Squash (Jun 20), +4 more. |
| July | Last sowing dates: Eggplant (Jul 3), Corn (Jul 5), Sunflowers (Jul 17), Brussel Sprouts (Jul 22), Pole Beans (Jul 22), Basil (Jul 27), +4 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Nasturtiums (Aug 1), Okra (Aug 1), Yellow Squash (Aug 1), Zucchini (Aug 1), Cauliflower (Aug 2), Beans (Aug 3), +12 more. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Bok Choy (Sep 1), Lettuce (Sep 1), Kale (Sep 5), Kohlrabi (Sep 5), Turnip (Sep 10), Arugula (Sep 20), +2 more. |
| October | Direct sow from: Garlic (Oct 23). First frost around October 23. |
| November | Last sowing dates: Garlic (Nov 13). |
| December | Clean up spent plants. Add compost to beds. Rest, review, and plan next year's garden. |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the last frost date for Knoxville, TN (ZIP 37923)?
The median last spring frost date for Knoxville, TN (ZIP code 37923) is around April 13. 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 29; one in ten it runs past April 28.
What is the first fall frost date in Knoxville, TN?
The median first fall frost date for Knoxville, TN is around October 23. 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 8 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Knoxville, TN?
The frost-free growing season in Knoxville is about 193 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 Knoxville (193 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 Knoxville, TN?
Knoxville, TN is in USDA hardiness zone 7b (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 Knoxville, TN?
Start tomatoes indoors Mar 9 and plant out Apr 27 in Knoxville. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Knoxville?
Two: plant Mar 16 and again by Sep 1; both mature before Oct 30.
When do I plant garlic in Knoxville?
Oct 23 to Nov 13; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Can I get two tomato crops in Knoxville?
Yes: plant out Apr 27 for a summer crop, and set out a second round of transplants by Jun 23 for a fall crop.
Which nearby ZIP has a longer season?
Farragut (ZIP 37934) has 200 frost-free days, 7 more than Knoxville (ZIP 37923). See Farragut ZIP 37934 frost dates
Nearby and related
- Frost dates for Knoxville, TN 37919 (4.5 mi)
- Frost dates for Farragut, TN 37934 (6.6 mi)
- Frost dates for Louisville, TN 37777 (7.1 mi)
- Frost dates for Knoxville, TN 37916 (8.4 mi)
- Frost dates for Powell, TN 37849 (9.2 mi)
- When to plant in Knoxville, TN: month-by-month guide
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- When to plant Cucumbers in TN
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- When to plant Butternut Squash in TN
- When to plant Basil in TN
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- Look up another ZIP