Frost Dates for Memphis, TN 38109
Memphis has 29 ZIP codes. The Memphis, TN frost page lists all of them with their dates.
Last spring frost March 27 · First fall frost November 6 · 224 frost-free days · USDA Zone 8a
ZIP 38109 has about 42,500 people, one of 29 ZIP codes in Memphis.
Long season: 224 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans March 11–April 12 (32 days). Fall frost risk spans October 22–November 23 (32 days).
Frost probability for 38109
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | April 12 | March 27 | March 11 |
| Fall (first frost) | October 22 | November 6 | November 23 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at W MEMPHIS (10.8 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 224-day season in Memphis
In Memphis (224 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 20 | Apr 10–Apr 17 | 182 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 182 available after Apr 10. | Jul 7 |
| Pepper | Feb 13 | Apr 10–Apr 17 | 182 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 182 available after Apr 10. | Jul 12 |
| Lettuce | Jan 30 | Feb 27–Mar 6 | 259 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 27 and again by Sep 15; both mature before Nov 13. | Sep 15 |
| Carrots | — | Mar 6–Mar 13 | 266 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 266 available after Mar 6. | Sep 4 |
| Cucumber | Mar 6 | Apr 10–Apr 17 | 196 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 10 and again by Aug 10; both mature before Oct 23. | Aug 10 |
| Beans | — | Apr 3–Apr 17 | 210 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 3 and again by Aug 17; both mature before Oct 30. | Aug 17 |
| Peas | — | Jan 30–Apr 10 | 287 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 287 available after Jan 30. | Aug 26 |
| Zucchini | Mar 13 | Apr 10–Apr 17 | 196 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 10 and again by Aug 15; both mature before Oct 23. | Aug 15 |
| Onion | Jan 2 | Feb 27–Mar 13 | 259 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 259 available after Feb 27. | — |
| Spinach | — | Jan 30–Mar 20 | 301 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 30 and again by Oct 4; both mature before Nov 27. | Oct 4 |
| Kale | Jan 16 | Feb 27–Mar 13 | 273 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 27 and again by Sep 19; both mature before Nov 27. | Sep 19 |
| Broccoli | Jan 30 | Feb 27–Mar 13 | 259 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 259 available after Feb 27. | Aug 11 |
| Cabbage | Jan 30 | Feb 27–Mar 13 | 273 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 273 available after Feb 27. | Sep 4 |
| Radish | — | Jan 30–Apr 24 | 287 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 30 and again by Oct 5; both mature before Nov 13. | Oct 5 |
| Beets | — | Jan 30–Apr 24 | 287 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 30 and again by Sep 5; both mature before Nov 13. | Sep 5 |
| Potatoes | — | Mar 13–Mar 20 | 245 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 245 available after Mar 13. | — |
| Garlic | — | Nov 6 | 329 | overwinter: Plant Nov 6 to Nov 27; harvest the following summer. | Nov 27 |
| Strawberry | — | Feb 20–Apr 17 | 280 | perennial: A perennial: plant Feb 20; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Feb 27 | Apr 3–Apr 10 | 196 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 196 available after Apr 3. | Jul 19 |
| Pumpkin | Mar 13 | Apr 10–Apr 10 | 189 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 189 available after Apr 10. | Jun 24 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 13 | Mar 20–Apr 3 | 238 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 238 available after Mar 20. | Aug 16 |
| Swiss Chard | Jan 30 | Mar 13–Mar 13 | 245 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 13 and again by Sep 5; both mature before Nov 13. | Sep 5 |
| Arugula | — | Jan 30–Apr 24 | 301 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 30 and again by Oct 4; both mature before Nov 27. | Oct 4 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Jan 30 | Feb 27–Mar 13 | 273 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 273 available after Feb 27. | Aug 5 |
| Butternut Squash | Mar 13 | Apr 10–Apr 17 | 189 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 189 available after Apr 10. | Jun 24 |
| Eggplant | Feb 6 | Apr 10–Apr 17 | 182 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 182 available after Apr 10. | Jul 17 |
| Okra | Feb 27 | Apr 3–Apr 10 | 203 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 3 and again by Aug 15; both mature before Oct 23. | Aug 15 |
| Basil | Feb 20 | Apr 17–Apr 17 | 189 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 17 and again by Aug 10; both mature before Oct 23. | Aug 10 |
| Cilantro | — | Feb 27–Mar 20 | 259 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 27 and again by Sep 10; both mature before Nov 13. | Sep 10 |
| Parsley | Jan 16 | Apr 3–Apr 10 | 224 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 224 available after Apr 3. | Aug 21 |
| Celery | Jan 16 | Apr 3–Apr 17 | 224 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 224 available after Apr 3. | Jul 2 |
| Scallions | Jan 16 | Feb 27–Mar 13 | 273 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 27 and again by Sep 14; both mature before Nov 27. | Sep 14 |
| Turnip | — | Feb 27–Mar 13 | 273 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 27 and again by Sep 24; both mature before Nov 27. | Sep 24 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Feb 13–Feb 27 | 287 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 13 and again by Sep 19; both mature before Nov 27. | Sep 19 |
| Bok Choy | Feb 27 | Mar 20–Mar 27 | 238 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 20 and again by Sep 15; both mature before Nov 13. | Sep 15 |
| Collards | Jan 16 | Feb 27–Mar 13 | 273 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 27 and again by Sep 14; both mature before Nov 27. | Sep 14 |
| Cantaloupe | Mar 13 | Apr 10–Apr 17 | 182 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 182 available after Apr 10. | Jul 2 |
| Chives | Jan 2 | Apr 3–Apr 10 | 238 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 238 available after Apr 3. | — |
| Dill | — | Jan 30–Apr 24 | 287 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 30 and again by Sep 5; both mature before Nov 13. | Sep 5 |
| Oregano | Jan 16 | Apr 3–Apr 10 | 238 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 238 available after Apr 3. | — |
| Rosemary | Jan 2 | Apr 3–Apr 10 | 224 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 224 available after Apr 3. | — |
| Sage | Jan 30 | Apr 3–Apr 10 | 238 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 238 available after Apr 3. | — |
| Thyme | Jan 16 | Apr 3–Apr 10 | 238 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 238 available after Apr 3. | — |
| Calendula | Feb 13 | Mar 13–Mar 27 | 245 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 13 and again by Sep 10; both mature before Nov 13. | Sep 10 |
| Cosmos | Feb 27 | Mar 27–Apr 10 | 210 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 27 and again by Aug 10; both mature before Oct 23. | Aug 10 |
| Lavender | Jan 2 | Mar 27–Apr 10 | 245 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 245 available after Mar 27. | — |
| Marigolds | Feb 13 | Mar 27–Apr 3 | 210 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 27 and again by Aug 20; both mature before Oct 23. | Aug 20 |
| Melons | Mar 13 | Apr 10–Apr 17 | 182 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 182 available after Apr 10. | Jul 2 |
| Mint | — | Mar 27–Apr 10 | 245 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 245 available after Mar 27. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Feb 27 | Mar 27–Apr 3 | 210 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 27 and again by Aug 15; both mature before Oct 23. | Aug 15 |
| Pole Beans | — | Apr 3–Apr 17 | 203 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 203 available after Apr 3. | Aug 5 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Mar 13 | Apr 10–Apr 17 | 189 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 189 available after Apr 10. | Jul 4 |
| Sunflowers | — | Mar 27–Apr 10 | 210 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 210 available after Mar 27. | Jul 31 |
| Tomatillos | Jan 30 | Apr 3–Apr 10 | 189 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 189 available after Apr 3. | Jul 12 |
| Watermelon | Mar 13 | Apr 3–Apr 10 | 189 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 189 available after Apr 3. | Jul 7 |
| Yellow Squash | Mar 13 | Apr 10–Apr 17 | 196 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 10 and again by Aug 15; both mature before Oct 23. | Aug 15 |
| Zinnias | Feb 27 | Mar 27–Apr 10 | 210 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 27 and again by Aug 10; both mature before Oct 23. | Aug 10 |
Month by month in Memphis
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Start indoors: Chives (Jan 2), Lavender (Jan 2), Onion (Jan 2), Rosemary (Jan 2), Celery (Jan 16), Collards (Jan 16), +12 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Jan 30), Beets (Jan 30), Dill (Jan 30), Peas (Jan 30), Radish (Jan 30), Spinach (Jan 30). |
| February | Start indoors: Eggplant (Feb 6), Calendula (Feb 13), Cauliflower (Feb 13), Marigolds (Feb 13), Pepper (Feb 13), Basil (Feb 20), +7 more. Direct sow from: Kohlrabi (Feb 13), Cilantro (Feb 27), Turnip (Feb 27). Transplant from: Broccoli (Feb 27), Brussel Sprouts (Feb 27), Cabbage (Feb 27), Collards (Feb 27), Kale (Feb 27), Lettuce (Feb 27), +2 more. Plant: Strawberry (Feb 20). |
| March | Start indoors: Cucumber (Mar 6), Butternut Squash (Mar 13), Cantaloupe (Mar 13), Melons (Mar 13), Pumpkin (Mar 13), Spaghetti Squash (Mar 13), +3 more. Direct sow from: Carrots (Mar 6), Potatoes (Mar 13), Sunflowers (Mar 27). Transplant from: Calendula (Mar 13), Swiss Chard (Mar 13), Bok Choy (Mar 20), Cauliflower (Mar 20), Cosmos (Mar 27), Lavender (Mar 27), +4 more. Last frost around March 27. |
| April | Direct sow from: Beans (Apr 3), Pole Beans (Apr 3). Transplant from: Celery (Apr 3), Chives (Apr 3), Corn (Apr 3), Okra (Apr 3), Oregano (Apr 3), Parsley (Apr 3), +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 Memphis, TN (ZIP 38109)?
The median last spring frost date for Memphis, TN (ZIP code 38109) is around March 27. 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 11; one in ten it runs past April 12.
What is the first fall frost date in Memphis, TN?
The median first fall frost date for Memphis, 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 22 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Memphis, TN?
The frost-free growing season in Memphis is about 224 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 Memphis (224 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 Memphis, TN?
Memphis, 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 Memphis, TN?
Start tomatoes indoors Feb 20 and plant out Apr 10 in Memphis. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Memphis?
Two: plant Feb 27 and again by Sep 15; both mature before Nov 13.
When do I plant garlic in Memphis?
Nov 6 to Nov 27; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Can I get two tomato crops in Memphis?
Yes: plant out Apr 10 for a summer crop, and set out a second round of transplants by Jul 7 for a fall crop.
Nearby and related
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- When to plant in Memphis, TN: month-by-month guide
- When to plant in TN
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- When to plant Cucumbers in TN
- When to plant Zucchini in TN
- When to plant Butternut Squash in TN
- When to plant Basil in TN
- When to plant Sweet Corn in TN
- Look up another ZIP