Frost Dates for Memphis, TN 38125
Last spring frost March 28 · First fall frost November 4 · 221 frost-free days · USDA Zone 8a
ZIP 38125 has about 43,100 people, one of 29 ZIP codes in Memphis.
Long season: 221 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans March 13–April 12 (30 days). Fall frost risk spans October 22–November 17 (26 days).
Frost probability for 38125
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | April 12 | March 28 | March 13 |
| Fall (first frost) | October 22 | November 4 | November 17 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at HERNANDO (31.8 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 221-day season in Memphis
In Memphis (221 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 21 | Apr 11–Apr 18 | 179 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 179 available after Apr 11. | Jul 5 |
| Pepper | Feb 14 | Apr 11–Apr 18 | 179 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 179 available after Apr 11. | Jul 10 |
| Lettuce | Jan 31 | Feb 28–Mar 7 | 256 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 28 and again by Sep 13; both mature before Nov 11. | Sep 13 |
| Carrots | — | Mar 7–Mar 14 | 263 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 263 available after Mar 7. | Sep 2 |
| Cucumber | Mar 7 | Apr 11–Apr 18 | 193 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 11 and again by Aug 8; both mature before Oct 21. | Aug 8 |
| Beans | — | Apr 4–Apr 18 | 207 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 4 and again by Aug 15; both mature before Oct 28. | Aug 15 |
| Peas | — | Jan 31–Apr 11 | 284 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 284 available after Jan 31. | Aug 24 |
| Zucchini | Mar 14 | Apr 11–Apr 18 | 193 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 11 and again by Aug 13; both mature before Oct 21. | Aug 13 |
| Onion | Jan 3 | Feb 28–Mar 14 | 256 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 256 available after Feb 28. | — |
| Spinach | — | Jan 31–Mar 21 | 298 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 31 and again by Oct 2; both mature before Nov 25. | Oct 2 |
| Kale | Jan 17 | Feb 28–Mar 14 | 270 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 28 and again by Sep 17; both mature before Nov 25. | Sep 17 |
| Broccoli | Jan 31 | Feb 28–Mar 14 | 256 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 256 available after Feb 28. | Aug 9 |
| Cabbage | Jan 31 | Feb 28–Mar 14 | 270 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 270 available after Feb 28. | Sep 2 |
| Radish | — | Jan 31–Apr 25 | 284 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 31 and again by Oct 3; both mature before Nov 11. | Oct 3 |
| Beets | — | Jan 31–Apr 25 | 284 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 31 and again by Sep 3; both mature before Nov 11. | Sep 3 |
| Potatoes | — | Mar 14–Mar 21 | 242 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 242 available after Mar 14. | — |
| Garlic | — | Nov 4 | 326 | overwinter: Plant Nov 4 to Nov 25; harvest the following summer. | Nov 25 |
| Strawberry | — | Feb 21–Apr 18 | 277 | perennial: A perennial: plant Feb 21; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Feb 28 | Apr 4–Apr 11 | 193 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 193 available after Apr 4. | Jul 17 |
| Pumpkin | Mar 14 | Apr 11–Apr 11 | 186 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 186 available after Apr 11. | Jun 22 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 14 | Mar 21–Apr 4 | 235 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 235 available after Mar 21. | Aug 14 |
| Swiss Chard | Jan 31 | Mar 14–Mar 14 | 242 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 14 and again by Sep 3; both mature before Nov 11. | Sep 3 |
| Arugula | — | Jan 31–Apr 25 | 298 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 31 and again by Oct 2; both mature before Nov 25. | Oct 2 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Jan 31 | Feb 28–Mar 14 | 270 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 270 available after Feb 28. | Aug 3 |
| Butternut Squash | Mar 14 | Apr 11–Apr 18 | 186 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 186 available after Apr 11. | Jun 22 |
| Eggplant | Feb 7 | Apr 11–Apr 18 | 179 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 179 available after Apr 11. | Jul 15 |
| Okra | Feb 28 | Apr 4–Apr 11 | 200 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 4 and again by Aug 13; both mature before Oct 21. | Aug 13 |
| Basil | Feb 21 | Apr 18–Apr 18 | 186 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 18 and again by Aug 8; both mature before Oct 21. | Aug 8 |
| Cilantro | — | Feb 28–Mar 21 | 256 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 28 and again by Sep 8; both mature before Nov 11. | Sep 8 |
| Parsley | Jan 17 | Apr 4–Apr 11 | 221 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 221 available after Apr 4. | Aug 19 |
| Celery | Jan 17 | Apr 4–Apr 18 | 221 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 221 available after Apr 4. | Jun 30 |
| Scallions | Jan 17 | Feb 28–Mar 14 | 270 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 28 and again by Sep 12; both mature before Nov 25. | Sep 12 |
| Turnip | — | Feb 28–Mar 14 | 270 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 28 and again by Sep 22; both mature before Nov 25. | Sep 22 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Feb 14–Feb 28 | 284 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 14 and again by Sep 17; both mature before Nov 25. | Sep 17 |
| Bok Choy | Feb 28 | Mar 21–Mar 28 | 235 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 21 and again by Sep 13; both mature before Nov 11. | Sep 13 |
| Collards | Jan 17 | Feb 28–Mar 14 | 270 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 28 and again by Sep 12; both mature before Nov 25. | Sep 12 |
| Cantaloupe | Mar 14 | Apr 11–Apr 18 | 179 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 179 available after Apr 11. | Jun 30 |
| Chives | Jan 3 | Apr 4–Apr 11 | 235 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 235 available after Apr 4. | — |
| Dill | — | Jan 31–Apr 25 | 284 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 31 and again by Sep 3; both mature before Nov 11. | Sep 3 |
| Oregano | Jan 17 | Apr 4–Apr 11 | 235 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 235 available after Apr 4. | — |
| Rosemary | Jan 3 | Apr 4–Apr 11 | 221 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 221 available after Apr 4. | — |
| Sage | Jan 31 | Apr 4–Apr 11 | 235 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 235 available after Apr 4. | — |
| Thyme | Jan 17 | Apr 4–Apr 11 | 235 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 235 available after Apr 4. | — |
| Calendula | Feb 14 | Mar 14–Mar 28 | 242 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 14 and again by Sep 8; both mature before Nov 11. | Sep 8 |
| Cosmos | Feb 28 | Mar 28–Apr 11 | 207 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 28 and again by Aug 8; both mature before Oct 21. | Aug 8 |
| Lavender | Jan 3 | Mar 28–Apr 11 | 242 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 242 available after Mar 28. | — |
| Marigolds | Feb 14 | Mar 28–Apr 4 | 207 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 28 and again by Aug 18; both mature before Oct 21. | Aug 18 |
| Melons | Mar 14 | Apr 11–Apr 18 | 179 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 179 available after Apr 11. | Jun 30 |
| Mint | — | Mar 28–Apr 11 | 242 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 242 available after Mar 28. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Feb 28 | Mar 28–Apr 4 | 207 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 28 and again by Aug 13; both mature before Oct 21. | Aug 13 |
| Pole Beans | — | Apr 4–Apr 18 | 200 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 200 available after Apr 4. | Aug 3 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Mar 14 | Apr 11–Apr 18 | 186 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 186 available after Apr 11. | Jul 2 |
| Sunflowers | — | Mar 28–Apr 11 | 207 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 207 available after Mar 28. | Jul 29 |
| Tomatillos | Jan 31 | Apr 4–Apr 11 | 186 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 186 available after Apr 4. | Jul 10 |
| Watermelon | Mar 14 | Apr 4–Apr 11 | 186 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 186 available after Apr 4. | Jul 5 |
| Yellow Squash | Mar 14 | Apr 11–Apr 18 | 193 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 11 and again by Aug 13; both mature before Oct 21. | Aug 13 |
| Zinnias | Feb 28 | Mar 28–Apr 11 | 207 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 28 and again by Aug 8; both mature before Oct 21. | Aug 8 |
Month by month in Memphis
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Start indoors: Chives (Jan 3), Lavender (Jan 3), Onion (Jan 3), Rosemary (Jan 3), Celery (Jan 17), Collards (Jan 17), +12 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Jan 31), Beets (Jan 31), Dill (Jan 31), Peas (Jan 31), Radish (Jan 31), Spinach (Jan 31). |
| February | Start indoors: Eggplant (Feb 7), Calendula (Feb 14), Cauliflower (Feb 14), Marigolds (Feb 14), Pepper (Feb 14), Basil (Feb 21), +7 more. Direct sow from: Kohlrabi (Feb 14), Cilantro (Feb 28), Turnip (Feb 28). Transplant from: Broccoli (Feb 28), Brussel Sprouts (Feb 28), Cabbage (Feb 28), Collards (Feb 28), Kale (Feb 28), Lettuce (Feb 28), +2 more. Plant: Strawberry (Feb 21). |
| March | Start indoors: Cucumber (Mar 7), Butternut Squash (Mar 14), Cantaloupe (Mar 14), Melons (Mar 14), Pumpkin (Mar 14), Spaghetti Squash (Mar 14), +3 more. Direct sow from: Carrots (Mar 7), Potatoes (Mar 14), Sunflowers (Mar 28). Transplant from: Calendula (Mar 14), Swiss Chard (Mar 14), Bok Choy (Mar 21), Cauliflower (Mar 21), Cosmos (Mar 28), Lavender (Mar 28), +4 more. Last frost around March 28. |
| April | Direct sow from: Beans (Apr 4), Pole Beans (Apr 4). Transplant from: Celery (Apr 4), Chives (Apr 4), Corn (Apr 4), Okra (Apr 4), Oregano (Apr 4), Parsley (Apr 4), +17 more. |
| May | Succession plant lettuce and greens. Keep beds weeded and watered consistently. |
| June | Last sowing dates: Butternut Squash (Jun 22), Pumpkin (Jun 22), Cantaloupe (Jun 30), Celery (Jun 30), Melons (Jun 30). |
| July | Last sowing dates: Spaghetti Squash (Jul 2), Tomato (Jul 5), Watermelon (Jul 5), Pepper (Jul 10), Tomatillos (Jul 10), Eggplant (Jul 15), +2 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Brussel Sprouts (Aug 3), Pole Beans (Aug 3), Basil (Aug 8), Cosmos (Aug 8), Cucumber (Aug 8), Zinnias (Aug 8), +10 more. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Cabbage (Sep 2), Carrots (Sep 2), Beets (Sep 3), Dill (Sep 3), Swiss Chard (Sep 3), Calendula (Sep 8), +8 more. |
| October | Last sowing dates: Arugula (Oct 2), Spinach (Oct 2), Radish (Oct 3). |
| November | Direct sow from: Garlic (Nov 4). First frost around November 4. Last sowing dates: Garlic (Nov 25). |
| 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 38125)?
The median last spring frost date for Memphis, TN (ZIP code 38125) is around March 28. 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 13; 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 4. 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 221 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 (221 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 21 and plant out Apr 11 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 28 and again by Sep 13; both mature before Nov 11.
When do I plant garlic in Memphis?
Nov 4 to Nov 25; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Can I get two tomato crops in Memphis?
Yes: plant out Apr 11 for a summer crop, and set out a second round of transplants by Jul 5 for a fall crop.
Nearby and related
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- When to plant in Memphis, TN: month-by-month guide
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