Frost Dates for Nashville, TN 37214
Last spring frost April 15 · First fall frost October 18 · 186 frost-free days · USDA Zone 7b
ZIP 37214 has about 29,800 people, one of 23 ZIP codes in Nashville.
Long season: 186 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans March 30–April 30 (31 days). Fall frost risk spans October 3–November 2 (30 days).
Frost probability for 37214
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | April 30 | April 15 | March 30 |
| Fall (first frost) | October 3 | October 18 | November 2 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at FRANKLIN SEWAGE PLT (31.2 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 186-day season in Nashville
In Nashville (186 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 11 | Apr 29–May 6 | 144 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 144 available after Apr 29. | Jun 18 |
| Pepper | Mar 4 | Apr 29–May 6 | 144 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 144 available after Apr 29. | Jun 23 |
| Lettuce | Feb 18 | Mar 18–Mar 25 | 221 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 18 and again by Aug 27; both mature before Oct 25. | Aug 27 |
| Carrots | — | Mar 25–Apr 1 | 228 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 228 available after Mar 25. | Aug 16 |
| Cucumber | Mar 25 | Apr 29–May 6 | 158 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 29 and again by Jul 22; both mature before Oct 4. | Jul 22 |
| Beans | — | Apr 22–May 6 | 172 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 22 and again by Jul 29; both mature before Oct 11. | Jul 29 |
| Peas | — | Feb 18–Apr 29 | 249 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 249 available after Feb 18. | Aug 7 |
| Zucchini | Apr 1 | Apr 29–May 6 | 158 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 29 and again by Jul 27; both mature before Oct 4. | Jul 27 |
| Onion | Jan 21 | Mar 18–Apr 1 | 221 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 221 available after Mar 18. | — |
| Spinach | — | Feb 18–Apr 8 | 263 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 18 and again by Sep 15; both mature before Nov 8. | Sep 15 |
| Kale | Feb 4 | Mar 18–Apr 1 | 235 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 18 and again by Aug 31; both mature before Nov 8. | Aug 31 |
| Broccoli | Feb 18 | Mar 18–Apr 1 | 221 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 221 available after Mar 18. | Jul 23 |
| Cabbage | Feb 18 | Mar 18–Apr 1 | 235 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 235 available after Mar 18. | Aug 16 |
| Radish | — | Feb 18–May 13 | 249 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 18 and again by Sep 16; both mature before Oct 25. | Sep 16 |
| Beets | — | Feb 18–May 13 | 249 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 18 and again by Aug 17; both mature before Oct 25. | Aug 17 |
| Potatoes | — | Apr 1–Apr 8 | 207 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 207 available after Apr 1. | — |
| Garlic | — | Oct 18 | 291 | overwinter: Plant Oct 18 to Nov 8; harvest the following summer. | Nov 8 |
| Strawberry | — | Mar 11–May 6 | 242 | perennial: A perennial: plant Mar 11; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Mar 18 | Apr 22–Apr 29 | 158 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 158 available after Apr 22. | Jun 30 |
| Pumpkin | Apr 1 | Apr 29–Apr 29 | 151 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 151 available after Apr 29. | Jun 5 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 4 | Apr 8–Apr 22 | 200 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 200 available after Apr 8. | Jul 28 |
| Swiss Chard | Feb 18 | Apr 1–Apr 1 | 207 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 1 and again by Aug 17; both mature before Oct 25. | Aug 17 |
| Arugula | — | Feb 18–May 13 | 263 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 18 and again by Sep 15; both mature before Nov 8. | Sep 15 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Feb 18 | Mar 18–Apr 1 | 235 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 235 available after Mar 18. | Jul 17 |
| Butternut Squash | Apr 1 | Apr 29–May 6 | 151 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 151 available after Apr 29. | Jun 5 |
| Eggplant | Feb 25 | Apr 29–May 6 | 144 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 144 available after Apr 29. | Jun 28 |
| Okra | Mar 18 | Apr 22–Apr 29 | 165 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 22 and again by Jul 27; both mature before Oct 4. | Jul 27 |
| Basil | Mar 11 | May 6–May 6 | 151 | two-plantings: Plant May 6 and again by Jul 22; both mature before Oct 4. | Jul 22 |
| Cilantro | — | Mar 18–Apr 8 | 221 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 18 and again by Aug 22; both mature before Oct 25. | Aug 22 |
| Parsley | Feb 4 | Apr 22–Apr 29 | 186 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 186 available after Apr 22. | Aug 2 |
| Celery | Feb 4 | Apr 22–May 6 | 186 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 186 available after Apr 22. | Jun 13 |
| Scallions | Feb 4 | Mar 18–Apr 1 | 235 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 18 and again by Aug 26; both mature before Nov 8. | Aug 26 |
| Turnip | — | Mar 18–Apr 1 | 235 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 18 and again by Sep 5; both mature before Nov 8. | Sep 5 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Mar 4–Mar 18 | 249 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 4 and again by Aug 31; both mature before Nov 8. | Aug 31 |
| Bok Choy | Mar 18 | Apr 8–Apr 15 | 200 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 8 and again by Aug 27; both mature before Oct 25. | Aug 27 |
| Collards | Feb 4 | Mar 18–Apr 1 | 235 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 18 and again by Aug 26; both mature before Nov 8. | Aug 26 |
| Cantaloupe | Apr 1 | Apr 29–May 6 | 144 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 144 available after Apr 29. | Jun 13 |
| Chives | Jan 21 | Apr 22–Apr 29 | 200 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 200 available after Apr 22. | — |
| Dill | — | Feb 18–May 13 | 249 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 18 and again by Aug 17; both mature before Oct 25. | Aug 17 |
| Oregano | Feb 4 | Apr 22–Apr 29 | 200 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 200 available after Apr 22. | — |
| Rosemary | Jan 21 | Apr 22–Apr 29 | 186 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 186 available after Apr 22. | — |
| Sage | Feb 18 | Apr 22–Apr 29 | 200 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 200 available after Apr 22. | — |
| Thyme | Feb 4 | Apr 22–Apr 29 | 200 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 200 available after Apr 22. | — |
| Calendula | Mar 4 | Apr 1–Apr 15 | 207 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 1 and again by Aug 22; both mature before Oct 25. | Aug 22 |
| Cosmos | Mar 18 | Apr 15–Apr 29 | 172 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 15 and again by Jul 22; both mature before Oct 4. | Jul 22 |
| Lavender | Jan 21 | Apr 15–Apr 29 | 207 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 207 available after Apr 15. | — |
| Marigolds | Mar 4 | Apr 15–Apr 22 | 172 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 15 and again by Aug 1; both mature before Oct 4. | Aug 1 |
| Melons | Apr 1 | Apr 29–May 6 | 144 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 144 available after Apr 29. | Jun 13 |
| Mint | — | Apr 15–Apr 29 | 207 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 207 available after Apr 15. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Mar 18 | Apr 15–Apr 22 | 172 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 15 and again by Jul 27; both mature before Oct 4. | Jul 27 |
| Pole Beans | — | Apr 22–May 6 | 165 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 165 available after Apr 22. | Jul 17 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Apr 1 | Apr 29–May 6 | 151 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 151 available after Apr 29. | Jun 15 |
| Sunflowers | — | Apr 15–Apr 29 | 172 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 172 available after Apr 15. | Jul 12 |
| Tomatillos | Feb 18 | Apr 22–Apr 29 | 151 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 151 available after Apr 22. | Jun 23 |
| Watermelon | Apr 1 | Apr 22–Apr 29 | 151 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 151 available after Apr 22. | Jun 18 |
| Yellow Squash | Apr 1 | Apr 29–May 6 | 158 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 29 and again by Jul 27; both mature before Oct 4. | Jul 27 |
| Zinnias | Mar 18 | Apr 15–Apr 29 | 172 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 15 and again by Jul 22; both mature before Oct 4. | Jul 22 |
Month by month in Nashville
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Start indoors: Chives (Jan 21), Lavender (Jan 21), Onion (Jan 21), Rosemary (Jan 21). |
| February | Start indoors: Celery (Feb 4), Collards (Feb 4), Kale (Feb 4), Oregano (Feb 4), Parsley (Feb 4), Scallions (Feb 4), +9 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Feb 18), Beets (Feb 18), Dill (Feb 18), Peas (Feb 18), Radish (Feb 18), Spinach (Feb 18). |
| March | Start indoors: Calendula (Mar 4), Cauliflower (Mar 4), Marigolds (Mar 4), Pepper (Mar 4), Basil (Mar 11), Tomato (Mar 11), +7 more. Direct sow from: Kohlrabi (Mar 4), Cilantro (Mar 18), Turnip (Mar 18), Carrots (Mar 25). Transplant from: Broccoli (Mar 18), Brussel Sprouts (Mar 18), Cabbage (Mar 18), Collards (Mar 18), Kale (Mar 18), Lettuce (Mar 18), +2 more. Plant: Strawberry (Mar 11). |
| April | Start indoors: Butternut Squash (Apr 1), Cantaloupe (Apr 1), Melons (Apr 1), Pumpkin (Apr 1), Spaghetti Squash (Apr 1), Watermelon (Apr 1), +2 more. Direct sow from: Potatoes (Apr 1), Sunflowers (Apr 15), Beans (Apr 22), Pole Beans (Apr 22). Transplant from: Calendula (Apr 1), Swiss Chard (Apr 1), Bok Choy (Apr 8), Cauliflower (Apr 8), Cosmos (Apr 15), Lavender (Apr 15), +26 more. Last frost around April 15. |
| May | Transplant from: Basil (May 6). |
| June | Last sowing dates: Butternut Squash (Jun 5), Pumpkin (Jun 5), Cantaloupe (Jun 13), Celery (Jun 13), Melons (Jun 13), Spaghetti Squash (Jun 15), +6 more. |
| July | Last sowing dates: Sunflowers (Jul 12), Brussel Sprouts (Jul 17), Pole Beans (Jul 17), Basil (Jul 22), Cosmos (Jul 22), Cucumber (Jul 22), +8 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Marigolds (Aug 1), Parsley (Aug 2), Peas (Aug 7), Cabbage (Aug 16), Carrots (Aug 16), Beets (Aug 17), +10 more. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Turnip (Sep 5), Arugula (Sep 15), Spinach (Sep 15), Radish (Sep 16). |
| October | Direct sow from: Garlic (Oct 18). First frost around October 18. |
| November | Last sowing dates: Garlic (Nov 8). |
| 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 Nashville, TN (ZIP 37214)?
The median last spring frost date for Nashville, TN (ZIP code 37214) is around April 15. 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 30; one in ten it runs past April 30.
What is the first fall frost date in Nashville, TN?
The median first fall frost date for Nashville, TN is around October 18. 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 3 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Nashville, TN?
The frost-free growing season in Nashville is about 186 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 Nashville (186 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 Nashville, TN?
Nashville, 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 Nashville, TN?
Start tomatoes indoors Mar 11 and plant out Apr 29 in Nashville. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Nashville?
Two: plant Mar 18 and again by Aug 27; both mature before Oct 25.
When do I plant garlic in Nashville?
Oct 18 to Nov 8; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Can I get two tomato crops in Nashville?
Yes: plant out Apr 29 for a summer crop, and set out a second round of transplants by Jun 18 for a fall crop.
Nearby and related
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