Frost Dates for Nashville, TN 37217
Last spring frost April 13 · First fall frost October 22 · 192 frost-free days · USDA Zone 7b
ZIP 37217 has about 31,900 people, one of 23 ZIP codes in Nashville.
Long season: 192 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans March 30–April 24 (25 days). Fall frost risk spans October 5–November 9 (35 days).
Frost probability for 37217
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | April 24 | April 13 | March 30 |
| Fall (first frost) | October 5 | October 22 | November 9 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at MURFREESBORO 5 N (33.4 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 192-day season in Nashville
In Nashville (192 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 | 150 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 150 available after Apr 27. | Jun 22 |
| Pepper | Mar 2 | Apr 27–May 4 | 150 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 150 available after Apr 27. | Jun 27 |
| Lettuce | Feb 16 | Mar 16–Mar 23 | 227 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 16 and again by Aug 31; both mature before Oct 29. | Aug 31 |
| Carrots | — | Mar 23–Mar 30 | 234 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 234 available after Mar 23. | Aug 20 |
| Cucumber | Mar 23 | Apr 27–May 4 | 164 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 27 and again by Jul 26; both mature before Oct 8. | Jul 26 |
| Beans | — | Apr 20–May 4 | 178 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 20 and again by Aug 2; both mature before Oct 15. | Aug 2 |
| Peas | — | Feb 16–Apr 27 | 255 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 255 available after Feb 16. | Aug 11 |
| Zucchini | Mar 30 | Apr 27–May 4 | 164 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 27 and again by Jul 31; both mature before Oct 8. | Jul 31 |
| Onion | Jan 19 | Mar 16–Mar 30 | 227 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 227 available after Mar 16. | — |
| Spinach | — | Feb 16–Apr 6 | 269 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 16 and again by Sep 19; both mature before Nov 12. | Sep 19 |
| Kale | Feb 2 | Mar 16–Mar 30 | 241 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 16 and again by Sep 4; both mature before Nov 12. | Sep 4 |
| Broccoli | Feb 16 | Mar 16–Mar 30 | 227 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 227 available after Mar 16. | Jul 27 |
| Cabbage | Feb 16 | Mar 16–Mar 30 | 241 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 241 available after Mar 16. | Aug 20 |
| Radish | — | Feb 16–May 11 | 255 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 16 and again by Sep 20; both mature before Oct 29. | Sep 20 |
| Beets | — | Feb 16–May 11 | 255 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 16 and again by Aug 21; both mature before Oct 29. | Aug 21 |
| Potatoes | — | Mar 30–Apr 6 | 213 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 213 available after Mar 30. | — |
| Garlic | — | Oct 22 | 297 | overwinter: Plant Oct 22 to Nov 12; harvest the following summer. | Nov 12 |
| Strawberry | — | Mar 9–May 4 | 248 | 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 | 164 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 164 available after Apr 20. | Jul 4 |
| Pumpkin | Mar 30 | Apr 27–Apr 27 | 157 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 157 available after Apr 27. | Jun 9 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 2 | Apr 6–Apr 20 | 206 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 206 available after Apr 6. | Aug 1 |
| Swiss Chard | Feb 16 | Mar 30–Mar 30 | 213 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 30 and again by Aug 21; both mature before Oct 29. | Aug 21 |
| Arugula | — | Feb 16–May 11 | 269 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 16 and again by Sep 19; both mature before Nov 12. | Sep 19 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Feb 16 | Mar 16–Mar 30 | 241 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 241 available after Mar 16. | Jul 21 |
| Butternut Squash | Mar 30 | Apr 27–May 4 | 157 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 157 available after Apr 27. | Jun 9 |
| Eggplant | Feb 23 | Apr 27–May 4 | 150 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 150 available after Apr 27. | Jul 2 |
| Okra | Mar 16 | Apr 20–Apr 27 | 171 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 20 and again by Jul 31; both mature before Oct 8. | Jul 31 |
| Basil | Mar 9 | May 4–May 4 | 157 | two-plantings: Plant May 4 and again by Jul 26; both mature before Oct 8. | Jul 26 |
| Cilantro | — | Mar 16–Apr 6 | 227 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 16 and again by Aug 26; both mature before Oct 29. | Aug 26 |
| Parsley | Feb 2 | Apr 20–Apr 27 | 192 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 192 available after Apr 20. | Aug 6 |
| Celery | Feb 2 | Apr 20–May 4 | 192 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 192 available after Apr 20. | Jun 17 |
| Scallions | Feb 2 | Mar 16–Mar 30 | 241 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 16 and again by Aug 30; both mature before Nov 12. | Aug 30 |
| Turnip | — | Mar 16–Mar 30 | 241 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 16 and again by Sep 9; both mature before Nov 12. | Sep 9 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Mar 2–Mar 16 | 255 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 2 and again by Sep 4; both mature before Nov 12. | Sep 4 |
| Bok Choy | Mar 16 | Apr 6–Apr 13 | 206 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 6 and again by Aug 31; both mature before Oct 29. | Aug 31 |
| Collards | Feb 2 | Mar 16–Mar 30 | 241 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 16 and again by Aug 30; both mature before Nov 12. | Aug 30 |
| Cantaloupe | Mar 30 | Apr 27–May 4 | 150 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 150 available after Apr 27. | Jun 17 |
| Chives | Jan 19 | Apr 20–Apr 27 | 206 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 206 available after Apr 20. | — |
| Dill | — | Feb 16–May 11 | 255 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 16 and again by Aug 21; both mature before Oct 29. | Aug 21 |
| Oregano | Feb 2 | Apr 20–Apr 27 | 206 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 206 available after Apr 20. | — |
| Rosemary | Jan 19 | Apr 20–Apr 27 | 192 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 192 available after Apr 20. | — |
| Sage | Feb 16 | Apr 20–Apr 27 | 206 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 206 available after Apr 20. | — |
| Thyme | Feb 2 | Apr 20–Apr 27 | 206 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 206 available after Apr 20. | — |
| Calendula | Mar 2 | Mar 30–Apr 13 | 213 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 30 and again by Aug 26; both mature before Oct 29. | Aug 26 |
| Cosmos | Mar 16 | Apr 13–Apr 27 | 178 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 13 and again by Jul 26; both mature before Oct 8. | Jul 26 |
| Lavender | Jan 19 | Apr 13–Apr 27 | 213 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 213 available after Apr 13. | — |
| Marigolds | Mar 2 | Apr 13–Apr 20 | 178 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 13 and again by Aug 5; both mature before Oct 8. | Aug 5 |
| Melons | Mar 30 | Apr 27–May 4 | 150 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 150 available after Apr 27. | Jun 17 |
| Mint | — | Apr 13–Apr 27 | 213 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 213 available after Apr 13. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Mar 16 | Apr 13–Apr 20 | 178 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 13 and again by Jul 31; both mature before Oct 8. | Jul 31 |
| Pole Beans | — | Apr 20–May 4 | 171 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 171 available after Apr 20. | Jul 21 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Mar 30 | Apr 27–May 4 | 157 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 157 available after Apr 27. | Jun 19 |
| Sunflowers | — | Apr 13–Apr 27 | 178 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 178 available after Apr 13. | Jul 16 |
| Tomatillos | Feb 16 | Apr 20–Apr 27 | 157 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 157 available after Apr 20. | Jun 27 |
| Watermelon | Mar 30 | Apr 20–Apr 27 | 157 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 157 available after Apr 20. | Jun 22 |
| Yellow Squash | Mar 30 | Apr 27–May 4 | 164 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 27 and again by Jul 31; both mature before Oct 8. | Jul 31 |
| Zinnias | Mar 16 | Apr 13–Apr 27 | 178 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 13 and again by Jul 26; both mature before Oct 8. | Jul 26 |
Month by month in Nashville
| 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 9), Pumpkin (Jun 9), Cantaloupe (Jun 17), Celery (Jun 17), Melons (Jun 17), Spaghetti Squash (Jun 19), +4 more. |
| July | Last sowing dates: Eggplant (Jul 2), Corn (Jul 4), Sunflowers (Jul 16), Brussel Sprouts (Jul 21), Pole Beans (Jul 21), Basil (Jul 26), +8 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Cauliflower (Aug 1), Beans (Aug 2), Marigolds (Aug 5), Parsley (Aug 6), Peas (Aug 11), Cabbage (Aug 20), +10 more. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Kale (Sep 4), Kohlrabi (Sep 4), Turnip (Sep 9), Arugula (Sep 19), Spinach (Sep 19), Radish (Sep 20). |
| October | Direct sow from: Garlic (Oct 22). First frost around October 22. |
| November | Last sowing dates: Garlic (Nov 12). |
| 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 37217)?
The median last spring frost date for Nashville, TN (ZIP code 37217) 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 30; one in ten it runs past April 24.
What is the first fall frost date in Nashville, TN?
The median first fall frost date for Nashville, TN is around October 22. 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 5 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 192 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 (192 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 9 and plant out Apr 27 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 16 and again by Aug 31; both mature before Oct 29.
When do I plant garlic in Nashville?
Oct 22 to Nov 12; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Can I get two tomato crops in Nashville?
Yes: plant out Apr 27 for a summer crop, and set out a second round of transplants by Jun 22 for a fall crop.
Nearby and related
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