Frost Dates for Oak Ridge, TN 37830
Last spring frost April 10 · First fall frost October 27 · 200 frost-free days · USDA Zone 7b
ZIP 37830 has about 33,000 people.
Long season: 200 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans March 25–April 25 (31 days). Fall frost risk spans October 12–November 12 (31 days).
Frost probability for 37830
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | April 25 | April 10 | March 25 |
| Fall (first frost) | October 12 | October 27 | November 12 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at LENOIR CITY (19.8 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 200-day season in Oak Ridge
In Oak Ridge (200 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 6 | Apr 24–May 1 | 158 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 158 available after Apr 24. | Jun 27 |
| Pepper | Feb 27 | Apr 24–May 1 | 158 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 158 available after Apr 24. | Jul 2 |
| Lettuce | Feb 13 | Mar 13–Mar 20 | 235 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 13 and again by Sep 5; both mature before Nov 3. | Sep 5 |
| Carrots | — | Mar 20–Mar 27 | 242 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 242 available after Mar 20. | Aug 25 |
| Cucumber | Mar 20 | Apr 24–May 1 | 172 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 24 and again by Jul 31; both mature before Oct 13. | Jul 31 |
| Beans | — | Apr 17–May 1 | 186 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 17 and again by Aug 7; both mature before Oct 20. | Aug 7 |
| Peas | — | Feb 13–Apr 24 | 263 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 263 available after Feb 13. | Aug 16 |
| Zucchini | Mar 27 | Apr 24–May 1 | 172 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 24 and again by Aug 5; both mature before Oct 13. | Aug 5 |
| Onion | Jan 16 | Mar 13–Mar 27 | 235 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 235 available after Mar 13. | — |
| Spinach | — | Feb 13–Apr 3 | 277 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 13 and again by Sep 24; both mature before Nov 17. | Sep 24 |
| Kale | Jan 30 | Mar 13–Mar 27 | 249 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 13 and again by Sep 9; both mature before Nov 17. | Sep 9 |
| Broccoli | Feb 13 | Mar 13–Mar 27 | 235 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 235 available after Mar 13. | Aug 1 |
| Cabbage | Feb 13 | Mar 13–Mar 27 | 249 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 249 available after Mar 13. | Aug 25 |
| Radish | — | Feb 13–May 8 | 263 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 13 and again by Sep 25; both mature before Nov 3. | Sep 25 |
| Beets | — | Feb 13–May 8 | 263 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 13 and again by Aug 26; both mature before Nov 3. | Aug 26 |
| Potatoes | — | Mar 27–Apr 3 | 221 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 221 available after Mar 27. | — |
| Garlic | — | Oct 27 | 305 | overwinter: Plant Oct 27 to Nov 17; harvest the following summer. | Nov 17 |
| Strawberry | — | Mar 6–May 1 | 256 | perennial: A perennial: plant Mar 6; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Mar 13 | Apr 17–Apr 24 | 172 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 172 available after Apr 17. | Jul 9 |
| Pumpkin | Mar 27 | Apr 24–Apr 24 | 165 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 165 available after Apr 24. | Jun 14 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 27 | Apr 3–Apr 17 | 214 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 214 available after Apr 3. | Aug 6 |
| Swiss Chard | Feb 13 | Mar 27–Mar 27 | 221 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 27 and again by Aug 26; both mature before Nov 3. | Aug 26 |
| Arugula | — | Feb 13–May 8 | 277 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 13 and again by Sep 24; both mature before Nov 17. | Sep 24 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Feb 13 | Mar 13–Mar 27 | 249 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 249 available after Mar 13. | Jul 26 |
| Butternut Squash | Mar 27 | Apr 24–May 1 | 165 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 165 available after Apr 24. | Jun 14 |
| Eggplant | Feb 20 | Apr 24–May 1 | 158 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 158 available after Apr 24. | Jul 7 |
| Okra | Mar 13 | Apr 17–Apr 24 | 179 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 17 and again by Aug 5; both mature before Oct 13. | Aug 5 |
| Basil | Mar 6 | May 1–May 1 | 165 | two-plantings: Plant May 1 and again by Jul 31; both mature before Oct 13. | Jul 31 |
| Cilantro | — | Mar 13–Apr 3 | 235 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 13 and again by Aug 31; both mature before Nov 3. | Aug 31 |
| Parsley | Jan 30 | Apr 17–Apr 24 | 200 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 200 available after Apr 17. | Aug 11 |
| Celery | Jan 30 | Apr 17–May 1 | 200 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 200 available after Apr 17. | Jun 22 |
| Scallions | Jan 30 | Mar 13–Mar 27 | 249 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 13 and again by Sep 4; both mature before Nov 17. | Sep 4 |
| Turnip | — | Mar 13–Mar 27 | 249 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 13 and again by Sep 14; both mature before Nov 17. | Sep 14 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Feb 27–Mar 13 | 263 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 27 and again by Sep 9; both mature before Nov 17. | Sep 9 |
| Bok Choy | Mar 13 | Apr 3–Apr 10 | 214 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 3 and again by Sep 5; both mature before Nov 3. | Sep 5 |
| Collards | Jan 30 | Mar 13–Mar 27 | 249 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 13 and again by Sep 4; both mature before Nov 17. | Sep 4 |
| Cantaloupe | Mar 27 | Apr 24–May 1 | 158 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 158 available after Apr 24. | Jun 22 |
| Chives | Jan 16 | Apr 17–Apr 24 | 214 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 214 available after Apr 17. | — |
| Dill | — | Feb 13–May 8 | 263 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 13 and again by Aug 26; both mature before Nov 3. | Aug 26 |
| Oregano | Jan 30 | Apr 17–Apr 24 | 214 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 214 available after Apr 17. | — |
| Rosemary | Jan 16 | Apr 17–Apr 24 | 200 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 200 available after Apr 17. | — |
| Sage | Feb 13 | Apr 17–Apr 24 | 214 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 214 available after Apr 17. | — |
| Thyme | Jan 30 | Apr 17–Apr 24 | 214 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 214 available after Apr 17. | — |
| Calendula | Feb 27 | Mar 27–Apr 10 | 221 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 27 and again by Aug 31; both mature before Nov 3. | Aug 31 |
| Cosmos | Mar 13 | Apr 10–Apr 24 | 186 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 10 and again by Jul 31; both mature before Oct 13. | Jul 31 |
| Lavender | Jan 16 | Apr 10–Apr 24 | 221 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 221 available after Apr 10. | — |
| Marigolds | Feb 27 | Apr 10–Apr 17 | 186 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 10 and again by Aug 10; both mature before Oct 13. | Aug 10 |
| Melons | Mar 27 | Apr 24–May 1 | 158 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 158 available after Apr 24. | Jun 22 |
| Mint | — | Apr 10–Apr 24 | 221 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 221 available after Apr 10. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Mar 13 | Apr 10–Apr 17 | 186 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 10 and again by Aug 5; both mature before Oct 13. | Aug 5 |
| Pole Beans | — | Apr 17–May 1 | 179 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 179 available after Apr 17. | Jul 26 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Mar 27 | Apr 24–May 1 | 165 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 165 available after Apr 24. | Jun 24 |
| Sunflowers | — | Apr 10–Apr 24 | 186 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 186 available after Apr 10. | Jul 21 |
| Tomatillos | Feb 13 | Apr 17–Apr 24 | 165 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 165 available after Apr 17. | Jul 2 |
| Watermelon | Mar 27 | Apr 17–Apr 24 | 165 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 165 available after Apr 17. | Jun 27 |
| Yellow Squash | Mar 27 | Apr 24–May 1 | 172 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 24 and again by Aug 5; both mature before Oct 13. | Aug 5 |
| Zinnias | Mar 13 | Apr 10–Apr 24 | 186 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 10 and again by Jul 31; both mature before Oct 13. | Jul 31 |
Month by month in Oak Ridge
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Start indoors: Chives (Jan 16), Lavender (Jan 16), Onion (Jan 16), Rosemary (Jan 16), Celery (Jan 30), Collards (Jan 30), +5 more. |
| February | Start indoors: Broccoli (Feb 13), Brussel Sprouts (Feb 13), Cabbage (Feb 13), Lettuce (Feb 13), Sage (Feb 13), Swiss Chard (Feb 13), +6 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Feb 13), Beets (Feb 13), Dill (Feb 13), Peas (Feb 13), Radish (Feb 13), Spinach (Feb 13), +1 more. |
| March | Start indoors: Basil (Mar 6), Tomato (Mar 6), Bok Choy (Mar 13), Corn (Mar 13), Cosmos (Mar 13), Nasturtiums (Mar 13), +11 more. Direct sow from: Cilantro (Mar 13), Turnip (Mar 13), Carrots (Mar 20), Potatoes (Mar 27). Transplant from: Broccoli (Mar 13), Brussel Sprouts (Mar 13), Cabbage (Mar 13), Collards (Mar 13), Kale (Mar 13), Lettuce (Mar 13), +4 more. Plant: Strawberry (Mar 6). |
| April | Direct sow from: Sunflowers (Apr 10), Beans (Apr 17), Pole Beans (Apr 17). Transplant from: Bok Choy (Apr 3), Cauliflower (Apr 3), Cosmos (Apr 10), Lavender (Apr 10), Marigolds (Apr 10), Mint (Apr 10), +24 more. Last frost around April 10. |
| May | Transplant from: Basil (May 1). |
| June | Last sowing dates: Butternut Squash (Jun 14), Pumpkin (Jun 14), Cantaloupe (Jun 22), Celery (Jun 22), Melons (Jun 22), Spaghetti Squash (Jun 24), +2 more. |
| July | Last sowing dates: Pepper (Jul 2), Tomatillos (Jul 2), Eggplant (Jul 7), Corn (Jul 9), Sunflowers (Jul 21), Brussel Sprouts (Jul 26), +5 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Broccoli (Aug 1), Nasturtiums (Aug 5), Okra (Aug 5), Yellow Squash (Aug 5), Zucchini (Aug 5), Cauliflower (Aug 6), +11 more. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Collards (Sep 4), Scallions (Sep 4), Bok Choy (Sep 5), Lettuce (Sep 5), Kale (Sep 9), Kohlrabi (Sep 9), +4 more. |
| October | Direct sow from: Garlic (Oct 27). First frost around October 27. |
| November | Last sowing dates: Garlic (Nov 17). |
| 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 Oak Ridge, TN (ZIP 37830)?
The median last spring frost date for Oak Ridge, TN (ZIP code 37830) is around April 10. 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 25; one in ten it runs past April 25.
What is the first fall frost date in Oak Ridge, TN?
The median first fall frost date for Oak Ridge, TN is around October 27. 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 12 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Oak Ridge, TN?
The frost-free growing season in Oak Ridge is about 200 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 Oak Ridge (200 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 Oak Ridge, TN?
Oak Ridge, 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 Oak Ridge, TN?
Start tomatoes indoors Mar 6 and plant out Apr 24 in Oak Ridge. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Oak Ridge?
Two: plant Mar 13 and again by Sep 5; both mature before Nov 3.
When do I plant garlic in Oak Ridge?
Oct 27 to Nov 17; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Can I get two tomato crops in Oak Ridge?
Yes: plant out Apr 24 for a summer crop, and set out a second round of transplants by Jun 27 for a fall crop.
Nearby and related
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