Frost Dates for Paris, TN 38242

Last spring frost April 8 · First fall frost October 26 · 201 frost-free days · USDA Zone 7b

ZIP 38242 has about 19,300 people.

Long season: 201 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans March 26–April 21 (26 days). Fall frost risk spans October 10–November 11 (32 days).

Frost probability for 38242

Frost10%50%90%
Spring (last frost)April 21April 8March 26
Fall (first frost)October 10October 26November 11

Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at HUNTINGDON WTP (34.9 km away); the 50% date is the median year.

Which crops fit a 201-day season in Paris

In Paris (201 frost-free days, a long season), 30 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 25 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.

CropStart indoorsPlant out / sowDays you haveVerdictLast sow date
TomatoMar 4Apr 22–Apr 29159fits: 80 days to maturity, 159 available after Apr 22.Jun 26
PepperFeb 25Apr 22–Apr 29159fits: 75 days to maturity, 159 available after Apr 22.Jul 1
LettuceFeb 11Mar 11–Mar 18236two-plantings: Plant Mar 11 and again by Sep 4; both mature before Nov 2.Sep 4
Carrots—Mar 18–Mar 25243fits: 70 days to maturity, 243 available after Mar 18.Aug 24
CucumberMar 18Apr 22–Apr 29173two-plantings: Plant Apr 22 and again by Jul 30; both mature before Oct 12.Jul 30
Beans—Apr 15–Apr 29187two-plantings: Plant Apr 15 and again by Aug 6; both mature before Oct 19.Aug 6
Peas—Feb 11–Apr 22264fits: 65 days to maturity, 264 available after Feb 11.Aug 15
ZucchiniMar 25Apr 22–Apr 29173two-plantings: Plant Apr 22 and again by Aug 4; both mature before Oct 12.Aug 4
OnionJan 14Mar 11–Mar 25236fits: 100 days to maturity, 236 available after Mar 11.—
Spinach—Feb 11–Apr 1278two-plantings: Plant Feb 11 and again by Sep 23; both mature before Nov 16.Sep 23
KaleJan 28Mar 11–Mar 25250two-plantings: Plant Mar 11 and again by Sep 8; both mature before Nov 16.Sep 8
BroccoliFeb 11Mar 11–Mar 25236fits: 80 days to maturity, 236 available after Mar 11.Jul 31
CabbageFeb 11Mar 11–Mar 25250fits: 70 days to maturity, 250 available after Mar 11.Aug 24
Radish—Feb 11–May 6264two-plantings: Plant Feb 11 and again by Sep 24; both mature before Nov 2.Sep 24
Beets—Feb 11–May 6264two-plantings: Plant Feb 11 and again by Aug 25; both mature before Nov 2.Aug 25
Potatoes—Mar 25–Apr 1222fits: 90 days to maturity, 222 available after Mar 25.—
Garlic—Oct 26306overwinter: Plant Oct 26 to Nov 16; harvest the following summer.Nov 16
Strawberry—Mar 4–Apr 29257perennial: A perennial: plant Mar 4; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years.—
CornMar 11Apr 15–Apr 22173fits: 75 days to maturity, 173 available after Apr 15.Jul 8
PumpkinMar 25Apr 22–Apr 22166fits: 100 days to maturity, 166 available after Apr 22.Jun 13
CauliflowerFeb 25Apr 1–Apr 15215fits: 75 days to maturity, 215 available after Apr 1.Aug 5
Swiss ChardFeb 11Mar 25–Mar 25222two-plantings: Plant Mar 25 and again by Aug 25; both mature before Nov 2.Aug 25
Arugula—Feb 11–May 6278two-plantings: Plant Feb 11 and again by Sep 23; both mature before Nov 16.Sep 23
Brussel SproutsFeb 11Mar 11–Mar 25250fits: 100 days to maturity, 250 available after Mar 11.Jul 25
Butternut SquashMar 25Apr 22–Apr 29166fits: 100 days to maturity, 166 available after Apr 22.Jun 13
EggplantFeb 18Apr 22–Apr 29159fits: 70 days to maturity, 159 available after Apr 22.Jul 6
OkraMar 11Apr 15–Apr 22180two-plantings: Plant Apr 15 and again by Aug 4; both mature before Oct 12.Aug 4
BasilMar 4Apr 29–Apr 29166two-plantings: Plant Apr 29 and again by Jul 30; both mature before Oct 12.Jul 30
Cilantro—Mar 11–Apr 1236two-plantings: Plant Mar 11 and again by Aug 30; both mature before Nov 2.Aug 30
ParsleyJan 28Apr 15–Apr 22201fits: 70 days to maturity, 201 available after Apr 15.Aug 10
CeleryJan 28Apr 15–Apr 29201fits: 120 days to maturity, 201 available after Apr 15.Jun 21
ScallionsJan 28Mar 11–Mar 25250two-plantings: Plant Mar 11 and again by Sep 3; both mature before Nov 16.Sep 3
Turnip—Mar 11–Mar 25250two-plantings: Plant Mar 11 and again by Sep 13; both mature before Nov 16.Sep 13
Kohlrabi—Feb 25–Mar 11264two-plantings: Plant Feb 25 and again by Sep 8; both mature before Nov 16.Sep 8
Bok ChoyMar 11Apr 1–Apr 8215two-plantings: Plant Apr 1 and again by Sep 4; both mature before Nov 2.Sep 4
CollardsJan 28Mar 11–Mar 25250two-plantings: Plant Mar 11 and again by Sep 3; both mature before Nov 16.Sep 3
CantaloupeMar 25Apr 22–Apr 29159fits: 85 days to maturity, 159 available after Apr 22.Jun 21
ChivesJan 14Apr 15–Apr 22215fits: 90 days to maturity, 215 available after Apr 15.—
Dill—Feb 11–May 6264two-plantings: Plant Feb 11 and again by Aug 25; both mature before Nov 2.Aug 25
OreganoJan 28Apr 15–Apr 22215fits: 80 days to maturity, 215 available after Apr 15.—
RosemaryJan 14Apr 15–Apr 22201fits: 80 days to maturity, 201 available after Apr 15.—
SageFeb 11Apr 15–Apr 22215fits: 75 days to maturity, 215 available after Apr 15.—
ThymeJan 28Apr 15–Apr 22215fits: 90 days to maturity, 215 available after Apr 15.—
CalendulaFeb 25Mar 25–Apr 8222two-plantings: Plant Mar 25 and again by Aug 30; both mature before Nov 2.Aug 30
CosmosMar 11Apr 8–Apr 22187two-plantings: Plant Apr 8 and again by Jul 30; both mature before Oct 12.Jul 30
LavenderJan 14Apr 8–Apr 22222fits: 90 days to maturity, 222 available after Apr 8.—
MarigoldsFeb 25Apr 8–Apr 15187two-plantings: Plant Apr 8 and again by Aug 9; both mature before Oct 12.Aug 9
MelonsMar 25Apr 22–Apr 29159fits: 85 days to maturity, 159 available after Apr 22.Jun 21
Mint—Apr 8–Apr 22222fits: 90 days to maturity, 222 available after Apr 8.—
NasturtiumsMar 11Apr 8–Apr 15187two-plantings: Plant Apr 8 and again by Aug 4; both mature before Oct 12.Aug 4
Pole Beans—Apr 15–Apr 29180fits: 65 days to maturity, 180 available after Apr 15.Jul 25
Spaghetti SquashMar 25Apr 22–Apr 29166fits: 90 days to maturity, 166 available after Apr 22.Jun 23
Sunflowers—Apr 8–Apr 22187fits: 70 days to maturity, 187 available after Apr 8.Jul 20
TomatillosFeb 11Apr 15–Apr 22166fits: 75 days to maturity, 166 available after Apr 15.Jul 1
WatermelonMar 25Apr 15–Apr 22166fits: 80 days to maturity, 166 available after Apr 15.Jun 26
Yellow SquashMar 25Apr 22–Apr 29173two-plantings: Plant Apr 22 and again by Aug 4; both mature before Oct 12.Aug 4
ZinniasMar 11Apr 8–Apr 22187two-plantings: Plant Apr 8 and again by Jul 30; both mature before Oct 12.Jul 30

Month by month in Paris

MonthWhat to do
JanuaryStart indoors: Chives (Jan 14), Lavender (Jan 14), Onion (Jan 14), Rosemary (Jan 14), Celery (Jan 28), Collards (Jan 28), +5 more.
FebruaryStart indoors: Broccoli (Feb 11), Brussel Sprouts (Feb 11), Cabbage (Feb 11), Lettuce (Feb 11), Sage (Feb 11), Swiss Chard (Feb 11), +6 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Feb 11), Beets (Feb 11), Dill (Feb 11), Peas (Feb 11), Radish (Feb 11), Spinach (Feb 11), +1 more.
MarchStart indoors: Basil (Mar 4), Tomato (Mar 4), Bok Choy (Mar 11), Corn (Mar 11), Cosmos (Mar 11), Nasturtiums (Mar 11), +11 more. Direct sow from: Cilantro (Mar 11), Turnip (Mar 11), Carrots (Mar 18), Potatoes (Mar 25). Transplant from: Broccoli (Mar 11), Brussel Sprouts (Mar 11), Cabbage (Mar 11), Collards (Mar 11), Kale (Mar 11), Lettuce (Mar 11), +4 more. Plant: Strawberry (Mar 4).
AprilDirect sow from: Sunflowers (Apr 8), Beans (Apr 15), Pole Beans (Apr 15). Transplant from: Bok Choy (Apr 1), Cauliflower (Apr 1), Cosmos (Apr 8), Lavender (Apr 8), Marigolds (Apr 8), Mint (Apr 8), +25 more. Last frost around April 8.
MayFrost has passed. Transplant tomatoes, peppers, and basil outdoors. Direct sow beans, cucumbers, squash, and zucchini.
JuneLast sowing dates: Butternut Squash (Jun 13), Pumpkin (Jun 13), Cantaloupe (Jun 21), Celery (Jun 21), Melons (Jun 21), Spaghetti Squash (Jun 23), +2 more.
JulyLast sowing dates: Pepper (Jul 1), Tomatillos (Jul 1), Eggplant (Jul 6), Corn (Jul 8), Sunflowers (Jul 20), Brussel Sprouts (Jul 25), +6 more.
AugustLast sowing dates: Nasturtiums (Aug 4), Okra (Aug 4), Yellow Squash (Aug 4), Zucchini (Aug 4), Cauliflower (Aug 5), Beans (Aug 6), +10 more.
SeptemberLast sowing dates: Collards (Sep 3), Scallions (Sep 3), Bok Choy (Sep 4), Lettuce (Sep 4), Kale (Sep 8), Kohlrabi (Sep 8), +4 more.
OctoberDirect sow from: Garlic (Oct 26). First frost around October 26.
NovemberLast sowing dates: Garlic (Nov 16).
DecemberClean 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 Paris, TN (ZIP 38242)?

The median last spring frost date for Paris, TN (ZIP code 38242) is around April 8. 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 26; one in ten it runs past April 21.

What is the first fall frost date in Paris, TN?

The median first fall frost date for Paris, TN is around October 26. 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 10 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.

How long is the growing season in Paris, TN?

The frost-free growing season in Paris is about 201 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 Paris (201 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 Paris, TN?

Paris, 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 Paris, TN?

Start tomatoes indoors Mar 4 and plant out Apr 22 in Paris. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.

How many plantings of lettuce fit in Paris?

Two: plant Mar 11 and again by Sep 4; both mature before Nov 2.

When do I plant garlic in Paris?

Oct 26 to Nov 16; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.

Can I get two tomato crops in Paris?

Yes: plant out Apr 22 for a summer crop, and set out a second round of transplants by Jun 26 for a fall crop.

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