Frost Dates for Shelbyville, TN 37160
Last spring frost April 13 · First fall frost October 21 · 191 frost-free days · USDA Zone 7b
ZIP 37160 has about 38,100 people.
Long season: 191 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans March 29–April 28 (30 days). Fall frost risk spans October 5–November 5 (31 days).
Frost probability for 37160
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | April 28 | April 13 | March 29 |
| Fall (first frost) | October 5 | October 21 | November 5 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at SHELBYVILLE WATER DEPT (3.0 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 191-day season in Shelbyville
In Shelbyville (191 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 | 149 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 149 available after Apr 27. | Jun 21 |
| Pepper | Mar 2 | Apr 27–May 4 | 149 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 149 available after Apr 27. | Jun 26 |
| Lettuce | Feb 16 | Mar 16–Mar 23 | 226 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 16 and again by Aug 30; both mature before Oct 28. | Aug 30 |
| Carrots | — | Mar 23–Mar 30 | 233 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 233 available after Mar 23. | Aug 19 |
| Cucumber | Mar 23 | Apr 27–May 4 | 163 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 27 and again by Jul 25; both mature before Oct 7. | Jul 25 |
| Beans | — | Apr 20–May 4 | 177 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 20 and again by Aug 1; both mature before Oct 14. | Aug 1 |
| Peas | — | Feb 16–Apr 27 | 254 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 254 available after Feb 16. | Aug 10 |
| Zucchini | Mar 30 | Apr 27–May 4 | 163 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 27 and again by Jul 30; both mature before Oct 7. | Jul 30 |
| Onion | Jan 19 | Mar 16–Mar 30 | 226 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 226 available after Mar 16. | — |
| Spinach | — | Feb 16–Apr 6 | 268 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 16 and again by Sep 18; both mature before Nov 11. | Sep 18 |
| Kale | Feb 2 | Mar 16–Mar 30 | 240 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 16 and again by Sep 3; both mature before Nov 11. | Sep 3 |
| Broccoli | Feb 16 | Mar 16–Mar 30 | 226 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 226 available after Mar 16. | Jul 26 |
| Cabbage | Feb 16 | Mar 16–Mar 30 | 240 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 240 available after Mar 16. | Aug 19 |
| Radish | — | Feb 16–May 11 | 254 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 16 and again by Sep 19; both mature before Oct 28. | Sep 19 |
| Beets | — | Feb 16–May 11 | 254 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 16 and again by Aug 20; both mature before Oct 28. | Aug 20 |
| Potatoes | — | Mar 30–Apr 6 | 212 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 212 available after Mar 30. | — |
| Garlic | — | Oct 21 | 296 | overwinter: Plant Oct 21 to Nov 11; harvest the following summer. | Nov 11 |
| Strawberry | — | Mar 9–May 4 | 247 | 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 | 163 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 163 available after Apr 20. | Jul 3 |
| Pumpkin | Mar 30 | Apr 27–Apr 27 | 156 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 156 available after Apr 27. | Jun 8 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 2 | Apr 6–Apr 20 | 205 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 205 available after Apr 6. | Jul 31 |
| Swiss Chard | Feb 16 | Mar 30–Mar 30 | 212 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 30 and again by Aug 20; both mature before Oct 28. | Aug 20 |
| Arugula | — | Feb 16–May 11 | 268 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 16 and again by Sep 18; both mature before Nov 11. | Sep 18 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Feb 16 | Mar 16–Mar 30 | 240 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 240 available after Mar 16. | Jul 20 |
| Butternut Squash | Mar 30 | Apr 27–May 4 | 156 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 156 available after Apr 27. | Jun 8 |
| Eggplant | Feb 23 | Apr 27–May 4 | 149 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 149 available after Apr 27. | Jul 1 |
| Okra | Mar 16 | Apr 20–Apr 27 | 170 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 20 and again by Jul 30; both mature before Oct 7. | Jul 30 |
| Basil | Mar 9 | May 4–May 4 | 156 | two-plantings: Plant May 4 and again by Jul 25; both mature before Oct 7. | Jul 25 |
| Cilantro | — | Mar 16–Apr 6 | 226 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 16 and again by Aug 25; both mature before Oct 28. | Aug 25 |
| Parsley | Feb 2 | Apr 20–Apr 27 | 191 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 191 available after Apr 20. | Aug 5 |
| Celery | Feb 2 | Apr 20–May 4 | 191 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 191 available after Apr 20. | Jun 16 |
| Scallions | Feb 2 | Mar 16–Mar 30 | 240 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 16 and again by Aug 29; both mature before Nov 11. | Aug 29 |
| Turnip | — | Mar 16–Mar 30 | 240 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 16 and again by Sep 8; both mature before Nov 11. | Sep 8 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Mar 2–Mar 16 | 254 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 2 and again by Sep 3; both mature before Nov 11. | Sep 3 |
| Bok Choy | Mar 16 | Apr 6–Apr 13 | 205 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 6 and again by Aug 30; both mature before Oct 28. | Aug 30 |
| Collards | Feb 2 | Mar 16–Mar 30 | 240 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 16 and again by Aug 29; both mature before Nov 11. | Aug 29 |
| Cantaloupe | Mar 30 | Apr 27–May 4 | 149 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 149 available after Apr 27. | Jun 16 |
| Chives | Jan 19 | Apr 20–Apr 27 | 205 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 205 available after Apr 20. | — |
| Dill | — | Feb 16–May 11 | 254 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 16 and again by Aug 20; both mature before Oct 28. | Aug 20 |
| Oregano | Feb 2 | Apr 20–Apr 27 | 205 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 205 available after Apr 20. | — |
| Rosemary | Jan 19 | Apr 20–Apr 27 | 191 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 191 available after Apr 20. | — |
| Sage | Feb 16 | Apr 20–Apr 27 | 205 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 205 available after Apr 20. | — |
| Thyme | Feb 2 | Apr 20–Apr 27 | 205 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 205 available after Apr 20. | — |
| Calendula | Mar 2 | Mar 30–Apr 13 | 212 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 30 and again by Aug 25; both mature before Oct 28. | Aug 25 |
| Cosmos | Mar 16 | Apr 13–Apr 27 | 177 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 13 and again by Jul 25; both mature before Oct 7. | Jul 25 |
| Lavender | Jan 19 | Apr 13–Apr 27 | 212 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 212 available after Apr 13. | — |
| Marigolds | Mar 2 | Apr 13–Apr 20 | 177 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 13 and again by Aug 4; both mature before Oct 7. | Aug 4 |
| Melons | Mar 30 | Apr 27–May 4 | 149 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 149 available after Apr 27. | Jun 16 |
| Mint | — | Apr 13–Apr 27 | 212 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 212 available after Apr 13. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Mar 16 | Apr 13–Apr 20 | 177 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 13 and again by Jul 30; both mature before Oct 7. | Jul 30 |
| Pole Beans | — | Apr 20–May 4 | 170 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 170 available after Apr 20. | Jul 20 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Mar 30 | Apr 27–May 4 | 156 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 156 available after Apr 27. | Jun 18 |
| Sunflowers | — | Apr 13–Apr 27 | 177 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 177 available after Apr 13. | Jul 15 |
| Tomatillos | Feb 16 | Apr 20–Apr 27 | 156 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 156 available after Apr 20. | Jun 26 |
| Watermelon | Mar 30 | Apr 20–Apr 27 | 156 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 156 available after Apr 20. | Jun 21 |
| Yellow Squash | Mar 30 | Apr 27–May 4 | 163 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 27 and again by Jul 30; both mature before Oct 7. | Jul 30 |
| Zinnias | Mar 16 | Apr 13–Apr 27 | 177 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 13 and again by Jul 25; both mature before Oct 7. | Jul 25 |
Month by month in Shelbyville
| 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 8), Pumpkin (Jun 8), Cantaloupe (Jun 16), Celery (Jun 16), Melons (Jun 16), Spaghetti Squash (Jun 18), +4 more. |
| July | Last sowing dates: Eggplant (Jul 1), Corn (Jul 3), Sunflowers (Jul 15), Brussel Sprouts (Jul 20), Pole Beans (Jul 20), Basil (Jul 25), +9 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Beans (Aug 1), Marigolds (Aug 4), Parsley (Aug 5), Peas (Aug 10), Cabbage (Aug 19), Carrots (Aug 19), +9 more. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Kale (Sep 3), Kohlrabi (Sep 3), Turnip (Sep 8), Arugula (Sep 18), Spinach (Sep 18), Radish (Sep 19). |
| October | Direct sow from: Garlic (Oct 21). First frost around October 21. |
| November | Last sowing dates: Garlic (Nov 11). |
| 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 Shelbyville, TN (ZIP 37160)?
The median last spring frost date for Shelbyville, TN (ZIP code 37160) 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 29; one in ten it runs past April 28.
What is the first fall frost date in Shelbyville, TN?
The median first fall frost date for Shelbyville, TN is around October 21. 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 Shelbyville, TN?
The frost-free growing season in Shelbyville is about 191 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 Shelbyville (191 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 Shelbyville, TN?
Shelbyville, 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 Shelbyville, TN?
Start tomatoes indoors Mar 9 and plant out Apr 27 in Shelbyville. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Shelbyville?
Two: plant Mar 16 and again by Aug 30; both mature before Oct 28.
When do I plant garlic in Shelbyville?
Oct 21 to Nov 11; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Can I get two tomato crops in Shelbyville?
Yes: plant out Apr 27 for a summer crop, and set out a second round of transplants by Jun 21 for a fall crop.
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