Frost Dates for Union City, TN 38261
Last spring frost April 7 · First fall frost October 23 · 199 frost-free days · USDA Zone 7b
ZIP 38261 has about 16,400 people.
Long season: 199 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans March 24–April 20 (27 days). Fall frost risk spans October 7–November 8 (32 days).
Frost probability for 38261
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | April 20 | April 7 | March 24 |
| Fall (first frost) | October 7 | October 23 | November 8 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at SAMBURG WR (16.9 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 199-day season in Union City
In Union City (199 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 3 | Apr 21–Apr 28 | 157 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 157 available after Apr 21. | Jun 23 |
| Pepper | Feb 24 | Apr 21–Apr 28 | 157 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 157 available after Apr 21. | Jun 28 |
| Lettuce | Feb 10 | Mar 10–Mar 17 | 234 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 10 and again by Sep 1; both mature before Oct 30. | Sep 1 |
| Carrots | — | Mar 17–Mar 24 | 241 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 241 available after Mar 17. | Aug 21 |
| Cucumber | Mar 17 | Apr 21–Apr 28 | 171 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 21 and again by Jul 27; both mature before Oct 9. | Jul 27 |
| Beans | — | Apr 14–Apr 28 | 185 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 14 and again by Aug 3; both mature before Oct 16. | Aug 3 |
| Peas | — | Feb 10–Apr 21 | 262 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 262 available after Feb 10. | Aug 12 |
| Zucchini | Mar 24 | Apr 21–Apr 28 | 171 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 21 and again by Aug 1; both mature before Oct 9. | Aug 1 |
| Onion | Jan 13 | Mar 10–Mar 24 | 234 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 234 available after Mar 10. | — |
| Spinach | — | Feb 10–Mar 31 | 276 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 10 and again by Sep 20; both mature before Nov 13. | Sep 20 |
| Kale | Jan 27 | Mar 10–Mar 24 | 248 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 10 and again by Sep 5; both mature before Nov 13. | Sep 5 |
| Broccoli | Feb 10 | Mar 10–Mar 24 | 234 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 234 available after Mar 10. | Jul 28 |
| Cabbage | Feb 10 | Mar 10–Mar 24 | 248 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 248 available after Mar 10. | Aug 21 |
| Radish | — | Feb 10–May 5 | 262 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 10 and again by Sep 21; both mature before Oct 30. | Sep 21 |
| Beets | — | Feb 10–May 5 | 262 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 10 and again by Aug 22; both mature before Oct 30. | Aug 22 |
| Potatoes | — | Mar 24–Mar 31 | 220 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 220 available after Mar 24. | — |
| Garlic | — | Oct 23 | 304 | overwinter: Plant Oct 23 to Nov 13; harvest the following summer. | Nov 13 |
| Strawberry | — | Mar 3–Apr 28 | 255 | perennial: A perennial: plant Mar 3; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Mar 10 | Apr 14–Apr 21 | 171 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 171 available after Apr 14. | Jul 5 |
| Pumpkin | Mar 24 | Apr 21–Apr 21 | 164 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 164 available after Apr 21. | Jun 10 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 24 | Mar 31–Apr 14 | 213 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 213 available after Mar 31. | Aug 2 |
| Swiss Chard | Feb 10 | Mar 24–Mar 24 | 220 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 24 and again by Aug 22; both mature before Oct 30. | Aug 22 |
| Arugula | — | Feb 10–May 5 | 276 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 10 and again by Sep 20; both mature before Nov 13. | Sep 20 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Feb 10 | Mar 10–Mar 24 | 248 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 248 available after Mar 10. | Jul 22 |
| Butternut Squash | Mar 24 | Apr 21–Apr 28 | 164 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 164 available after Apr 21. | Jun 10 |
| Eggplant | Feb 17 | Apr 21–Apr 28 | 157 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 157 available after Apr 21. | Jul 3 |
| Okra | Mar 10 | Apr 14–Apr 21 | 178 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 14 and again by Aug 1; both mature before Oct 9. | Aug 1 |
| Basil | Mar 3 | Apr 28–Apr 28 | 164 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 28 and again by Jul 27; both mature before Oct 9. | Jul 27 |
| Cilantro | — | Mar 10–Mar 31 | 234 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 10 and again by Aug 27; both mature before Oct 30. | Aug 27 |
| Parsley | Jan 27 | Apr 14–Apr 21 | 199 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 199 available after Apr 14. | Aug 7 |
| Celery | Jan 27 | Apr 14–Apr 28 | 199 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 199 available after Apr 14. | Jun 18 |
| Scallions | Jan 27 | Mar 10–Mar 24 | 248 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 10 and again by Aug 31; both mature before Nov 13. | Aug 31 |
| Turnip | — | Mar 10–Mar 24 | 248 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 10 and again by Sep 10; both mature before Nov 13. | Sep 10 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Feb 24–Mar 10 | 262 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 24 and again by Sep 5; both mature before Nov 13. | Sep 5 |
| Bok Choy | Mar 10 | Mar 31–Apr 7 | 213 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 31 and again by Sep 1; both mature before Oct 30. | Sep 1 |
| Collards | Jan 27 | Mar 10–Mar 24 | 248 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 10 and again by Aug 31; both mature before Nov 13. | Aug 31 |
| Cantaloupe | Mar 24 | Apr 21–Apr 28 | 157 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 157 available after Apr 21. | Jun 18 |
| Chives | Jan 13 | Apr 14–Apr 21 | 213 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 213 available after Apr 14. | — |
| Dill | — | Feb 10–May 5 | 262 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 10 and again by Aug 22; both mature before Oct 30. | Aug 22 |
| Oregano | Jan 27 | Apr 14–Apr 21 | 213 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 213 available after Apr 14. | — |
| Rosemary | Jan 13 | Apr 14–Apr 21 | 199 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 199 available after Apr 14. | — |
| Sage | Feb 10 | Apr 14–Apr 21 | 213 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 213 available after Apr 14. | — |
| Thyme | Jan 27 | Apr 14–Apr 21 | 213 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 213 available after Apr 14. | — |
| Calendula | Feb 24 | Mar 24–Apr 7 | 220 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 24 and again by Aug 27; both mature before Oct 30. | Aug 27 |
| Cosmos | Mar 10 | Apr 7–Apr 21 | 185 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 7 and again by Jul 27; both mature before Oct 9. | Jul 27 |
| Lavender | Jan 13 | Apr 7–Apr 21 | 220 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 220 available after Apr 7. | — |
| Marigolds | Feb 24 | Apr 7–Apr 14 | 185 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 7 and again by Aug 6; both mature before Oct 9. | Aug 6 |
| Melons | Mar 24 | Apr 21–Apr 28 | 157 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 157 available after Apr 21. | Jun 18 |
| Mint | — | Apr 7–Apr 21 | 220 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 220 available after Apr 7. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Mar 10 | Apr 7–Apr 14 | 185 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 7 and again by Aug 1; both mature before Oct 9. | Aug 1 |
| Pole Beans | — | Apr 14–Apr 28 | 178 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 178 available after Apr 14. | Jul 22 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Mar 24 | Apr 21–Apr 28 | 164 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 164 available after Apr 21. | Jun 20 |
| Sunflowers | — | Apr 7–Apr 21 | 185 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 185 available after Apr 7. | Jul 17 |
| Tomatillos | Feb 10 | Apr 14–Apr 21 | 164 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 164 available after Apr 14. | Jun 28 |
| Watermelon | Mar 24 | Apr 14–Apr 21 | 164 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 164 available after Apr 14. | Jun 23 |
| Yellow Squash | Mar 24 | Apr 21–Apr 28 | 171 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 21 and again by Aug 1; both mature before Oct 9. | Aug 1 |
| Zinnias | Mar 10 | Apr 7–Apr 21 | 185 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 7 and again by Jul 27; both mature before Oct 9. | Jul 27 |
Month by month in Union City
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Start indoors: Chives (Jan 13), Lavender (Jan 13), Onion (Jan 13), Rosemary (Jan 13), Celery (Jan 27), Collards (Jan 27), +5 more. |
| February | Start indoors: Broccoli (Feb 10), Brussel Sprouts (Feb 10), Cabbage (Feb 10), Lettuce (Feb 10), Sage (Feb 10), Swiss Chard (Feb 10), +6 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Feb 10), Beets (Feb 10), Dill (Feb 10), Peas (Feb 10), Radish (Feb 10), Spinach (Feb 10), +1 more. |
| March | Start indoors: Basil (Mar 3), Tomato (Mar 3), Bok Choy (Mar 10), Corn (Mar 10), Cosmos (Mar 10), Nasturtiums (Mar 10), +11 more. Direct sow from: Cilantro (Mar 10), Turnip (Mar 10), Carrots (Mar 17), Potatoes (Mar 24). Transplant from: Broccoli (Mar 10), Brussel Sprouts (Mar 10), Cabbage (Mar 10), Collards (Mar 10), Kale (Mar 10), Lettuce (Mar 10), +6 more. Plant: Strawberry (Mar 3). |
| April | Direct sow from: Sunflowers (Apr 7), Beans (Apr 14), Pole Beans (Apr 14). Transplant from: Cosmos (Apr 7), Lavender (Apr 7), Marigolds (Apr 7), Mint (Apr 7), Nasturtiums (Apr 7), Zinnias (Apr 7), +23 more. Last frost around April 7. |
| May | Frost has passed. Transplant tomatoes, peppers, and basil outdoors. Direct sow beans, cucumbers, squash, and zucchini. |
| June | Last sowing dates: Butternut Squash (Jun 10), Pumpkin (Jun 10), Cantaloupe (Jun 18), Celery (Jun 18), Melons (Jun 18), Spaghetti Squash (Jun 20), +4 more. |
| July | Last sowing dates: Eggplant (Jul 3), Corn (Jul 5), Sunflowers (Jul 17), Brussel Sprouts (Jul 22), Pole Beans (Jul 22), Basil (Jul 27), +4 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Nasturtiums (Aug 1), Okra (Aug 1), Yellow Squash (Aug 1), Zucchini (Aug 1), Cauliflower (Aug 2), Beans (Aug 3), +12 more. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Bok Choy (Sep 1), Lettuce (Sep 1), Kale (Sep 5), Kohlrabi (Sep 5), Turnip (Sep 10), Arugula (Sep 20), +2 more. |
| October | Direct sow from: Garlic (Oct 23). First frost around October 23. |
| November | Last sowing dates: Garlic (Nov 13). |
| 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 Union City, TN (ZIP 38261)?
The median last spring frost date for Union City, TN (ZIP code 38261) is around April 7. 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 24; one in ten it runs past April 20.
What is the first fall frost date in Union City, TN?
The median first fall frost date for Union City, TN is around October 23. 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 7 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Union City, TN?
The frost-free growing season in Union City is about 199 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 Union City (199 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 Union City, TN?
Union City, 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 Union City, TN?
Start tomatoes indoors Mar 3 and plant out Apr 21 in Union City. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Union City?
Two: plant Mar 10 and again by Sep 1; both mature before Oct 30.
When do I plant garlic in Union City?
Oct 23 to Nov 13; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Can I get two tomato crops in Union City?
Yes: plant out Apr 21 for a summer crop, and set out a second round of transplants by Jun 23 for a fall crop.
Which nearby ZIP has a longer season?
Dyersburg (ZIP 38024) has 218 frost-free days, 19 more than Union City (ZIP 38261). See Dyersburg ZIP 38024 frost dates
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