Frost Dates for Franklin, TN

In Franklin, TN, the average last spring frost is around Apr 3 and the average first fall frost around Oct 31, for a growing season of about 210 days. For frost-tender plants, wait until Apr 20, when the chance of frost drops to 10%.

Average last frostApr 350% chance of frost after this date
Safe to plantApr 20only a 10% chance of frost after
Average first frostOct 3150% chance of frost before this date
Growing season210 daysfrost-free in an average year

Based on NOAA 1991–2020 records from the Franklin Sewage Plt, TN weather station, 2 miles away, elevation 655 ft. Frost can come earlier in low spots and valleys and later near cities and large lakes.

Frost probability by date

Chance of a 32°F frost after the spring date, or before the fall date.

ChanceLast spring frostFirst fall frost
10%Apr 20Oct 18
20%Apr 14Oct 22
30%Apr 10Oct 25
40%Apr 7Oct 28
50%Apr 3Oct 31
60%Mar 31Nov 1
70%Mar 27Nov 5
80%Mar 22Nov 8
90%Mar 17Nov 13

Light frost vs. hard freeze

Average (50%) dates for each temperature. Tender plants are damaged at 36°F; most hardy crops survive until 28°F.

TemperatureLast in springFirst in fall
Light frost (36°F)Apr 16Oct 22
Frost / freeze (32°F)Apr 3Oct 31
Hard freeze (28°F)Mar 22Nov 10

Planting calendar for Franklin

Start indoors Plant outside Fall planting
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Tomatoes
Indoors Feb 6 – Feb 20
Transplant Apr 10 – Apr 24
Peppers
Indoors Jan 23 – Feb 6
Transplant Apr 17 – May 1
Eggplant
Indoors Jan 23 – Feb 6
Transplant Apr 17 – May 1
Basil
Indoors Feb 20 – Mar 6
Transplant Apr 10 – Apr 24
Cucumbers
Indoors Mar 6 – Mar 13
Sow or transplant Apr 10 – Apr 24
Zucchini and summer squash
Indoors Mar 6 – Mar 13
Sow or transplant Apr 10 – Apr 24
Pumpkins and winter squash
Sow Apr 10 – Apr 24
Watermelons and melons
Indoors Mar 6 – Mar 13
Sow or transplant Apr 17 – May 1
Green beans
Sow Apr 10 – Apr 24
Sweet corn
Sow Apr 10 – Apr 24
Lettuce
Indoors Feb 20 – Mar 6
Sow or transplant Mar 6 – Mar 20
Fall sowing Sep 5 – Oct 3
Spinach
Sow Feb 20 – Mar 13
Fall sowing Sep 5 – Sep 26
Peas
Sow Feb 20 – Mar 6
Fall sowing Aug 22 – Sep 5
Kale
Indoors Feb 6 – Feb 20
Sow or transplant Mar 6 – Mar 20
Fall sowing Aug 22 – Sep 19
Broccoli
Indoors Feb 6 – Feb 20
Transplant Mar 20 – Apr 3
Fall sowing Aug 8 – Aug 22
Cabbage
Indoors Feb 6 – Feb 20
Transplant Mar 13 – Mar 27
Fall sowing Aug 8 – Aug 22
Carrots
Sow Mar 13 – Apr 3
Fall sowing Aug 8 – Aug 22
Radishes
Sow Feb 27 – Mar 20
Fall sowing Sep 19 – Oct 10
Beets
Sow Mar 13 – Apr 3
Fall sowing Aug 22 – Sep 5
Onions (sets or transplants)
Indoors Jan 9 – Jan 23
Plant Mar 6 – Mar 20
Potatoes
Plant Mar 13 – Mar 27
Garlic
Plant Oct 31 – Nov 28

Based on the average last frost (Apr 3) and first frost (Oct 31). The dashed lines mark those dates. Seed packets list days to maturity; adjust for your varieties.

Nearby cities

BrentwoodSpring HillLa VergneNashville-DavidsonSmyrnaColumbiaMurfreesboroMount JulietAll Tennessee towns