Frost Dates for Nashville-Davidson, TN

In Nashville-Davidson, TN, the average last spring frost is around Apr 1 and the average first fall frost around Oct 31, for a growing season of about 213 days. For frost-tender plants, wait until Apr 16, when the chance of frost drops to 10%.

Average last frostApr 150% chance of frost after this date
Safe to plantApr 16only a 10% chance of frost after
Average first frostOct 3150% chance of frost before this date
Growing season213 daysfrost-free in an average year

Based on NOAA 1991–2020 records from the Shelby Bottoms Nature, TN weather station, 3 miles away, elevation 405 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 16Oct 18
20%Apr 11Oct 22
30%Apr 7Oct 25
40%Apr 4Oct 28
50%Apr 1Oct 31
60%Mar 30Nov 1
70%Mar 25Nov 5
80%Mar 22Nov 8
90%Mar 16Nov 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 14Oct 22
Frost / freeze (32°F)Apr 1Oct 31
Hard freeze (28°F)Mar 20Nov 9

Planting calendar for Nashville-Davidson

Start indoors Plant outside Fall planting
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Tomatoes
Indoors Feb 4 – Feb 18
Transplant Apr 8 – Apr 22
Peppers
Indoors Jan 21 – Feb 4
Transplant Apr 15 – Apr 29
Eggplant
Indoors Jan 21 – Feb 4
Transplant Apr 15 – Apr 29
Basil
Indoors Feb 18 – Mar 4
Transplant Apr 8 – Apr 22
Cucumbers
Indoors Mar 4 – Mar 11
Sow or transplant Apr 8 – Apr 22
Zucchini and summer squash
Indoors Mar 4 – Mar 11
Sow or transplant Apr 8 – Apr 22
Pumpkins and winter squash
Sow Apr 8 – Apr 22
Watermelons and melons
Indoors Mar 4 – Mar 11
Sow or transplant Apr 15 – Apr 29
Green beans
Sow Apr 8 – Apr 22
Sweet corn
Sow Apr 8 – Apr 22
Lettuce
Indoors Feb 18 – Mar 4
Sow or transplant Mar 4 – Mar 18
Fall sowing Sep 5 – Oct 3
Spinach
Sow Feb 18 – Mar 11
Fall sowing Sep 5 – Sep 26
Peas
Sow Feb 18 – Mar 4
Fall sowing Aug 22 – Sep 5
Kale
Indoors Feb 4 – Feb 18
Sow or transplant Mar 4 – Mar 18
Fall sowing Aug 22 – Sep 19
Broccoli
Indoors Feb 4 – Feb 18
Transplant Mar 18 – Apr 1
Fall sowing Aug 8 – Aug 22
Cabbage
Indoors Feb 4 – Feb 18
Transplant Mar 11 – Mar 25
Fall sowing Aug 8 – Aug 22
Carrots
Sow Mar 11 – Apr 1
Fall sowing Aug 8 – Aug 22
Radishes
Sow Feb 25 – Mar 18
Fall sowing Sep 19 – Oct 10
Beets
Sow Mar 11 – Apr 1
Fall sowing Aug 22 – Sep 5
Onions (sets or transplants)
Indoors Jan 7 – Jan 21
Plant Mar 4 – Mar 18
Potatoes
Plant Mar 11 – Mar 25
Garlic
Plant Oct 31 – Nov 28

Based on the average last frost (Apr 1) and first frost (Oct 31). The dashed lines mark those dates. Seed packets list days to maturity; adjust for your varieties.

Nearby cities

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