Data: 2023 USDA zones (PRISM/OSU) · NOAA 1991–2020 normals · updated Oct 29, 2026

Planting zone for Nashville, TN

Nashville, TN is in USDA zone 7b across its 36 ZIP codes. The median last spring frost is April 1 and the first fall frost October 31.

Nashville on the zone map

Outlined: its 22 ZIP code areas · tap the map for the zone at any spot · scroll or pinch to zoom

Not the official USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map. Zones come from the 2023 USDA hardiness-zone data by the PRISM Group, Oregon State University; we re-mapped and recolored them. The official map is at planthardiness.ars.usda.gov.

Zone7b5 to 10 °F

ZIP codes36

Last frostApr 1

First frostOct 31

Growing season213 days

7b 36 ZIPs

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

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Forecast data: National Weather Service (api.weather.gov), public domain. This is not a warning service — for official frost and freeze warnings see weather.gov.

Frost dates in Nashville, TN

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free

Last spring frostApril 1median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsApril 16only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 31median — 10% chance by Oct 18

Growing season213 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 20 and returns around November 9.

From the NOAA station Shelby Bottoms Nature, TN, elevation 404 ft. NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, 32 °F threshold. Low spots and valleys can freeze later in spring than the station.

When to plant vegetables in Nashville

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Feb 18 – Mar 4

SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 18 – Mar 11

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 21 – Feb 4

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 11 – Mar 25

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 4 – Mar 18

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 11 – Mar 25

LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 4 – Mar 18

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 11 – Mar 25

TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 4 – Feb 18

TomatoesTransplant · Apr 8 – Apr 22

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 21 – Feb 4

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 15 – Apr 29

BeansSow outdoors · Apr 8 – Apr 22

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 8 – Apr 22

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 8 – Apr 22

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 5 – Sep 19

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 17 – Nov 21

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 1) and first fall frost (Oct 31) with the rules of thumb U.S. extension services publish. Cool-season crops take a light frost; warm-season crops do best once the soil is above about 60 °F.

When spring arrived in 2026

In 2026, spring leaf-out near 37246 came on Feb 20 — 4 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 24).

average
Feb 242026
Feb 20

JanFebMarAprMayJun

The Spring Index marks the day when accumulated warmth is enough for lilac and honeysuckle to leaf out — a widely used signal that the growing season has started. Source: USA National Phenology Network, www.usanpn.org — Spring Indices, first leaf, 2026 (data as of 2026-09-08) and 30-year average 1991–2020 (CC BY 4.0).

Soil in Nashville, TN

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 37246 is Maury — silt loam, well drained.

TextureSilt loama good balance for most vegetables

pH6.2slightly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter2.5%moderate

Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Maury-Urban land complex, 2 to 7 percent slopes.

Soil Survey Staff, Natural Resources Conservation Service, USDA. Soil Survey Geographic (SSURGO) Database, via Soil Data Access, accessed 2026-10-29. The soil at the center point of ZIP 37246; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Nashville, TN

Summer high89 °Faverage high, July

Winter low28 °Faverage low, January

Hot days51days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights76nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days4,655base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 37 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 42 mindaylight on December 21

Onions to growIntermediateday-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully

Precipitation54.7 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

Precipitation by month inches

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Shelby Bottoms Nature, TN (4 mi away); precipitation: Berry Hill 1.6 Wnw, TN (2 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Questions about Nashville

What planting zone is Nashville, TN?

Nashville, TN is in USDA hardiness zone 7b on the 2023 map (7b: 5 to 10 °F).

When is the last frost in Nashville, TN?

The median last spring frost is April 1 and the median first fall frost is October 31 (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Shelby Bottoms Nature station).

When can I plant a garden in Nashville, TN?

Cool-season crops like peas and spinach go in around Feb 18 – Mar 11; tomatoes, peppers, beans and squash after about Apr 8, once frost risk has passed.

What kind of onions grow in Nashville, TN?

Intermediate onions: the longest day is 14 h 37 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

How much rain and snow does Nashville, TN get?

About 54.7 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals).