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

Planting zone for 37020 — Bell Buckle, TN

ZIP code 37020 (Bell Buckle, Bedford County) is in USDA zone 7b: the coldest winter night averages 5 to 10 °F. The median last spring frost is April 14 and the first fall frost October 25.

Where ZIP 37020 is

Outlined: the ZIP code area · 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

Coldest night−15 to −12.2 °C

Last frostApr 14

First frostOct 25

2012 zone7a

Was 7a on the 2012 map — half a zone warmer now. The zone is the one at the center of the ZIP code; hilly ZIPs can span two zones. What zone 7b means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Bell Buckle, TN…

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 Bell Buckle, TN

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostApril 14median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsApril 30only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 25median — 10% chance by Oct 11

Growing season192 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 2 and returns around November 2.

From the NOAA station Christiana 5w, TN — 7 miles away, elevation 751 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 37020

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Mar 3 – Mar 17

SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 3 – Mar 24

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 3 – Feb 17

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 24 – Apr 7

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 17 – Mar 31

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 24 – Apr 7

LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 17 – Mar 31

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 24 – Apr 7

TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 17 – Mar 3

TomatoesTransplant · Apr 21 – May 5

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 3 – Feb 17

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 28 – May 12

BeansSow outdoors · Apr 21 – May 5

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 21 – May 5

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 21 – May 5

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 30 – Sep 13

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 11 – Nov 15

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 14) and first fall frost (Oct 25) 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 37020 came on Feb 20 — 5 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 25).

average
Feb 252026
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).

Native plants for zone 7b in Tennessee

566 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in Tennessee, and rated by the USDA to survive 5 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 7b. Each links to its USDA PLANTS profile.

Source: USDA, NRCS. 2026. The PLANTS Database (plants.usda.gov), National Plant Data Team — state distribution, native status and the “Temperature, Minimum” characteristic. Check light, moisture and soil needs before buying; local nurseries and your state native plant society can confirm what thrives in Bell Buckle, TN.

Soil in Bell Buckle, TN

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 37020 is Lynnville — silt loam, moderately well drained.

TextureSilt loama good balance for most vegetables

pH6.7neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageModerately well drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter3%moderate

Hydrologic groupB/Dmoderate when drained; wet otherwise

Farmland classprime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Lynnville silt loam.

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 37020; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Bell Buckle, TN

Summer high87 °Faverage high, July

Winter low26 °Faverage low, January

Hot days31days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights92nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days4,129base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 34 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 45 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation63.8 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: Christiana 5w, TN (7 mi away); precipitation: Shelbyville Municipal Airport, TN (6 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 7b.

370637b

Fosterville, TN · 1 mi

370377b

Christiana, TN · 6 mi

371627b

Shelbyville, TN · 9 mi

371807b

Unionville, TN · 9 mi

371617b

Shelbyville, TN · 11 mi

371277b

Murfreesboro, TN · 11 mi

370187b

Beechgrove, TN · 11 mi

371837b

Wartrace, TN · 11 mi

Tennessee planting zones →

Questions about 37020

What planting zone is ZIP code 37020?

ZIP code 37020 (Bell Buckle, TN) is in USDA hardiness zone 7b on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches 5 to 10 °F (−15 to −12.2 °C).

When is the last frost in Bell Buckle, TN?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 37020 is April 14; after April 30 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Christiana 5w station.

When is the first frost in Bell Buckle, TN?

The median first fall frost near 37020 is October 25, giving a median frost-free growing season of 192 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 37020?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 17 – Mar 3 and set transplants outside around Apr 21 – May 5, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 37020 get?

About 63.8 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Shelbyville Municipal Airport station).

How hot do summers get in Bell Buckle, TN?

The average high peaks at 87 °F in July, with about 31 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 37020 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Lynnville at the center of ZIP 37020: silt loam, moderately well drained, pH about 6.7 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Bell Buckle, TN in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 37020 came on Feb 20 in 2026, 5 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 25), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Bell Buckle, TN?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 37020 is 14 h 34 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 37020 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 37020 in zone 7a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 7b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.