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

Planting zone for 37048 — Cottontown, TN

ZIP code 37048 (Cottontown, Sumner County) is in USDA zone 7b: the coldest winter night averages 5 to 10 °F. The median last spring frost is April 7 and the first fall frost October 30.

Where ZIP 37048 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 7
First frostOct 30
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 Cottontown, 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 Cottontown, TN

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostApril 7median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsApril 23only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 30median — 10% chance by Oct 16
Growing season206 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 28 and returns around November 8.

From the NOAA station White House, TN — 4 miles away, elevation 820 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 37048

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Feb 24 – Mar 10
SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 24 – Mar 17
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 27 – Feb 10
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 17 – Mar 31
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 10 – Mar 24
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 17 – Mar 31
LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 10 – Mar 24
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 17 – Mar 31
TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 10 – Feb 24
TomatoesTransplant · Apr 14 – Apr 28
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 27 – Feb 10
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 21 – May 5
BeansSow outdoors · Apr 14 – Apr 28
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 14 – Apr 28
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 14 – Apr 28
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 4 – Sep 18
GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 16 – Nov 20
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 7) and first fall frost (Oct 30) 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 37048 came on Feb 26 — 3 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 1).

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.

Trees 82

American basswood100 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −46 °FAmerican beech80 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −44 °FAmerican chestnut115 ft · blooms early summer · high shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican elm120 ft · blooms early spring · medium shade tolerance · to −46 °FAmerican sycamore100 ft · blooms spring · medium shade tolerance · to −34 °Farborvitae50 ft · blooms mid spring · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °F

Shrubs 116

alderleaf buckthorn3 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −33 °FAllegheny serviceberry35 ft · blooms early spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °Falternateleaf dogwood25 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −47 °FAmerican beautyberry6 ft · blooms early summer · medium shade tolerance · to −8 °FAmerican hazelnut10 ft · blooms spring · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican holly40 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −20 °F

Wildflowers & perennials 184

American bur-reed3 ft · blooms indeterminate · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican eelgrass1 ft · blooms mid summer · high shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican lotus3 ft · blooms mid summer · high shade tolerance · to −36 °FAmerican pokeweed7 ft · blooms mid summer · low shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican speedwell0.8 ft · blooms mid summer · low shade tolerance · to −38 °FAmerican spongeplant0.5 ft · blooms mid spring · high shade tolerance · to −24 °F

Grasses 157

American cupscale3 ft · blooms early summer · high shade tolerance · to −18 °Fautumn bluegrass1.5 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −8 °Fawlfruit sedge4 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °FBailey's sedge2.1 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −33 °Fbig bluestem6 ft · blooms summer · high shade tolerance · to −46 °Fbluejoint5 ft · blooms late spring · high shade tolerance · to −33 °F

Vines 14

American bittersweet15 ft · blooms spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °FAmerican wisteria50 ft · blooms spring · low shade tolerance · to −3 °Fcatbird grape30 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −13 °Fcupseed30 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −3 °Fdevil's darning needles15 ft · blooms mid summer · medium shade tolerance · to −38 °Ffrost grape83 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −23 °F

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 Cottontown, TN.

Soil in Cottontown, TN

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 37048 is Mountview — silt loam, moderately well drained.

TextureSilt loama good balance for most vegetables
pH5.9moderately acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageModerately well drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter2%moderate
Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly
Farmland classprime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Mountview silt loam, 2 to 5 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 37048; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Cottontown, TN

Summer high89 °Faverage high, July
Winter low27 °Faverage low, January
Hot days38days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights82nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days4,459base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day14 h 39 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 40 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growIntermediateday-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully
Precipitation54.4 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°100°32 °FJanuary: average high 46 °F, low 27 °F 46°27° JanFebruary: average high 50 °F, low 29 °F 50°29° FebMarch: average high 59 °F, low 37 °F 59°37° MarApril: average high 70 °F, low 47 °F 70°47° AprMay: average high 78 °F, low 56 °F 78°56° MayJune: average high 85 °F, low 64 °F 85°64° JunJuly: average high 89 °F, low 68 °F 89°68° JulAugust: average high 88 °F, low 66 °F 88°66° AugSeptember: average high 82 °F, low 59 °F 82°59° SepOctober: average high 72 °F, low 48 °F 72°48° OctNovember: average high 59 °F, low 37 °F 59°37° NovDecember: average high 49 °F, low 31 °F 49°31° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″5″6″January: 4.25 in precipitation 4.3 JanFebruary: 4.53 in precipitation 4.5 FebMarch: 4.93 in precipitation 4.9 MarApril: 5.34 in precipitation 5.3 AprMay: 5.73 in precipitation 5.7 MayJune: 4.27 in precipitation 4.3 JunJuly: 4.77 in precipitation 4.8 JulAugust: 3.97 in precipitation 4.0 AugSeptember: 3.89 in precipitation 3.9 SepOctober: 3.78 in precipitation 3.8 OctNovember: 4.11 in precipitation 4.1 NovDecember: 4.78 in precipitation 4.8 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: White House, TN (4 mi away); precipitation: White House, TN (4 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

3 of the 8 nearest ZIP codes are in a different zone — elevation and distance from water change winter lows quickly.

371887a
White House, TN · 5 mi
370497b
Cross Plains, TN · 7 mi
371487b
Portland, TN · 8 mi
370667b
Gallatin, TN · 10 mi
371197b
Mitchellville, TN · 10 mi
370757b
Hendersonville, TN · 10 mi
371417a
Orlinda, TN · 10 mi
371527a
Ridgetop, TN · 12 mi

Tennessee planting zones →

Questions about 37048

What planting zone is ZIP code 37048?

ZIP code 37048 (Cottontown, 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 Cottontown, TN?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 37048 is April 7; after April 23 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, White House station.

When is the first frost in Cottontown, TN?

The median first fall frost near 37048 is October 30, giving a median frost-free growing season of 206 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 37048?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 10 – Feb 24 and set transplants outside around Apr 14 – Apr 28, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 37048 get?

About 54.4 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, White House station).

How hot do summers get in Cottontown, TN?

The average high peaks at 89 °F in July, with about 38 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 37048 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Mountview at the center of ZIP 37048: silt loam, moderately well drained, pH about 5.9 (moderately acidic).

Did spring come early in Cottontown, TN in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 37048 came on Feb 26 in 2026, 3 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 1), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Cottontown, TN?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 37048 is 14 h 39 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 37048 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 37048 in zone 7a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 7b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.