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

Planting zone for 37069 — Franklin, TN

ZIP code 37069 (Franklin, Williamson County) is in USDA zone 7b: the coldest winter night averages 5 to 10 °F. The median last spring frost is April 3 and the first fall frost October 31.

Where ZIP 37069 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 3

First frostOct 31

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 Franklin, 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 Franklin, TN

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostApril 3median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsApril 20only 10% chance of frost after

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

Growing season210 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 22 and returns around November 10.

From the NOAA station Franklin Sewage Plt, TN — 4 miles away, elevation 656 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 37069

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Feb 20 – Mar 6

SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 20 – Mar 13

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 23 – Feb 6

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 13 – Mar 27

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 6 – Mar 20

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 13 – Mar 27

LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 6 – Mar 20

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 13 – Mar 27

TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 6 – Feb 20

TomatoesTransplant · Apr 10 – Apr 24

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 23 – Feb 6

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 17 – May 1

BeansSow outdoors · Apr 10 – Apr 24

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 10 – Apr 24

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 10 – Apr 24

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 3) 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 37069 came on Feb 21 — 4 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 25).

average
Feb 252026
Feb 21

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 Franklin, TN.

Soil in Franklin, TN

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 37069 is Ashwood — silty clay loam, well drained.

TextureSilty clay loamholds water and nutrients; slow to drain and warm up

pH6.3slightly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter3.5%moderate

Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Ashwood-Mimosa-Rock outcrop complex, 5 to 15 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 37069; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Franklin, TN

Summer high91 °Faverage high, July

Winter low29 °Faverage low, January

Hot days45days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights84nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days4,769base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 36 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 43 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation54.1 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: Franklin Sewage Plt, TN (4 mi away); precipitation: Franklin 3.6 Nw, TN (within 1 mile). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 7b.

All 5 ZIP codes in Franklin → · Tennessee planting zones →

Questions about 37069

What planting zone is ZIP code 37069?

ZIP code 37069 (Franklin, 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 Franklin, TN?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 37069 is April 3; after April 20 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Franklin Sewage Plt station.

When is the first frost in Franklin, TN?

The median first fall frost near 37069 is October 31, giving a median frost-free growing season of 210 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 37069?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 6 – Feb 20 and set transplants outside around Apr 10 – Apr 24, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 37069 get?

About 54.1 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Franklin 3.6 Nw station).

How hot do summers get in Franklin, TN?

The average high peaks at 91 °F in July, with about 45 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 37069 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Ashwood at the center of ZIP 37069: silty clay loam, well drained, pH about 6.3 (slightly acidic).

Did spring come early in Franklin, TN in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 37069 came on Feb 21 in 2026, 4 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 25), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Franklin, TN?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 37069 is 14 h 36 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 37069 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 37069 in zone 7a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 7b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.