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

Planting zone for 37162 — Shelbyville, TN

ZIP code 37162 (Shelbyville, Bedford 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 29.

Where ZIP 37162 is

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 29

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 Shelbyville, 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 Shelbyville, 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 29median — 10% chance by Oct 16

Growing season204 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 27 and returns around November 6.

From the NOAA station Shelbyville Water Dept, TN — 2 miles away, elevation 761 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 37162

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 3 – Sep 17

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 15 – Nov 19

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 7) and first fall frost (Oct 29) 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 37162 came on Feb 20 — 3 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 23).

average
Feb 232026
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 Shelbyville, TN.

Soil in Shelbyville, TN

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 37162 is Mimosa — silt loam, well drained.

TextureSilt loama good balance for most vegetables

pH5.6moderately acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter1.5%low — add compost

Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Mimosa silt loam, 2 to 5 percent slopes, eroded.

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 37162; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Shelbyville, TN

Summer high89 °Faverage high, July

Winter low29 °Faverage low, January

Hot days49days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights76nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days4,716base 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

Precipitation59.4 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall1 inper year; 1 days with snow on the ground

Average high and low, by month

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Shelbyville Water Dept, TN (2 mi away); precipitation: Shelbyville Water Dept, TN (2 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 7b.

371617b

Shelbyville, TN · 2 mi

371607b

Shelbyville, TN · 4 mi

370207b

Bell Buckle, TN · 9 mi

371837b

Wartrace, TN · 9 mi

370637b

Fosterville, TN · 10 mi

371807b

Unionville, TN · 10 mi

373607b

Normandy, TN · 12 mi

370377b

Christiana, TN · 14 mi

All 3 ZIP codes in Shelbyville → · Tennessee planting zones →

Questions about 37162

What planting zone is ZIP code 37162?

ZIP code 37162 (Shelbyville, 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 Shelbyville, TN?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 37162 is April 7; after April 23 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Shelbyville Water Dept station.

When is the first frost in Shelbyville, TN?

The median first fall frost near 37162 is October 29, giving a median frost-free growing season of 204 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 37162?

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 37162 get?

About 59.4 inches of precipitation a year and 1 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Shelbyville Water Dept station).

How hot do summers get in Shelbyville, TN?

The average high peaks at 89 °F in July, with about 49 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 37162 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Mimosa at the center of ZIP 37162: silt loam, well drained, pH about 5.6 (moderately acidic).

Did spring come early in Shelbyville, TN in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 37162 came on Feb 20 in 2026, 3 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 23), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Shelbyville, TN?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 37162 is 14 h 34 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 37162 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 37162 in zone 7a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 7b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.