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

Planting zone for 37204 — Nashville, TN

ZIP code 37204 (Nashville, Davidson County) is in USDA zone 7b: the coldest winter night averages 5 to 10 °F. The median last spring frost is March 31 and the first fall frost November 3.

Where ZIP 37204 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 frostMar 31
First frostNov 3
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 Nashville, 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 Nashville, TN

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMarch 31median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsApril 16only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostNovember 3median — 10% chance by Oct 22
Growing season217 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 17 and returns around November 15.

From the NOAA station Nashville Intl Airport, TN — 5 miles away, elevation 600 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 37204

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Feb 17 – Mar 3
SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 17 – Mar 10
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 20 – Feb 3
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 10 – Mar 24
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 3 – Mar 17
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 10 – Mar 24
LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 3 – Mar 17
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 10 – Mar 24
TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 3 – Feb 17
TomatoesTransplant · Apr 7 – Apr 21
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 20 – Feb 3
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 14 – Apr 28
BeansSow outdoors · Apr 7 – Apr 21
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 7 – Apr 21
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 7 – Apr 21
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 8 – Sep 22
GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 20 – Nov 24
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Mar 31) and first fall frost (Nov 3) 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 37204 came on Feb 20 — 4 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 24).

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 Nashville, TN.

Soil in Nashville, TN

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 37204 is Lindell — silt loam, moderately well drained.

TextureSilt loama good balance for most vegetables
pH6.5neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageModerately well drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter2%moderate
Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Lindell-Urban land complex.

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 37204; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Nashville, TN

Summer high91 °Faverage high, July
Winter low30 °Faverage low, January
Hot days54days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights66nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days5,082base 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
Precipitation52.7 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 49 °F, low 30 °F 49°30° JanFebruary: average high 54 °F, low 33 °F 54°33° FebMarch: average high 63 °F, low 40 °F 63°40° MarApril: average high 73 °F, low 49 °F 73°49° AprMay: average high 80 °F, low 58 °F 80°58° MayJune: average high 88 °F, low 66 °F 88°66° JunJuly: average high 91 °F, low 71 °F 91°71° JulAugust: average high 90 °F, low 69 °F 90°69° AugSeptember: average high 84 °F, low 62 °F 84°62° SepOctober: average high 74 °F, low 50 °F 74°50° OctNovember: average high 61 °F, low 39 °F 61°39° NovDecember: average high 52 °F, low 33 °F 52°33° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″5″6″January: 4.26 in precipitation 4.3 JanFebruary: 4.57 in precipitation 4.6 FebMarch: 4.67 in precipitation 4.7 MarApril: 5.04 in precipitation 5.0 AprMay: 5.28 in precipitation 5.3 MayJune: 3.93 in precipitation 3.9 JunJuly: 3.96 in precipitation 4.0 JulAugust: 4.54 in precipitation 4.5 AugSeptember: 4.42 in precipitation 4.4 SepOctober: 3.40 in precipitation 3.4 OctNovember: 3.78 in precipitation 3.8 NovDecember: 4.89 in precipitation 4.9 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Nashville Intl Airport, TN (5 mi away); precipitation: Nashville 5.2 S, TN (within 1 mile). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 7b.

372127b
Nashville, TN · 2 mi
372207b
Nashville, TN · 3 mi
372037b
Nashville, TN · 3 mi
372467b
Nashville, TN · 4 mi
372107b
Nashville, TN · 4 mi
372157b
Nashville, TN · 4 mi
372117b
Nashville, TN · 4 mi
372387b
Nashville, TN · 4 mi

All 36 ZIP codes in Nashville → · Tennessee planting zones →

Questions about 37204

What planting zone is ZIP code 37204?

ZIP code 37204 (Nashville, 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 Nashville, TN?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 37204 is March 31; after April 16 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Nashville Intl Airport station.

When is the first frost in Nashville, TN?

The median first fall frost near 37204 is November 3, giving a median frost-free growing season of 217 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 37204?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 3 – Feb 17 and set transplants outside around Apr 7 – Apr 21, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 37204 get?

About 52.7 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Nashville 5.2 S station).

How hot do summers get in Nashville, TN?

The average high peaks at 91 °F in July, with about 54 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 37204 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Lindell at the center of ZIP 37204: silt loam, moderately well drained, pH about 6.5 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Nashville, TN in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 37204 came on Feb 20 in 2026, 4 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 24), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Nashville, TN?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 37204 is 14 h 37 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 37204 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 37204 in zone 7a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 7b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.