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

Planting zone for 37302 — Apison, TN

ZIP code 37302 (Apison, Hamilton County) is in USDA zone 8a: the coldest winter night averages 10 to 15 °F. The median last spring frost is March 24 and the first fall frost November 9.

Where ZIP 37302 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.

Zone8a10 to 15 °F
Coldest night−12.2 to −9.4 °C
Last frostMar 24
First frostNov 9
2012 zone7b

Was 7b 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 8a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Apison, 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 Apison, TN

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMarch 24median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsApril 8only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostNovember 9median — 10% chance by Oct 27
Growing season230 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 11 and returns around November 22.

From the NOAA station Chattanooga Lovell Airport, TN — 10 miles away, elevation 673 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 37302

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Feb 10 – Feb 24
SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 10 – Mar 3
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 13 – Jan 27
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 3 – Mar 17
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Feb 24 – Mar 10
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 3 – Mar 17
LettuceSow outdoors · Feb 24 – Mar 10
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 3 – Mar 17
TomatoesStart indoors · Jan 27 – Feb 10
TomatoesTransplant · Mar 31 – Apr 14
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 13 – Jan 27
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 7 – Apr 21
BeansSow outdoors · Mar 31 – Apr 14
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Mar 31 – Apr 14
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Mar 31 – Apr 14
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 14 – Sep 28
GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 26 – Nov 30
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Mar 24) and first fall frost (Nov 9) 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 37302 came on Feb 20 — about the same time as the 1991–2020 average (Feb 19).

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).

Soil in Apison, TN

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 37302 is Armuchee — silt loam, well drained.

TextureSilt loama good balance for most vegetables
pH5.0strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter1.25%low — add compost
Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Armuchee silt loam, 10 to 25 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 37302; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Apison, TN

Summer high91 °Faverage high, July
Winter low32 °Faverage low, January
Hot days58days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights56nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days5,216base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day14 h 31 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 48 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growIntermediateday-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully
Precipitation59.9 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 51 °F, low 32 °F 51°32° JanFebruary: average high 56 °F, low 36 °F 56°36° FebMarch: average high 64 °F, low 42 °F 64°42° MarApril: average high 74 °F, low 50 °F 74°50° AprMay: average high 81 °F, low 59 °F 81°59° MayJune: average high 88 °F, low 67 °F 88°67° JunJuly: average high 91 °F, low 71 °F 91°71° JulAugust: average high 90 °F, low 70 °F 90°70° AugSeptember: average high 84 °F, low 64 °F 84°64° SepOctober: average high 74 °F, low 51 °F 74°51° OctNovember: average high 62 °F, low 40 °F 62°40° NovDecember: average high 53 °F, low 35 °F 53°35° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″5″6″January: 5.05 in precipitation 5.0 JanFebruary: 5.21 in precipitation 5.2 FebMarch: 5.67 in precipitation 5.7 MarApril: 5.30 in precipitation 5.3 AprMay: 4.61 in precipitation 4.6 MayJune: 4.72 in precipitation 4.7 JunJuly: 5.56 in precipitation 5.6 JulAugust: 4.36 in precipitation 4.4 AugSeptember: 4.77 in precipitation 4.8 SepOctober: 3.72 in precipitation 3.7 OctNovember: 5.01 in precipitation 5.0 NovDecember: 5.88 in precipitation 5.9 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Chattanooga Lovell Airport, TN (10 mi away); precipitation: Ooltewah 2.0 S, TN (4 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

373158a
Collegedale, TN · 3 mi
307268a
Graysville, GA · 7 mi
374218a
Chattanooga, TN · 8 mi
373638a
Ooltewah, TN · 8 mi
373538a
Mc Donald, TN · 8 mi
307108a
Cohutta, GA · 8 mi
373117b
Cleveland, TN · 8 mi
307568a
Varnell, GA · 8 mi

Tennessee planting zones →

Questions about 37302

What planting zone is ZIP code 37302?

ZIP code 37302 (Apison, TN) is in USDA hardiness zone 8a on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches 10 to 15 °F (−12.2 to −9.4 °C).

When is the last frost in Apison, TN?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 37302 is March 24; after April 8 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Chattanooga Lovell Airport station.

When is the first frost in Apison, TN?

The median first fall frost near 37302 is November 9, giving a median frost-free growing season of 230 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 37302?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Jan 27 – Feb 10 and set transplants outside around Mar 31 – Apr 14, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 37302 get?

About 59.9 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Ooltewah 2.0 S station).

How hot do summers get in Apison, TN?

The average high peaks at 91 °F in July, with about 58 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 37302 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Armuchee at the center of ZIP 37302: silt loam, well drained, pH about 5.0 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Apison, TN in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 37302 came on Feb 20 in 2026, about the same as the 1991–2020 average (Feb 19), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Apison, TN?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 37302 is 14 h 31 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 37302 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 37302 in zone 7b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 8a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.