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

Planting zone for 37303 — Athens, TN

ZIP code 37303 (Athens, McMinn County) is in USDA zone 7b: the coldest winter night averages 5 to 10 °F. The median last spring frost is April 6 and the first fall frost October 31.

Where ZIP 37303 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 6

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 Athens, 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 Athens, TN

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostApril 6median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsApril 24only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 31median — 10% chance by Oct 20

Growing season208 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 27 and returns around November 10.

From the NOAA station Athens, TN — 3 miles away, elevation 942 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 37303

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Feb 23 – Mar 9

SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 23 – Mar 16

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 26 – Feb 9

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 16 – Mar 30

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 9 – Mar 23

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 16 – Mar 30

LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 9 – Mar 23

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 16 – Mar 30

TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 9 – Feb 23

TomatoesTransplant · Apr 13 – Apr 27

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 26 – Feb 9

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 20 – May 4

BeansSow outdoors · Apr 13 – Apr 27

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 13 – Apr 27

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 13 – Apr 27

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 6) 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 37303 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 Athens, TN.

Soil in Athens, TN

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 37303 is Fullerton — gravelly silt loam, well drained.

TextureGravelly silt 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 groupBwater soaks in moderately

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Fullerton-Urban land complex, 2 to 12 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 37303; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Athens, TN

Summer high88 °Faverage high, July

Winter low28 °Faverage low, January

Hot days39days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights85nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days4,495base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 33 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 46 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation60.4 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall4 inper year; 2 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: Athens, TN (3 mi away); precipitation: Athens, TN (3 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 7b.

Englewood, TN · 11 mi

All 2 ZIP codes in Athens → · Tennessee planting zones →

Questions about 37303

What planting zone is ZIP code 37303?

ZIP code 37303 (Athens, 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 Athens, TN?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 37303 is April 6; after April 24 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Athens station.

When is the first frost in Athens, TN?

The median first fall frost near 37303 is October 31, giving a median frost-free growing season of 208 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 37303?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 9 – Feb 23 and set transplants outside around Apr 13 – Apr 27, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 37303 get?

About 60.4 inches of precipitation a year and 4 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Athens station).

How hot do summers get in Athens, TN?

The average high peaks at 88 °F in July, with about 39 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 37303 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Fullerton at the center of ZIP 37303: gravelly silt loam, well drained, pH about 5.0 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Athens, TN in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 37303 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 Athens, TN?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 37303 is 14 h 33 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 37303 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 37303 in zone 7a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 7b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.