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

Planting zone for 37396 — Whiteside, TN

ZIP code 37396 (Whiteside, Marion 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 6.

Where ZIP 37396 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 6

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 Whiteside, 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 Whiteside, 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 18only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostNovember 6median — 10% chance by Oct 24

Growing season219 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 21 and returns around November 17.

From the NOAA station Lookout Mtn-Point Park, TN — 9 miles away, elevation 2,110 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 37396

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 11 – Sep 25

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 23 – Nov 27

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Mar 31) and first fall frost (Nov 6) 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 37396 came on Feb 20 — 4 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 24).

average
Feb 242026
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 Whiteside, TN.

Soil in Whiteside, TN

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 37396 is Ramsey — stony fine sandy loam, somewhat excessively drained.

TextureStony fine sandy loamdrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding

pH5.0strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageSomewhat excessively drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter2%moderate

Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Ramsey stony fine sandy loam, 25 to 60 percent slopes, stony.

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 37396; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Whiteside, TN

Summer high84 °Faverage high, July

Winter low29 °Faverage low, January

Hot days7days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights69nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days4,113base 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

Precipitation58.6 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: Lookout Mtn-Point Park, TN (9 mi away); precipitation: Lookout Mtn-Point Park, TN (9 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

Chattanooga, TN · 6 mi

Lookout Mountain, GA · 8 mi

373507b

Lookout Mountain, TN · 9 mi

374098a

Chattanooga, TN · 10 mi

Tennessee planting zones →

Questions about 37396

What planting zone is ZIP code 37396?

ZIP code 37396 (Whiteside, 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 Whiteside, TN?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 37396 is March 31; after April 18 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Lookout Mtn-Point Park station.

When is the first frost in Whiteside, TN?

The median first fall frost near 37396 is November 6, giving a median frost-free growing season of 219 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 37396?

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 37396 get?

About 58.6 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Lookout Mtn-Point Park station).

How hot do summers get in Whiteside, TN?

The average high peaks at 84 °F in July, with about 7 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 37396 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Ramsey at the center of ZIP 37396: stony fine sandy loam, somewhat excessively drained, pH about 5.0 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Whiteside, TN in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 37396 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 Whiteside, TN?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 37396 is 14 h 31 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 37396 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 37396 in zone 7a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 7b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.