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

Planting zone for 37724 — Cumberland Gap, TN

ZIP code 37724 (Cumberland Gap, Claiborne County) is in USDA zone 7a: the coldest winter night averages 0 to 5 °F. The median last spring frost is April 23 and the first fall frost October 19.

Where ZIP 37724 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.

Zone7a0 to 5 °F
Coldest night−17.8 to −15 °C
Last frostApr 23
First frostOct 19
2012 zone6b

Was 6b 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 7a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Cumberland Gap, 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 Cumberland Gap, TN

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostApril 23median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMay 11only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 19median — 10% chance by Oct 8
Growing season177 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 10 and returns around October 28.

From the NOAA station Tazewell, TN — 10 miles away, elevation 1,365 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 37724

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Mar 12 – Mar 26
SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 12 – Apr 2
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 12 – Feb 26
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Apr 2 – Apr 16
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 26 – Apr 9
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Apr 2 – Apr 16
LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 26 – Apr 9
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Apr 2 – Apr 16
TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 26 – Mar 12
TomatoesTransplant · Apr 30 – May 14
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 12 – Feb 26
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 7 – May 21
BeansSow outdoors · Apr 30 – May 14
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 30 – May 14
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 30 – May 14
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 24 – Sep 7
GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 5 – Nov 9
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 23) and first fall frost (Oct 19) 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 37724 came on Feb 26 — 6 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 4).

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 7a in Tennessee

560 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in Tennessee, and rated by the USDA to survive 0 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 7a. Each links to its USDA PLANTS profile.

Trees 80

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 182

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 155

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 Cumberland Gap, TN.

Soil in Cumberland Gap, TN

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 37724 is Muskingum — stony loam, well drained.

TextureStony loama good balance for most vegetables
pH5.3strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter2%moderate
Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Muskingum stony fine sandy loam (st-l).

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 37724; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Cumberland Gap, TN

Summer high85 °Faverage high, July
Winter low23 °Faverage low, January
Hot days19days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights115nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days3,464base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day14 h 40 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 40 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growIntermediateday-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully
Precipitation54.7 inper year, rain and melted snow
Snowfall8 inper year; 8 days with snow on the ground

Average high and low, by month

10°20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°100°32 °FJanuary: average high 44 °F, low 23 °F 44°23° JanFebruary: average high 48 °F, low 26 °F 48°26° FebMarch: average high 57 °F, low 32 °F 57°32° MarApril: average high 68 °F, low 40 °F 68°40° AprMay: average high 75 °F, low 50 °F 75°50° MayJune: average high 82 °F, low 59 °F 82°59° JunJuly: average high 85 °F, low 63 °F 85°63° JulAugust: average high 84 °F, low 62 °F 84°62° AugSeptember: average high 79 °F, low 55 °F 79°55° SepOctober: average high 69 °F, low 41 °F 69°41° OctNovember: average high 57 °F, low 31 °F 57°31° NovDecember: average high 47 °F, low 26 °F 47°26° Dec

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

0″1″2″3″4″5″6″January: 4.73 in precipitation, 2.6 in snowfall 4.7❄3 JanFebruary: 5.06 in precipitation, 3 in snowfall 5.1❄3 FebMarch: 5.25 in precipitation, 0.6 in snowfall 5.3❄1 MarApril: 5.30 in precipitation, 0.1 in snowfall 5.3 AprMay: 4.23 in precipitation 4.2 MayJune: 5.04 in precipitation 5.0 JunJuly: 5.24 in precipitation 5.2 JulAugust: 3.84 in precipitation 3.8 AugSeptember: 3.78 in precipitation 3.8 SepOctober: 3.08 in precipitation, 0.1 in snowfall 3.1 OctNovember: 3.81 in precipitation, 0.1 in snowfall 3.8 NovDecember: 5.32 in precipitation, 1.4 in snowfall 5.3❄1 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Tazewell, TN (10 mi away); precipitation: Tazewell, TN (10 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.

377077a
Arthur, TN · 2 mi
378677a
Shawanee, TN · 4 mi
378517b
Pruden, TN · 5 mi
409657a
Middlesboro, KY · 5 mi
378707a
Speedwell, TN · 9 mi
377527a
Harrogate, TN · 9 mi
378257a
New Tazewell, TN · 9 mi
378247a
New Tazewell, TN · 9 mi

Tennessee planting zones →

Questions about 37724

What planting zone is ZIP code 37724?

ZIP code 37724 (Cumberland Gap, TN) is in USDA hardiness zone 7a on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches 0 to 5 °F (−17.8 to −15 °C).

When is the last frost in Cumberland Gap, TN?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 37724 is April 23; after May 11 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Tazewell station.

When is the first frost in Cumberland Gap, TN?

The median first fall frost near 37724 is October 19, giving a median frost-free growing season of 177 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 37724?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 26 – Mar 12 and set transplants outside around Apr 30 – May 14, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 37724 get?

About 54.7 inches of precipitation a year and 8 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Tazewell station).

How hot do summers get in Cumberland Gap, TN?

The average high peaks at 85 °F in July, with about 19 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 37724 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Muskingum at the center of ZIP 37724: stony loam, well drained, pH about 5.3 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Cumberland Gap, TN in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 37724 came on Feb 26 in 2026, 6 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 4), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Cumberland Gap, TN?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 37724 is 14 h 40 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 37724 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 37724 in zone 6b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 7a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.