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

Planting zone for 38037 — Gates, TN

ZIP code 38037 (Gates, Lauderdale County) is in USDA zone 7b: the coldest winter night averages 5 to 10 °F. The median last spring frost is March 26 and the first fall frost November 6.

Where ZIP 38037 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 26

First frostNov 6

2012 zone7b

Same zone as on the 2012 map. 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 Gates, 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 Gates, TN

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMarch 26median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsApril 14only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostNovember 6median — 10% chance by Oct 25

Growing season227 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 14 and returns around November 18.

From the NOAA station Ripley, TN — 8 miles away, elevation 400 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 38037

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Feb 12 – Feb 26

SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 12 – Mar 5

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 15 – Jan 29

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 5 – Mar 19

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Feb 26 – Mar 12

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 5 – Mar 19

LettuceSow outdoors · Feb 26 – Mar 12

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 5 – Mar 19

TomatoesStart indoors · Jan 29 – Feb 12

TomatoesTransplant · Apr 2 – Apr 16

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 15 – Jan 29

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 9 – Apr 23

BeansSow outdoors · Apr 2 – Apr 16

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 2 – Apr 16

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 2 – Apr 16

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 26) 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 38037 came on Feb 20 — about the same time as the 1991–2020 average (Feb 22).

average
Feb 222026
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 Gates, TN.

Soil in Gates, TN

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 38037 is Memphis — silt loam, well drained.

TextureSilt loama good balance for most vegetables

pH5.8moderately acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter1.5%low — add compost

Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately

Farmland classprime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Memphis silt loam, 2 to 5 percent slopes, moderately eroded, northern phase.

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 38037; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Gates, TN

Summer high90 °Faverage high, July

Winter low29 °Faverage low, January

Hot days47days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights69nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days4,933base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 35 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 44 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation56.8 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall2 inper year; 1 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: Ripley, TN (8 mi away); precipitation: Ripley, TN (8 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.

380408a

Halls, TN · 7 mi

380507b

Maury City, TN · 10 mi

380347b

Friendship, TN · 12 mi

380707b

Tigrett, TN · 13 mi

380217b

Crockett Mills, TN · 13 mi

Brownsville, TN · 15 mi

Tennessee planting zones →

Questions about 38037

What planting zone is ZIP code 38037?

ZIP code 38037 (Gates, 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 Gates, TN?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 38037 is March 26; after April 14 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Ripley station.

When is the first frost in Gates, TN?

The median first fall frost near 38037 is November 6, giving a median frost-free growing season of 227 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 38037?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Jan 29 – Feb 12 and set transplants outside around Apr 2 – Apr 16, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 38037 get?

About 56.8 inches of precipitation a year and 2 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Ripley station).

How hot do summers get in Gates, TN?

The average high peaks at 90 °F in July, with about 47 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 38037 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Memphis at the center of ZIP 38037: silt loam, well drained, pH about 5.8 (moderately acidic).

Did spring come early in Gates, TN in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 38037 came on Feb 20 in 2026, about the same as the 1991–2020 average (Feb 22), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Gates, TN?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 38037 is 14 h 35 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.