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

Planting zone for 38125 — Memphis, TN

ZIP code 38125 (Memphis, Shelby County) is in USDA zone 8a: the coldest winter night averages 10 to 15 °F. The median last spring frost is March 22 and the first fall frost November 7.

Where ZIP 38125 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 22

First frostNov 7

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 Memphis, 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 Memphis, TN

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMarch 22median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsApril 9only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostNovember 7median — 10% chance by Oct 26

Growing season230 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 8 and returns around November 18.

From the NOAA station Germantown 4se, TN — 4 miles away, elevation 322 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 38125

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Feb 8 – Feb 22

SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 8 – Mar 1

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 11 – Jan 25

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 1 – Mar 15

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Feb 22 – Mar 8

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 1 – Mar 15

LettuceSow outdoors · Feb 22 – Mar 8

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 1 – Mar 15

TomatoesStart indoors · Jan 25 – Feb 8

TomatoesTransplant · Mar 29 – Apr 12

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 11 – Jan 25

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 5 – Apr 19

BeansSow outdoors · Mar 29 – Apr 12

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Mar 29 – Apr 12

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Mar 29 – Apr 12

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 12 – Sep 26

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 24 – Nov 28

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Mar 22) and first fall frost (Nov 7) 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 38125 came on Feb 14 — 5 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 19).

average
Feb 192026
Feb 14

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 8a in Tennessee

575 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in Tennessee, and rated by the USDA to survive 10 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 8a. 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 Memphis, TN.

Soil in Memphis, TN

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 38125 is Falaya — silt loam, somewhat poorly drained.

TextureSilt loama good balance for most vegetables

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

DrainageSomewhat poorly drainedconsider raised beds

Organic matter2%moderate

Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly

Farmland classprime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Falaya silt loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes, frequently flooded, very brief.

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 38125; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Memphis, TN

Summer high92 °Faverage high, July

Winter low31 °Faverage low, January

Hot days78days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights66nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days5,470base 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

Precipitation57.8 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: Germantown 4se, TN (4 mi away); precipitation: Memphis 12.0 Se, TN (3 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 8a.

381418a

Memphis, TN · 4 mi

381388a

Germantown, TN · 4 mi

381398a

Germantown, TN · 4 mi

Olive Branch, MS · 7 mi

380278a

Collierville, TN · 7 mi

381208a

Memphis, TN · 8 mi

All 60 ZIP codes in Memphis → · Tennessee planting zones →

Questions about 38125

What planting zone is ZIP code 38125?

ZIP code 38125 (Memphis, 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 Memphis, TN?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 38125 is March 22; after April 9 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Germantown 4se station.

When is the first frost in Memphis, TN?

The median first fall frost near 38125 is November 7, giving a median frost-free growing season of 230 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 38125?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Jan 25 – Feb 8 and set transplants outside around Mar 29 – Apr 12, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 38125 get?

About 57.8 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Memphis 12.0 Se station).

How hot do summers get in Memphis, TN?

The average high peaks at 92 °F in July, with about 78 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 38125 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Falaya at the center of ZIP 38125: silt loam, somewhat poorly drained, pH about 5.0 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Memphis, TN in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 38125 came on Feb 14 in 2026, 5 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 19), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Memphis, TN?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 38125 is 14 h 31 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 38125 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 38125 in zone 7b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 8a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.