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

Planting zone for 38313 — Beech Bluff, TN

ZIP code 38313 (Beech Bluff, Madison County) is in USDA zone 7b: the coldest winter night averages 5 to 10 °F. The median last spring frost is April 2 and the first fall frost October 29.

Where ZIP 38313 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 2

First frostOct 29

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 Beech Bluff, 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 Beech Bluff, TN

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostApril 2median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsApril 18only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 29median — 10% chance by Oct 16

Growing season207 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 22 and returns around November 7.

From the NOAA station Jackson Exp Stn, TN — 12 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 38313

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Feb 19 – Mar 5

SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 19 – Mar 12

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 22 – Feb 5

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 12 – Mar 26

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 5 – Mar 19

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 12 – Mar 26

LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 5 – Mar 19

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 12 – Mar 26

TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 5 – Feb 19

TomatoesTransplant · Apr 9 – Apr 23

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 22 – Feb 5

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 16 – Apr 30

BeansSow outdoors · Apr 9 – Apr 23

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 9 – Apr 23

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 9 – Apr 23

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 3 – Sep 17

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 15 – Nov 19

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 2) and first fall frost (Oct 29) 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 38313 came on Feb 20 — 3 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 23).

average
Feb 232026
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 Beech Bluff, TN.

Soil in Beech Bluff, TN

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 38313 is Waverly — silt loam, poorly drained.

TextureSilt loama good balance for most vegetables

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

DrainagePoorly drainedconsider raised beds

Organic matter2%moderate

Hydrologic groupB/Dmoderate when drained; wet otherwise

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Waverly silt loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes, frequently flooded, very long.

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 38313; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Beech Bluff, TN

Summer high91 °Faverage high, July

Winter low27 °Faverage low, January

Hot days56days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights71nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days4,912base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 34 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 45 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation55.1 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: Jackson Exp Stn, TN (12 mi away); precipitation: Jackson 5.6 Ne, TN (11 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 7b.

Spring Creek, TN · 11 mi

383477b

Jacks Creek, TN · 11 mi

Tennessee planting zones →

Questions about 38313

What planting zone is ZIP code 38313?

ZIP code 38313 (Beech Bluff, 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 Beech Bluff, TN?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 38313 is April 2; after April 18 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Jackson Exp Stn station.

When is the first frost in Beech Bluff, TN?

The median first fall frost near 38313 is October 29, giving a median frost-free growing season of 207 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 38313?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 5 – Feb 19 and set transplants outside around Apr 9 – Apr 23, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 38313 get?

About 55.1 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Jackson 5.6 Ne station).

How hot do summers get in Beech Bluff, TN?

The average high peaks at 91 °F in July, with about 56 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 38313 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Waverly at the center of ZIP 38313: silt loam, poorly drained, pH about 5.0 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Beech Bluff, TN in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 38313 came on Feb 20 in 2026, 3 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 23), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Beech Bluff, TN?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 38313 is 14 h 34 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.