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

Planting zone for 38328 — Darden, TN

ZIP code 38328 (Darden, Henderson County) is in USDA zone 7b: the coldest winter night averages 5 to 10 °F. The median last spring frost is April 5 and the first fall frost October 29.

Where ZIP 38328 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 5

First frostOct 29

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 Darden, 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 Darden, TN

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostApril 5median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsApril 20only 10% chance of frost after

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

Growing season208 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 20 and returns around November 8.

From the NOAA station Parsons Wtp, TN — 6 miles away, elevation 410 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 38328

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Feb 22 – Mar 8

SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 22 – Mar 15

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 25 – Feb 8

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 15 – Mar 29

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 8 – Mar 22

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 15 – Mar 29

LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 8 – Mar 22

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 15 – Mar 29

TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 8 – Feb 22

TomatoesTransplant · Apr 12 – Apr 26

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 25 – Feb 8

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 19 – May 3

BeansSow outdoors · Apr 12 – Apr 26

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 12 – Apr 26

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 12 – Apr 26

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 5) 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 38328 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 Darden, TN.

Soil in Darden, TN

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 38328 is Freeland — silt loam, moderately well drained.

TextureSilt loama good balance for most vegetables

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

DrainageModerately well drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter1.25%low — add compost

Hydrologic groupC/Dslow when drained; wet otherwise

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Freeland silt loam, severely eroded sloping 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 38328; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Darden, TN

Summer high91 °Faverage high, July

Winter low28 °Faverage low, January

Hot days64days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights86nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days4,892base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 34 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

Precipitation57.1 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall2 inper year; 2 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: Parsons Wtp, TN (6 mi away); precipitation: Parsons Wtp, TN (6 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 7b.

383637b

Parsons, TN · 6 mi

383887b

Wildersville, TN · 10 mi

383747b

Scotts Hill, TN · 10 mi

383297b

Decaturville, TN · 11 mi

383517b

Lexington, TN · 11 mi

383807b

Sugar Tree, TN · 12 mi

Tennessee planting zones →

Questions about 38328

What planting zone is ZIP code 38328?

ZIP code 38328 (Darden, 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 Darden, TN?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 38328 is April 5; after April 20 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Parsons Wtp station.

When is the first frost in Darden, TN?

The median first fall frost near 38328 is October 29, giving a median frost-free growing season of 208 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 38328?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 8 – Feb 22 and set transplants outside around Apr 12 – Apr 26, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 38328 get?

About 57.1 inches of precipitation a year and 2 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Parsons Wtp station).

How hot do summers get in Darden, TN?

The average high peaks at 91 °F in July, with about 64 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 38328 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Freeland at the center of ZIP 38328: silt loam, moderately well drained, pH about 5.8 (moderately acidic).

Did spring come early in Darden, TN in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 38328 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 Darden, TN?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 38328 is 14 h 34 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 38328 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 38328 in zone 7a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 7b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.