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

Planting zone for 38459 — Frankewing, TN

ZIP code 38459 (Frankewing, Giles County) is in USDA zone 7b: the coldest winter night averages 5 to 10 °F. The median last spring frost is April 14 and the first fall frost October 24.

Where ZIP 38459 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 14
First frostOct 24
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 Frankewing, 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 Frankewing, TN

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostApril 14median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsApril 28only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 24median — 10% chance by Oct 12
Growing season193 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 2 and returns around November 1.

From the NOAA station Pulaski Wwtp, TN — 14 miles away, elevation 643 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 38459

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Mar 3 – Mar 17
SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 3 – Mar 24
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 3 – Feb 17
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 24 – Apr 7
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 17 – Mar 31
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 24 – Apr 7
LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 17 – Mar 31
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 24 – Apr 7
TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 17 – Mar 3
TomatoesTransplant · Apr 21 – May 5
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 3 – Feb 17
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 28 – May 12
BeansSow outdoors · Apr 21 – May 5
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 21 – May 5
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 21 – May 5
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 29 – Sep 12
GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 10 – Nov 14
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 14) and first fall frost (Oct 24) 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 38459 came on Feb 21 — about the same time as the 1991–2020 average (Feb 23).

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).

Soil in Frankewing, TN

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 38459 is Agee — silty clay loam, poorly drained.

TextureSilty clay loamholds water and nutrients; slow to drain and warm up
pH6.7neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainagePoorly drainedconsider raised beds
Organic matter3%moderate
Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Agee silty clay loam, rarely flooded.

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 38459; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Frankewing, TN

Summer high88 °Faverage high, July
Winter low25 °Faverage low, January
Hot days38days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights90nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days4,152base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day14 h 32 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 47 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growIntermediateday-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully
Precipitation59.6 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

10°20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°100°32 °FJanuary: average high 48 °F, low 25 °F 48°25° JanFebruary: average high 53 °F, low 28 °F 53°28° FebMarch: average high 61 °F, low 35 °F 61°35° MarApril: average high 71 °F, low 43 °F 71°43° AprMay: average high 78 °F, low 53 °F 78°53° MayJune: average high 85 °F, low 61 °F 85°61° JunJuly: average high 88 °F, low 66 °F 88°66° JulAugust: average high 88 °F, low 64 °F 88°64° AugSeptember: average high 83 °F, low 56 °F 83°56° SepOctober: average high 73 °F, low 44 °F 73°44° OctNovember: average high 61 °F, low 33 °F 61°33° NovDecember: average high 51 °F, low 28 °F 51°28° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″2″4″6″January: 5.02 in precipitation 5.0 JanFebruary: 5.23 in precipitation 5.2 FebMarch: 5.89 in precipitation 5.9 MarApril: 5.16 in precipitation 5.2 AprMay: 5.25 in precipitation 5.3 MayJune: 5.00 in precipitation 5.0 JunJuly: 5.15 in precipitation 5.2 JulAugust: 4.46 in precipitation 4.5 AugSeptember: 3.98 in precipitation 4.0 SepOctober: 4.02 in precipitation 4.0 OctNovember: 4.19 in precipitation 4.2 NovDecember: 6.30 in precipitation 6.3 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Pulaski Wwtp, TN (14 mi away); precipitation: Fayetteville 7.9 Wnw, TN (2 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 7b.

384537b
Dellrose, TN · 5 mi
370477b
Cornersville, TN · 9 mi
384557b
Elkton, TN · 10 mi
384497b
Ardmore, TN · 10 mi
371447b
Petersburg, TN · 11 mi
384787b
Pulaski, TN · 12 mi
373347b
Fayetteville, TN · 13 mi
384887b
Taft, TN · 13 mi

Tennessee planting zones →

Questions about 38459

What planting zone is ZIP code 38459?

ZIP code 38459 (Frankewing, 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 Frankewing, TN?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 38459 is April 14; after April 28 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Pulaski Wwtp station.

When is the first frost in Frankewing, TN?

The median first fall frost near 38459 is October 24, giving a median frost-free growing season of 193 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 38459?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 17 – Mar 3 and set transplants outside around Apr 21 – May 5, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 38459 get?

About 59.6 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Fayetteville 7.9 Wnw station).

How hot do summers get in Frankewing, TN?

The average high peaks at 88 °F in July, with about 38 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 38459 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Agee at the center of ZIP 38459: silty clay loam, poorly drained, pH about 6.7 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Frankewing, TN in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 38459 came on Feb 21 in 2026, about the same as the 1991–2020 average (Feb 23), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Frankewing, TN?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 38459 is 14 h 32 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 38459 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 38459 in zone 7a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 7b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.