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

Planting zone for 38477 — Prospect, TN

ZIP code 38477 (Prospect, 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 38477 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 Prospect, 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 Prospect, 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 — 9 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 38477

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 38477 came on Feb 20 — about the same time as the 1991–2020 average (Feb 21).

average
Feb 212026
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 Prospect, TN.

Soil in Prospect, TN

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 38477 is Dellrose — gravelly silt loam, well drained.

TextureGravelly silt loama good balance for most vegetables

pH5.3strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter2.5%moderate

Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Dellrose gravelly silt loam, 20 to 30 percent slopes, eroded.

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 38477; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Prospect, 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 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

Precipitation58.6 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: Pulaski Wwtp, TN (9 mi away); precipitation: Pulaski Wwtp, TN (9 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 7b.

384557b

Elkton, TN · 7 mi

384607b

Goodspring, TN · 8 mi

Minor Hill, TN · 9 mi

Tennessee planting zones →

Questions about 38477

What planting zone is ZIP code 38477?

ZIP code 38477 (Prospect, 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 Prospect, TN?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 38477 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 Prospect, TN?

The median first fall frost near 38477 is October 24, giving a median frost-free growing season of 193 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 38477?

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 38477 get?

About 58.6 inches of precipitation a year and 2 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Pulaski Wwtp station).

How hot do summers get in Prospect, 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 38477 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Dellrose at the center of ZIP 38477: gravelly silt loam, well drained, pH about 5.3 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Prospect, TN in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 38477 came on Feb 20 in 2026, about the same as the 1991–2020 average (Feb 21), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Prospect, TN?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 38477 is 14 h 31 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 38477 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 38477 in zone 7a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 7b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.