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

Planting zone for 38488 — Taft, TN

ZIP code 38488 (Taft, Lincoln County) is in USDA zone 7b: the coldest winter night averages 5 to 10 °F. The median last spring frost is March 30 and the first fall frost November 4.

Where ZIP 38488 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 frostMar 30

First frostNov 4

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 Taft, 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 Taft, TN

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMarch 30median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsApril 14only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostNovember 4median — 10% chance by Oct 23

Growing season223 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 17 and returns around November 18.

From the NOAA station Ardmore, TN — 10 miles away, elevation 886 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 38488

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Feb 16 – Mar 2

SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 16 – Mar 9

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 19 – Feb 2

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 9 – Mar 23

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 2 – Mar 16

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 9 – Mar 23

LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 2 – Mar 16

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 9 – Mar 23

TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 2 – Feb 16

TomatoesTransplant · Apr 6 – Apr 20

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 19 – Feb 2

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 13 – Apr 27

BeansSow outdoors · Apr 6 – Apr 20

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 6 – Apr 20

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 6 – Apr 20

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 9 – Sep 23

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 21 – Nov 25

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Mar 30) and first fall frost (Nov 4) 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 38488 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 Taft, TN.

Soil in Taft, TN

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 38488 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, 12 to 20 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 38488; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Taft, TN

Summer high91 °Faverage high, July

Winter low30 °Faverage low, January

Hot days65days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights66nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days5,179base 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 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: Ardmore, TN (10 mi away); precipitation: Fayetteville 5.8 Wsw, TN (6 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 7b.

357397b

Ardmore, AL · 7 mi

357507b

Hazel Green, AL · 7 mi

Fayetteville, TN · 11 mi

384557b

Elkton, TN · 12 mi

384597b

Frankewing, TN · 13 mi

Tennessee planting zones →

Questions about 38488

What planting zone is ZIP code 38488?

ZIP code 38488 (Taft, 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 Taft, TN?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 38488 is March 30; after April 14 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Ardmore station.

When is the first frost in Taft, TN?

The median first fall frost near 38488 is November 4, giving a median frost-free growing season of 223 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 38488?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 2 – Feb 16 and set transplants outside around Apr 6 – Apr 20, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 38488 get?

About 57 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Fayetteville 5.8 Wsw station).

How hot do summers get in Taft, TN?

The average high peaks at 91 °F in July, with about 65 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 38488 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Dellrose at the center of ZIP 38488: gravelly silt loam, well drained, pH about 5.3 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Taft, TN in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 38488 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 Taft, TN?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 38488 is 14 h 31 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.