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

Planting zone for 38562 — Gainesboro, TN

ZIP code 38562 (Gainesboro, Jackson County) is in USDA zone 7a: the coldest winter night averages 0 to 5 °F. The median last spring frost is April 20 and the first fall frost October 22.

Where ZIP 38562 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.

Zone7a0 to 5 °F

Coldest night−17.8 to −15 °C

Last frostApr 20

First frostOct 22

2012 zone6b

Was 6b 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 7a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Gainesboro, 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 Gainesboro, TN

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostApril 20median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMay 6only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 22median — 10% chance by Oct 8

Growing season183 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 8 and returns around October 30.

From the NOAA station Gainesboro, TN — within 1 mile, elevation 486 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 38562

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Mar 9 – Mar 23

SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 9 – Mar 30

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 9 – Feb 23

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 30 – Apr 13

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 23 – Apr 6

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 30 – Apr 13

LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 23 – Apr 6

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 30 – Apr 13

TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 23 – Mar 9

TomatoesTransplant · Apr 27 – May 11

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 9 – Feb 23

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 4 – May 18

BeansSow outdoors · Apr 27 – May 11

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 27 – May 11

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 27 – May 11

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Aug 27 – Sep 10

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 8 – Nov 12

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 20) and first fall frost (Oct 22) 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 38562 came on Feb 25 — 3 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 28).

average
Feb 282026
Feb 25

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 7a in Tennessee

560 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in Tennessee, and rated by the USDA to survive 0 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 7a. 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 Gainesboro, TN.

Soil in Gainesboro, TN

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 38562 is Mimosa — silty clay loam, well drained.

TextureSilty clay loamholds water and nutrients; slow to drain and warm up

pH5.6moderately acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter0.75%low — add compost

Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Mimosa silty clay loam, 5 to 12 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 38562; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Gainesboro, TN

Summer high90 °Faverage high, July

Winter low24 °Faverage low, January

Hot days48days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights104nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days4,247base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 38 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 41 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation56.5 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall5 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: Gainesboro, TN (within 1 mile); precipitation: Gainesboro, TN (within 1 mile). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

4 of the 8 nearest ZIP codes are in a different zone — elevation and distance from water change winter lows quickly.

385887a

Whitleyville, TN · 8 mi

385457b

Bloomington Springs, TN · 8 mi

385647b

Granville, TN · 8 mi

385017a

Cookeville, TN · 11 mi

385687a

Hilham, TN · 12 mi

385527b

Chestnut Mound, TN · 13 mi

Tennessee planting zones →

Questions about 38562

What planting zone is ZIP code 38562?

ZIP code 38562 (Gainesboro, TN) is in USDA hardiness zone 7a on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches 0 to 5 °F (−17.8 to −15 °C).

When is the last frost in Gainesboro, TN?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 38562 is April 20; after May 6 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Gainesboro station.

When is the first frost in Gainesboro, TN?

The median first fall frost near 38562 is October 22, giving a median frost-free growing season of 183 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 38562?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 23 – Mar 9 and set transplants outside around Apr 27 – May 11, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 38562 get?

About 56.5 inches of precipitation a year and 5 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Gainesboro station).

How hot do summers get in Gainesboro, TN?

The average high peaks at 90 °F in July, with about 48 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 38562 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Mimosa at the center of ZIP 38562: silty clay loam, well drained, pH about 5.6 (moderately acidic).

Did spring come early in Gainesboro, TN in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 38562 came on Feb 25 in 2026, 3 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 28), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Gainesboro, TN?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 38562 is 14 h 38 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 38562 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 38562 in zone 6b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 7a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.