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

Planting zone for 38571 — Crossville, TN

ZIP code 38571 (Crossville, Cumberland County) is in USDA zone 7a: the coldest winter night averages 0 to 5 °F. The median last spring frost is April 19 and the first fall frost October 22.

Where ZIP 38571 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 19
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 Crossville, 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 Crossville, TN

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostApril 19median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMay 7only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 22median — 10% chance by Oct 8
Growing season185 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around April 3 and returns around October 30.

From the NOAA station Crossville Ed & Research, TN — 7 miles away, elevation 1,811 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 38571

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Mar 8 – Mar 22
SpinachSow outdoors · Mar 8 – Mar 29
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Feb 8 – Feb 22
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 29 – Apr 12
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 22 – Apr 5
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 29 – Apr 12
LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 22 – Apr 5
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 29 – Apr 12
TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 22 – Mar 8
TomatoesTransplant · Apr 26 – May 10
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Feb 8 – Feb 22
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · May 3 – May 17
BeansSow outdoors · Apr 26 – May 10
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 26 – May 10
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 26 – May 10
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 19) 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 38571 came on Feb 26 — 6 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 4).

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.

Trees 80

Shrubs 116

Wildflowers & perennials 182

Grasses 155

Vines 14

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 Crossville, TN.

Soil in Crossville, TN

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 38571 is Ramsey — loam, somewhat excessively drained.

TextureLoama good balance for most vegetables
pH5.0strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageSomewhat excessively drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter1.75%low — add compost
Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Ramsey-Rock outcrop complex, 5 to 12 percent slopes.

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 38571; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Crossville, TN

Summer high82 °Faverage high, July
Winter low25 °Faverage low, January
Hot days9days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights96nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days3,303base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day14 h 37 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 42 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growIntermediateday-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully
Precipitation58.8 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

10°20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°32 °FJanuary: average high 42 °F, low 25 °F 42°25° JanFebruary: average high 45 °F, low 28 °F 45°28° FebMarch: average high 54 °F, low 35 °F 54°35° MarApril: average high 64 °F, low 44 °F 64°44° AprMay: average high 72 °F, low 52 °F 72°52° MayJune: average high 79 °F, low 60 °F 79°60° JunJuly: average high 82 °F, low 63 °F 82°63° JulAugust: average high 81 °F, low 62 °F 81°62° AugSeptember: average high 76 °F, low 55 °F 76°55° SepOctober: average high 66 °F, low 44 °F 66°44° OctNovember: average high 54 °F, low 35 °F 54°35° NovDecember: average high 45 °F, low 29 °F 45°29° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″5″6″January: 4.85 in precipitation 4.8 JanFebruary: 5.29 in precipitation 5.3 FebMarch: 5.82 in precipitation 5.8 MarApril: 5.57 in precipitation 5.6 AprMay: 5.03 in precipitation 5.0 MayJune: 4.95 in precipitation 5.0 JunJuly: 5.47 in precipitation 5.5 JulAugust: 4.03 in precipitation 4.0 AugSeptember: 4.26 in precipitation 4.3 SepOctober: 3.34 in precipitation 3.3 OctNovember: 4.71 in precipitation 4.7 NovDecember: 5.49 in precipitation 5.5 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Crossville Ed & Research, TN (7 mi away); precipitation: Crossville 5.1 N, TN (2 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 7a.

All 5 ZIP codes in Crossville → · Tennessee planting zones →

Questions about 38571

What planting zone is ZIP code 38571?

ZIP code 38571 (Crossville, 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 Crossville, TN?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 38571 is April 19; after May 7 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Crossville Ed & Research station.

When is the first frost in Crossville, TN?

The median first fall frost near 38571 is October 22, giving a median frost-free growing season of 185 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 38571?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 22 – Mar 8 and set transplants outside around Apr 26 – May 10, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 38571 get?

About 58.8 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Crossville 5.1 N station).

How hot do summers get in Crossville, TN?

The average high peaks at 82 °F in July, with about 9 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 38571 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Ramsey at the center of ZIP 38571: loam, somewhat excessively drained, pH about 5.0 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Crossville, TN in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 38571 came on Feb 26 in 2026, 6 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Mar 4), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Crossville, TN?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 38571 is 14 h 37 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 38571 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 38571 in zone 6b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 7a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.