Frost Dates & Planting Calendar for Germantown, TN

The average first fall frost in Germantown, TN is November 5, and the average last spring frost is March 29, giving a growing season of about 223 days.

Plan your garden around Germantown, TN's typical frost-free growing season, using NOAA climate normals and a 42-crop planting calendar built for this location.

Last Spring Frost

March 29

Safe Apr 13 Typical Mar 29 Risky Mar 9

First Fall Frost

November 5

Safe Oct 25 Typical Nov 5 Risky Nov 22

Growing Season

223 days

Typical last frost to typical first frost.

USDA Hardiness Zone

Zone 8a

Mild winters and a long growing season, room for both cool- and warm-season crops.

Data: NOAA station MEMPHIS WFO, TN US, 4.8 km away.

— days until the typical last spring frost

How Germantown Compares

Germantown's typical last spring frost (Mar 29) comes earlier than in 74% of the 70 Tennessee cities we track.
Its 223-day growing season is 17 days longer than the Tennessee median of 206 days.
Germantown shares its NOAA weather station with Cordova (8 km away), so their typical frost dates are the same.
July is the warmest month (average high 91°F) and January the coldest (average low 30°F).

Monthly Temperatures

Avg. high Avg. temp Avg. low

Planting Calendar

Vegetables
Crop	Start indoors	Direct sow	Transplant	Fall planting	Maturity	Notes
Tomato	Feb 1 – Feb 15	—	Apr 5 – Apr 12	—	60–85 days	Start indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost; transplant out 1-2 weeks after last frost once soil has warmed.
Pepper	Jan 18 – Feb 1	—	Apr 5 – Apr 19	—	60–90 days	Slow to germinate; start indoors 8-10 weeks before last frost. Transplant only once nights stay above 55F, 1-3 weeks after last frost.
Eggplant	Jan 18 – Feb 1	—	Apr 12 – Apr 19	—	65–85 days	Warm-season crop, similar timing to pepper; needs consistently warm soil (65F+) to transplant.
Cucumber	Mar 1 – Mar 8	Apr 5 – Apr 12	Apr 5 – Apr 12	—	50–65 days	Can be started indoors 3-4 weeks before transplanting, or direct-sown 1-2 weeks after last frost once soil is warm.
Zucchini	Mar 8 – Mar 15	Apr 5 – Apr 19	Apr 5 – Apr 12	—	45–55 days	Fast-growing squash; direct sow 1-3 weeks after last frost, or start indoors 2-3 weeks early for a head start.
Winter Squash	Mar 1 – Mar 8	Apr 5 – Apr 19	Apr 5 – Apr 12	—	80–110 days	Long season; direct sow after soil warms, or start indoors 3-4 weeks before last frost in short-season climates.
Pumpkin	—	Apr 5 – Apr 19	—	—	90–120 days	Direct sow 1-3 weeks after last frost; back-time from your first fall frost so the 90-120 day maturity window lands before it.
Watermelon	Mar 1 – Mar 8	—	Apr 12 – Apr 19	—	70–90 days	Needs warm soil (65F+); start indoors 3-4 weeks before last frost, transplant 2-3 weeks after last frost.
Cantaloupe	Mar 1 – Mar 8	—	Apr 12 – Apr 19	—	70–90 days	Same warm-soil requirements as watermelon; avoid disturbing roots when transplanting.
Corn	—	Mar 29 – Apr 12	—	—	60–100 days	Direct sow at last frost to 2 weeks after, once soil reaches 60F; does not transplant well. Succession sow every 2 weeks.
Green Bean	—	Mar 29 – Apr 12	—	—	50–65 days	Direct sow at last frost to 2 weeks after, once soil has warmed; frost-tender, do not rush.
Pea	—	Feb 15 – Mar 1	—	—	55–70 days	Cold-hardy; direct sow 4-6 weeks before last frost as soon as soil can be worked.
Lettuce	—	Mar 1 – Mar 15	—	Sep 10 – Sep 24	45–60 days	Cold-hardy; direct sow 2-4 weeks before last frost. Also transplantable from indoor starts.
Spinach	—	Feb 15 – Mar 1	—	Sep 10 – Sep 24	40–50 days	Very cold-hardy; direct sow 4-6 weeks before last frost as soon as soil can be worked.
Kale	—	Mar 1 – Mar 15	—	Aug 27 – Sep 10	50–65 days	Cold-hardy; direct sow 2-4 weeks before last frost or start indoors for earlier transplants.
Arugula	—	Mar 1 – Mar 15	—	Sep 24 – Oct 1	30–40 days	Fast-growing, cold-tolerant green; direct sow 2-4 weeks before last frost, succession sow every 2-3 weeks.
Swiss Chard	—	Mar 8 – Mar 22	—	—	50–60 days	Fairly cold-hardy; direct sow 1-3 weeks before last frost. Tolerates light frost in fall too.
Broccoli	Feb 8 – Feb 22	—	Mar 8 – Mar 15	Sep 3 – Sep 10	55–80 days	Start indoors 5-7 weeks before last frost; transplant out 2-3 weeks before last frost (hardens off to light frost).
Cauliflower	Feb 8 – Feb 22	—	Mar 15 – Mar 22	Aug 27 – Sep 3	55–85 days	Fussier than broccoli about temperature swings; start indoors 5-7 weeks before last frost, transplant 1-2 weeks before last frost.
Cabbage	Feb 8 – Feb 22	—	Mar 1 – Mar 15	Aug 27 – Sep 10	60–100 days	Cold-hardy; start indoors 5-7 weeks before last frost, transplant 2-4 weeks before last frost.
Brussels Sprouts	Feb 8 – Feb 22	—	Mar 8 – Mar 22	—	90–110 days	Long-season crop best timed to mature after a light fall frost for sweetest flavor; start indoors 5-7 weeks before last frost.
Carrot	—	Mar 1 – Mar 15	—	Aug 13 – Aug 27	60–80 days	Direct sow only (does not transplant); sow 2-4 weeks before last frost, as soon as soil can be worked.
Beet	—	Mar 1 – Mar 15	—	Aug 27 – Sep 10	50–65 days	Direct sow 2-4 weeks before last frost; tolerates light frost.
Radish	—	Feb 22 – Mar 8	—	Sep 24 – Oct 8	22–30 days	Very fast and cold-hardy; direct sow 3-5 weeks before last frost, as soon as soil can be worked.
Turnip	—	Mar 1 – Mar 15	—	Aug 27 – Sep 10	40–60 days	Cold-hardy; direct sow 2-4 weeks before last frost.
Onion	Jan 18 – Feb 1	—	Mar 1 – Mar 15	—	90–120 days	Start seeds indoors 8-10 weeks before last frost (or use sets/transplants); set out 2-4 weeks before last frost, very cold-tolerant as seedlings.
Garlic	—	—	—	Oct 8 – Oct 22	240–270 days	Fall-planted crop only; not planted in spring in most climates.
Potato	—	Mar 1 – Mar 15	—	—	70–120 days	Plant seed potatoes 2-4 weeks before last frost, as soon as soil can be worked and is above 45F; light frost on emerging foliage is usually tolerated.
Sweet Potato	—	—	Apr 12 – Apr 26	—	90–120 days	Set out slips 2-4 weeks after last frost once soil is thoroughly warm (65F+); very frost/cold sensitive.
Asparagus	—	—	Mar 1 – Mar 15	—	730–1095 days	Perennial; plant crowns 2-4 weeks before last frost as soon as soil can be worked. Takes 2-3 years to full production.

Herbs
Crop	Start indoors	Direct sow	Transplant	Fall planting	Maturity	Notes
Basil	Feb 15 – Feb 22	—	Apr 5 – Apr 12	—	50–70 days	Very frost/cold sensitive; start indoors 5-6 weeks before last frost, transplant only after all danger of frost (1-2 weeks after) and nights stay warm.
Cilantro	—	Mar 8 – Mar 22	—	Sep 10 – Sep 24	45–70 days	Cool-season, bolts in heat; direct sow 1-3 weeks before last frost, succession sow through spring.
Parsley	Feb 1 – Feb 15	—	Mar 15 – Mar 22	—	70–90 days	Slow to germinate; start indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost, transplant 1-2 weeks before last frost (biennial, cold-tolerant).
Dill	—	Mar 8 – Mar 22	—	—	40–60 days	Taprooted, does not transplant well; direct sow 1-3 weeks before last frost, succession sow through summer.
Oregano	Feb 1 – Feb 15	—	Mar 29 – Apr 5	—	80–90 days	Perennial herb; start indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost, transplant around/just after last frost date.
Thyme	Feb 1 – Feb 15	—	Mar 29 – Apr 5	—	85–95 days	Perennial herb, slow from seed; start indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost, transplant around/after last frost.

Flowers
Crop	Start indoors	Direct sow	Transplant	Fall planting	Maturity	Notes
Sunflower	—	Apr 5 – Apr 19	—	—	70–100 days	Direct sow 1-3 weeks after last frost once soil has warmed; taprooted, resents transplanting.
Zinnia	Mar 1 – Mar 8	Apr 5 – Apr 19	Apr 5 – Apr 12	—	60–70 days	Frost-tender; direct sow 1-3 weeks after last frost, or start indoors 3-4 weeks early for earlier blooms.
Marigold	Feb 15 – Mar 1	—	Apr 5 – Apr 12	—	45–60 days	Frost-tender; start indoors 4-6 weeks before last frost, transplant after all frost danger has passed.
Cosmos	Mar 1 – Mar 8	Apr 5 – Apr 19	Apr 5 – Apr 12	—	60–90 days	Easy from direct seed 1-3 weeks after last frost; can also start indoors 3-4 weeks early.
Nasturtium	—	Apr 5 – Apr 19	—	—	50–65 days	Frost-tender, resents root disturbance; direct sow 1-3 weeks after last frost once soil has warmed.
Dahlia	—	—	Apr 5 – Apr 19	—	90–120 days	Plant tubers 1-3 weeks after last frost once soil is warm (60F+); very frost-sensitive.

Date ranges are estimates based on university extension guidelines and this city's NOAA frost normals — not a guarantee. Scroll to see all columns on narrow screens.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the last frost in Germantown, TN?

Based on 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals for the MEMPHIS WFO, TN US station, the last spring frost in Germantown typically falls around March 29. A cautious gardener might wait until April 13 (only a 10% chance of a later frost), while March 9 marks an earlier, higher-risk planting date.

When is the first frost in Germantown, TN in fall?

The first fall frost in Germantown typically arrives around November 5. To stay safe, assume frost could start as early as October 25; in milder years it can hold off until November 22.

How long is the growing season in Germantown, TN?

Germantown's average frost-free growing season is about 223 days, running from the typical last spring frost (March 29) to the typical first fall frost (November 5).

What USDA hardiness zone is Germantown, TN in?

Germantown, TN is in USDA plant hardiness zone 8a, per the USDA's 2023 Plant Hardiness Zone Map. Mild winters and a long growing season, room for both cool- and warm-season crops.