Knoxville, TN planting zone & frost dates
Knoxville is in USDA hardiness zone 7b. The last spring frost usually comes around April 11 and the first fall frost around October 28, for a growing season of about 198 days.
Planting calendar for Knoxville
Dates are counted from the average last spring frost (April 11) using the typical timing recommended by U.S. extension services. Warm-season crops go out only after the danger of frost has passed and the soil has warmed.
| Crop | When |
|---|---|
| Tomatoes | Start seeds indoors: Feb 14 – Feb 28 Transplant outdoors: Apr 18 – Apr 25 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors: Jan 31 – Feb 14 Transplant outdoors: Apr 25 – May 2 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors: Jan 31 – Feb 14 Transplant outdoors: Apr 25 – May 2 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors: Jan 31 – Feb 14 Transplant outdoors: Mar 14 – Mar 28 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors: Jan 31 – Feb 14 Transplant outdoors: Mar 14 – Mar 28 |
| Onions (sets) | Plant outdoors: Mar 14 – Mar 28 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors: Feb 28 – Mar 14 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors: Feb 28 – Mar 14 |
| Lettuce | Sow outdoors: Mar 14 – Mar 28 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors: Mar 14 – Mar 28 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors: Mar 14 – Mar 28 |
| Beans | Sow outdoors: Apr 18 – Apr 25 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors: Apr 18 – Apr 25 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors: Apr 18 – Apr 25 |
| Squash & zucchini | Sow outdoors: Apr 18 – Apr 25 |
| Basil | Start seeds indoors: Feb 28 – Mar 14 Transplant outdoors: Apr 18 – Apr 25 |
Fall garden: cool-season crops like lettuce, spinach and kale can be sown again around Sep 2 (8 weeks before the average first fall frost on Oct 28).
Useful for zone 7b gardens
- Seed starting kit with dome — to start seeds indoors before the last frost
- LED grow light for seedlings — stops leggy seedlings
- Frost cloth / plant covers — for late spring and early fall frosts
- Soil thermometer — warm-season crops need soil above 60°F
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Frost risk in detail
| 90% chance | 50% chance | 10% chance | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Last 32°F frost in spring is after | Mar 26 | Apr 11 | Apr 29 |
| First 32°F frost in fall is before | Nov 9 | Oct 28 | Oct 13 |
How to read it: in spring there is a 10% chance of a frost after April 29, so that is a safe date for tender plants. In fall there is a 10% chance of frost before October 13. A hard freeze (28°F) usually ends around March 31.
Hardiness zone by ZIP code in Knoxville
- 37901 zone 7b
- 37902 zone 7b
- 37909 zone 7b
- 37912 zone 7b
- 37914 zone 7b
- 37915 zone 7b
- 37916 zone 7b
- 37917 zone 7b
- 37918 zone 7b
- 37919 zone 7b
- 37920 zone 7b
- 37921 zone 7b
- 37922 zone 7b
- 37923 zone 7b
- 37924 zone 7b
- 37927 zone 7b
- 37928 zone 7b
- 37929 zone 7b
- 37930 zone 7b
- 37931 zone 7b
- 37932 zone 7b
- 37933 zone 7b
- 37934 zone 7b
- 37938 zone 7b
- 37939 zone 7b
- 37940 zone 7b
- 37950 zone 7b
- 37995 zone 7b
- 37997 zone 7b
Nearby cities
- Seymour zone 7b, last frost Apr 6
- Maryville zone 7b, last frost Apr 1
- Farragut zone 7b, last frost Apr 5
- Clinton zone 7b, last frost Mar 31
- Oak Ridge zone 7b, last frost Apr 5
- Sevierville zone 7b, last frost Apr 6
- Morristown zone 7b, last frost Apr 10
- Athens zone 7b, last frost Apr 6
Questions
What growing zone is Knoxville, TN?
Knoxville is in USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 7b (average extreme winter low 5°F to 10°F), according to the USDA 2023 map.
When is the last frost in Knoxville?
The average last spring frost (32°F) in Knoxville is April 11. There is still a 10% chance of frost until April 29.
When can I plant tomatoes in Knoxville?
Transplant tomatoes outdoors 1–2 weeks after the average last frost: around Apr 18 – Apr 25. Start seeds indoors 6–8 weeks before the last frost.
Frost dates: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station Knoxville Exp Stn, TN (USC00404946), 7.7 km (4.8 mi) from the city center, elevation 253 m, based on 30 years of records. Hardiness zone: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map 2023 for the ZIP code nearest to the city center. Microclimates (valleys, hills, cities, coasts) can be warmer or colder: check the local forecast before planting. How we calculate the data.