Cookeville, TN planting zone & frost dates
Cookeville is in USDA hardiness zone 7a. The last spring frost usually comes around April 14 and the first fall frost around October 25, for a growing season of about 195 days.
Planting calendar for Cookeville
Dates are counted from the average last spring frost (April 14) 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 17 – Mar 3 Transplant outdoors: Apr 21 – Apr 28 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors: Feb 3 – Feb 17 Transplant outdoors: Apr 28 – May 5 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors: Feb 3 – Feb 17 Transplant outdoors: Apr 28 – May 5 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors: Feb 3 – Feb 17 Transplant outdoors: Mar 17 – Mar 31 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors: Feb 3 – Feb 17 Transplant outdoors: Mar 17 – Mar 31 |
| Onions (sets) | Plant outdoors: Mar 17 – Mar 31 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors: Mar 3 – Mar 17 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors: Mar 3 – Mar 17 |
| Lettuce | Sow outdoors: Mar 17 – Mar 31 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors: Mar 17 – Mar 31 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors: Mar 17 – Mar 31 |
| Beans | Sow outdoors: Apr 21 – Apr 28 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors: Apr 21 – Apr 28 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors: Apr 21 – Apr 28 |
| Squash & zucchini | Sow outdoors: Apr 21 – Apr 28 |
| Basil | Start seeds indoors: Mar 3 – Mar 17 Transplant outdoors: Apr 21 – Apr 28 |
Fall garden: cool-season crops like lettuce, spinach and kale can be sown again around Aug 30 (8 weeks before the average first fall frost on Oct 25).
Useful for zone 7a 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 29 | Apr 14 | Apr 30 |
| First 32°F frost in fall is before | Nov 7 | Oct 25 | Oct 12 |
How to read it: in spring there is a 10% chance of a frost after April 30, so that is a safe date for tender plants. In fall there is a 10% chance of frost before October 12. A hard freeze (28°F) usually ends around April 1.
Hardiness zone by ZIP code in Cookeville
- 38501 zone 7a
- 38502 zone 7a
- 38503 zone 7a
- 38506 zone 7a
Nearby cities
- Crossville zone 7a, last frost Apr 16
- McMinnville zone 7b, last frost Apr 7
- Lebanon zone 7b, last frost Apr 6
- Manchester zone 7b, last frost Apr 13
- Murfreesboro zone 7b, last frost Apr 9
- Gallatin zone 7b, last frost Apr 16
- Soddy-Daisy zone 7b, last frost Mar 24
- Middle Valley zone 7b, last frost Mar 24
Questions
What growing zone is Cookeville, TN?
Cookeville is in USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 7a (average extreme winter low 0°F to 5°F), according to the USDA 2023 map.
When is the last frost in Cookeville?
The average last spring frost (32°F) in Cookeville is April 14. There is still a 10% chance of frost until April 30.
When can I plant tomatoes in Cookeville?
Transplant tomatoes outdoors 1–2 weeks after the average last frost: around Apr 21 – Apr 28. Start seeds indoors 6–8 weeks before the last frost.
Frost dates: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station Cookeville, TN (USC00402009), 6.2 km (3.9 mi) from the city center, elevation 332 m, based on 27 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.