In Chattanooga, TN, the average last spring frost is Mar 24 and the average first fall frost is Nov 9, which leaves about 230 frost-free days for the garden. These dates come from NOAA climate normals for the Chattanooga Lovell Airport, TN weather station, at 671 feet above sea level.
A long season lets you do more than one planting: a spring crop, a second planting of quick crops in summer, and a fall garden. Succession planting works well here. Frost timing varies from year to year: in about 1 spring in 10 the last frost falls as late as Apr 8, and in about 1 fall in 10 the first frost arrives as early as Oct 27.
Frost dates for Chattanooga, TN
| Chance of a freeze (32°F) after or before this date | Last spring frost | First fall frost | Freeze-free season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Optimistic (about 1 year in 10) | Mar 6 | Nov 26 | 265 days |
| Average (half of years) | Mar 24 | Nov 9 | 230 days |
| Cautious (9 years in 10 are safe) | Apr 8 | Oct 27 | 202 days |
Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals, 1991 to 2020. Use the cautious dates for tender crops such as tomatoes and peppers.
When to plant in Chattanooga, TN
These windows count weeks forward and back from the average frost dates above. They are planning guides: check the forecast before planting tender crops, and see our what to plant now tool for today's date.
| Crop | Start seeds indoors | Plant outdoors in spring | Plant in fall |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tomatoes | Jan 27 to Feb 10 | Mar 31 to Apr 7 | – |
| Peppers | Jan 13 to Jan 27 | Apr 7 to Apr 14 | – |
| Eggplant | Jan 13 to Jan 27 | Apr 7 to Apr 14 | – |
| Onions | Jan 13 to Jan 27 | Feb 24 to Mar 10 | – |
| Parsley | Jan 13 to Jan 27 | Mar 24 to Mar 31 | – |
| Broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower | Jan 27 to Feb 10 | Mar 10 to Mar 17 | Aug 17 to Sep 14 |
| Basil | Feb 10 to Feb 10 | Mar 31 to Apr 7 | – |
| Peas | Sow outdoors | Feb 10 to Feb 24 | Aug 17 to Sep 14 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors | Feb 10 to Feb 24 | Sep 14 to Oct 12 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors | Feb 10 to Feb 24 | Sep 14 to Oct 12 |
| Lettuce | Sow outdoors | Feb 24 to Mar 10 | Sep 14 to Oct 12 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors | Feb 24 to Mar 10 | Aug 17 to Sep 14 |
| Beets | Sow outdoors | Feb 24 to Mar 10 | Aug 17 to Sep 14 |
| Potatoes | Sow outdoors | Feb 24 to Mar 10 | – |
| Kale | Sow outdoors | Feb 24 to Mar 10 | Aug 17 to Sep 14 |
| Swiss chard | Sow outdoors | Mar 10 to Mar 24 | – |
| Cilantro | Sow outdoors | Mar 10 to Mar 24 | Sep 14 to Oct 12 |
| Dill | Sow outdoors | Mar 24 to Mar 31 | – |
| Bush beans | Sow outdoors | Mar 31 to Apr 7 | Aug 6 to Aug 20 |
| Pole beans | Sow outdoors | Mar 31 to Apr 7 | – |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Mar 31 to Apr 7 | – |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Mar 31 to Apr 7 | Jul 27 to Aug 10 |
| Zucchini and summer squash | Sow outdoors | Mar 31 to Apr 7 | Aug 6 to Aug 20 |
| Winter squash | Sow outdoors | Mar 31 to Apr 7 | – |
| Sweet potatoes (slips) | Sow outdoors | Apr 7 to Apr 21 | – |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 7 to Apr 21 | – |
A dash in the fall column means the crop is not usually planted in fall, or the season is too short.
Overnight lows this week
The National Weather Service forecast shows frost risk on: Sun 15 night (32°F), Sun 15 night (35°F), Mon 16 night (34°F), Tue 17 night (33°F), Wed 18 night (35°F). Cover tender plants before dark on those nights.
| Night | Forecast low | Frost risk |
|---|---|---|
| Sun 15 night | 32°F | Freeze |
| Sun 15 night | 35°F | Frost possible |
| Mon 16 night | 34°F | Frost possible |
| Tue 17 night | 33°F | Frost possible |
| Wed 18 night | 35°F | Frost possible |
| Thu 19 night | 38°F | No frost expected |
| Fri 20 night | 39°F | No frost expected |
Live forecast for the station location, from the National Weather Service. For your own ZIP code, use our garden weather forecast.
More garden tools for Chattanooga, TN
- Frost dates by ZIP code for your exact location
- What to plant now, based on today's date
- Garden weather forecast by ZIP code
- Safe transplant date calculator
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Chattanooga, TN?
The average last spring frost is Mar 24. A late frost as far out as Apr 8 happens in about 1 year in 10, so tender plants such as tomatoes and peppers are safest after that cautious date.
When is the first frost in Chattanooga, TN?
The average first fall frost is Nov 9. It can arrive as early as Oct 27 in about 1 year in 10, so plan to harvest tender crops before then.
How long is the growing season in Chattanooga, TN?
The average freeze-free season is about 230 days, between the average last spring frost and the average first fall frost.
Where do these dates come from?
They come from the NOAA 1991 to 2020 U.S. Climate Normals for the Chattanooga Lovell Airport, TN station. Hills, valleys, lakes and city heat can shift frost by a week or more, so compare with neighbors who garden near you.