Columbia 3 WNW, TN Frost Dates & Growing Season

The two dates every Columbia 3 WNW garden is planned around, plus ready-computed planting windows for the most popular crops.

Last spring frost
Apr 10
~50% chance of frost after
First fall frost
Oct 27
~50% chance of frost before
Growing season
200 days
frost-free stretch
USDA zone
≈ 7b
estimated from nearby reference
Risky (1 year in 10)MedianSafe (9 years in 10)
Last spring frost Mar 26 Apr 10 Apr 26
First fall frost Nov 7 Oct 27 Oct 16
Hard freeze (28°F), median last Mar 29 · first Nov 5

Computed from NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals at the COLUMBIA 3 WNW station. "Safe" means frost past that date happens only about one year in ten. Your exact garden can still run days either way with elevation and terrain — check your own ZIP with the frost date lookup.

Planting windows for Columbia 3 WNW

Computed from Columbia 3 WNW's own frost dates. Click any crop for the full zone-7 growing guide — varieties, spacing, fall plantings, and more.

CropStart seeds indoorsTransplantDirect sow
🍅 Tomatoes Feb 13 – Feb 27 Apr 17 – Apr 24
🫑 Peppers Jan 30 – Feb 13 Apr 24 – May 1
🥬 Lettuce Feb 27 – Mar 13 Mar 13 – Mar 27 Mar 13 – Apr 10
🫛 Peas Feb 27 – Mar 13
🥕 Carrots Mar 20 – Apr 10
🥦 Broccoli Feb 20 – Mar 6 Mar 20 – Apr 3
🥬 Kale Feb 27 – Mar 13 Mar 13 – Mar 27 Mar 13 – Mar 27
🥒 Cucumbers Mar 13 – Mar 20 Apr 17 – Apr 24 Apr 17 – Apr 24
🥒 Zucchini Mar 13 – Mar 20 Apr 17 – Apr 24 Apr 17 – Apr 24
🫘 Green Beans (Bush) Apr 17 – Apr 24
🌽 Sweet Corn Apr 17 – Apr 24
🌿 Basil Feb 27 – Mar 13 Apr 17 – Apr 24 Apr 24 – May 1
🧄 Garlic Fall: Sep 15 – Oct 13

Want this for all 50 crops, or as a printable seed-shelf schedule? Use the planting calendar and the seed starting scheduler — both can use Columbia 3 WNW's dates automatically after a lookup.

Reading the season in Columbia 3 WNW

With roughly 200 frost-free days, Columbia 3 WNW gardens fit long-season crops — melons, winter squash, sweet potatoes — with room left for spring and fall rounds of greens and roots. The first frost around Oct 27 is late enough that fall planting is a full second season, not an afterthought.

Frequently asked questions

When is the last frost in Columbia 3 WNW, TN?

The average last spring frost in Columbia 3 WNW is around Apr 10, based on 1991–2020 climate normals. That's a median — about half of years see a later frost, so tender crops are safest going out a week or two after this date.

When is the first frost in Columbia 3 WNW, TN?

The average first fall frost in Columbia 3 WNW arrives around Oct 27. Crops still in the garden need to mature before then, and frost-tender plants need harvesting or protection as the date approaches.

How long is the growing season in Columbia 3 WNW?

About 200 frost-free days on average, from Apr 10 to Oct 27. That comfortably fits long-season crops like melons and winter squash, plus spring and fall plantings of cool-season vegetables.

What USDA zone is Columbia 3 WNW in?

USDA zone 7b on the 2023 Plant Hardiness Zone Map. Note that zones describe winter cold, not frost timing — these frost dates are the numbers to plan plantings around.