Memphis, TN Frost Dates & Growing Season

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

Last spring frost
Mar 16
~50% chance of frost after
First fall frost
Nov 16
~50% chance of frost before
Growing season
245 days
frost-free stretch
USDA zone
8a
2023 hardiness map
Risky (1 year in 10)MedianSafe (9 years in 10)
Last spring frost Feb 27 Mar 16 Apr 4
First fall frost Dec 3 Nov 16 Nov 2
Hard freeze (28°F), median last Mar 4 · first Nov 28

Computed from NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals at the Memphis International Airport station (12 km from central Memphis). "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 Memphis

Computed from Memphis's own frost dates. Click any crop for the full zone-8 growing guide — varieties, spacing, fall plantings, and more.

CropStart seeds indoorsTransplantDirect sow
🍅 Tomatoes Jan 19 – Feb 2 Mar 23 – Mar 30
🫑 Peppers Jan 5 – Jan 19 Mar 30 – Apr 6
🥬 Lettuce Feb 2 – Feb 16 Feb 16 – Mar 2 Feb 16 – Mar 16
🫛 Peas Feb 2 – Feb 16
🥕 Carrots Feb 23 – Mar 16
🥦 Broccoli Jan 26 – Feb 9 Feb 23 – Mar 9
🥬 Kale Feb 2 – Feb 16 Feb 16 – Mar 2 Feb 16 – Mar 2
🥒 Cucumbers Feb 16 – Feb 23 Mar 23 – Mar 30 Mar 23 – Mar 30
🥒 Zucchini Feb 16 – Feb 23 Mar 23 – Mar 30 Mar 23 – Mar 30
🫘 Green Beans (Bush) Mar 23 – Mar 30
🌽 Sweet Corn Mar 23 – Mar 30
🌿 Basil Feb 2 – Feb 16 Mar 23 – Mar 30 Mar 30 – Apr 6
🧄 Garlic Fall: Oct 5 – Nov 2

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 Memphis's dates automatically after a lookup.

Reading the season in Memphis

With roughly 245 frost-free days, Memphis 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 Nov 16 is late enough that fall planting is a full second season, not an afterthought.

Frequently asked questions

When is the last frost in Memphis, TN?

The average last spring frost in Memphis is around Mar 16, 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 Memphis, TN?

The average first fall frost in Memphis arrives around Nov 16. 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 Memphis?

About 245 frost-free days on average, from Mar 16 to Nov 16. That comfortably fits long-season crops like melons and winter squash, plus spring and fall plantings of cool-season vegetables.

What USDA zone is Memphis in?

USDA zone 8a 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.