When is the last frost in Chattanooga, TN?

The average (50% probability) last spring frost in Chattanooga is March 24, based on NOAA 1991–2020 normals. A 1-in-10 risk remains until April 8.

When is the first frost in Chattanooga?

The average first fall frost in Chattanooga is November 9, with a growing season of about 230 days.

Home › States › Chattanooga

Chattanooga, Tennessee frost dates

Average last spring frost: March 24. Average first fall frost: November 9. That gives a growing season of about 230 days. For frost-tender plants, a safer planting date is April 8, after which a freeze happens in only 1 year in 10.

Last frost (50%)

Mar 24

1-in-10 risk after Apr 8

First frost (50%)

Nov 9

1-in-10 risk before Oct 27

Growing season

230 days

median frost-free days

Hard freeze (28°F)

Mar 11

median last 28°F in spring

Frost risk by date

Chance of frost	Spring: frost after	Fall: frost before
90%	March 6	November 26
70%	March 16	November 14
50%	March 24	November 9
30%	March 31	November 3
10%	April 8	October 27

Read the spring column like this: there is a 10% chance of a 32°F freeze after April 8. These are NOAA probabilities for the Chattanooga Lovell Airport weather station (USW00013882, elevation 205 m), 1991–2020.

Chattanooga vegetable planting calendar

Dates count from the 50% last-frost date (March 24). For tomatoes, peppers and other frost-tender crops, waiting until the 10% date (Apr 8) is the cautious choice.

Crop	Start seeds indoors	Plant out
Beans	Mar 3	Mar 31 (usually sown directly in the garden)
Broccoli	Jan 13	Feb 24
Brussels sprouts	Jan 13	Feb 24
Cabbage	Jan 6	Feb 17
Cauliflower	Jan 27	Mar 10
Sweet corn	Feb 24	Mar 24 (usually sown directly in the garden)
Cucumbers	Mar 10	Mar 31
Kale	Jan 6	Feb 17
Leeks	Dec 9	Feb 17
Lettuce	Feb 3	Mar 10
Melons	Mar 17	Apr 7
Onions	Dec 2	Feb 10 (from seed; sets and transplants go out at the same time)
Peas	Jan 27	Feb 24 (usually sown directly in the garden)
Peppers	Feb 10	Apr 7
Squash	Mar 17	Apr 7
Tomatoes	Jan 27	Mar 24

Offsets from Oregon State University Extension's seed-starting table. "Plant out" means transplant, or sow directly for crops usually grown from seed.

Fall frost and season extension

The first fall freeze usually arrives around November 9. There's a 1-in-10 chance it comes before October 27. Harvest tender crops such as basil, tomatoes, peppers and squash before then, or cover them on cold nights. Cool-season crops like kale, cabbage and Brussels sprouts handle light frost, and often taste sweeter after it. A hard freeze (28°F) typically comes around November 22.

Nearby cities

City	Last frost (50%)	First frost (50%)	Distance
Knoxville, TN	Apr 1	Nov 2	~141 km
Huntsville, AL	Mar 24	Nov 8	~150 km
Atlanta, GA	Mar 15	Nov 20	~170 km
Nashville, TN	Mar 31	Nov 3	~181 km
Birmingham, AL	Mar 21	Nov 11	~215 km
Asheville, NC	Apr 9	Oct 28	~246 km

More: all Tennessee frost dates