When is the last frost in Chattanooga, TN?

The average last spring frost (50% probability of 32°F) in Chattanooga is around March 31, based on NOAA/NCEI 1991–2020 normals at the Lookout Mtn-point Park, TN station (3 mi away). Half of years it falls outside that date, so wait 1–2 weeks past it before setting out frost-tender plants.

When is the first fall frost in Chattanooga?

The average first fall frost in Chattanooga, TN is around November 6, giving roughly a 219-day frost-free growing season.

What planting zone is Chattanooga, TN?

Chattanooga is in USDA plant hardiness zone 8a (average annual extreme minimum temperature 10 to 15°F), from the 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map.

What is the weather like in Chattanooga?

In Chattanooga, TN the warmest month is July (avg high 90.5°F) and the coldest is January (avg low 32.4°F). It averages about 55″ of precipitation a year and 3.6″ of snow.

Home › Tennessee › Chattanooga

Chattanooga, TN Planting Calendar & Frost Dates

USDA hardiness zone 8a · ZIP 37402 · elevation 205′ · NOAA & USDA data

Chattanooga is in USDA hardiness zone 8a (winters can dip to 10 to 15°F), with a growing season of about 219 days between the average last spring frost (March 31) and first fall frost (November 6). The warmest month is July (avg high 90.5°F); the coldest is January (avg low 32.4°F). It averages 55″ of precipitation a year and 3.6″ of snow, mostly mid-winter. Start cool-season crops several weeks before the last frost; wait until after it for tomatoes, peppers and other tender crops.

Hardiness zone

min temp 10 to 15°F

Last spring frost

March 31

avg (50% prob, 32°F)

First fall frost

November 6

avg (50% prob, 32°F)

Growing season

219 days

frost-free window

Warmest month

July

avg high 90.5°F

Month-by-month typical weather in Chattanooga

Average conditions from the NOAA/NCEI 1991–2020 U.S. Climate Normals at Chattanooga Lovell Ap, TN (6.6 mi away). Temperatures °F, precipitation & snow in inches.

Month	Avg high	Avg low	Mean	Precip (in)	Snow (in)
January	51	32.4	41.7	5	1
February	55.6	35.6	45.6	5	1.2
March	64.1	42.2	53.2	5.3	1.1
April	73.6	49.9	61.7	4.9	0
May	81	59	70	3.9	0
June	87.6	67.3	77.4	4.2	0
July	90.5	71	80.7	5.1	0
August	89.8	70.2	80	3.7	0
September	84.3	63.6	73.9	4.2	0
October	74.1	51.4	62.7	3.6	0
November	62	40.3	51.2	4.8	0
December	53.2	35.3	44.3	5.3	0.3

What to plant when in Chattanooga

Crop	Season	What to do & when
Tomatoes	warm	Start seeds indoors: February 17 · Transplant out: April 7
Peppers	warm	Start seeds indoors: February 3 · Transplant out: April 14
Cucumbers	warm	Direct sow: April 7
Zucchini / squash	warm	Direct sow: April 7
Bush beans	warm	Direct sow: April 7
Sweet corn	warm	Direct sow: April 7
Basil	warm	Transplant out: April 7
Peas	cool	Sow (spring): February 24 · Sow (fall): September 11
Spinach	cool	Sow (spring): February 17 · Sow (fall): September 11
Lettuce	cool	Sow (spring): March 3 · Sow (fall): September 11
Kale	cool	Transplant (spring): March 10 · Sow (fall): August 28
Broccoli	cool	Transplant (spring): March 17
Carrots	cool	Sow (spring): March 10 · Sow (fall): August 28
Onions	cool	Transplant (spring): March 3
Potatoes	cool	Plant seed potatoes: March 17
Radishes	cool	Sow (spring): March 3 · Sow (fall): September 25

Dates are computed from Chattanooga's average frost dates using standard cool-/warm-season timing. They're a starting point — a cold spring, a warm microclimate, or a fast-maturing variety can shift them by a week or two.

Want the exact dates for your yard? →
Look up your precise ZIP-code frost dates and a full 26-crop planting calendar on our free interactive tool.
Open the frost & planting tool

🌾 Get a frost reminder

One email in early spring and early fall with the dates for your area. No spam.

Gear that helps you plant on time

Some links below are Amazon affiliate links (tag theboringthin-20). If you buy through them we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you — it keeps this almanac free. We only list generic, genuinely-useful categories.

Soil thermometer →Know when the ground is warm enough to sow — the honest signal, not the calendar.Seed-starting trays + dome →Start tomatoes & peppers indoors on the schedule below.Seedling heat mat →Warms the soil for faster, more even germination indoors.Floating row cover / frost cloth →Buys you 4–8°F to beat an early or late frost.Raised garden bed kit →Warms and drains faster in spring than in-ground soil.Garden gloves →Basic kit for transplant day.

Nearby cities in Tennessee

Cleveland, TN Murfreesboro, TN Smyrna, TN Knoxville, TN Brentwood, TN Franklin, TN Nashville, TN Hendersonville, TN

Sources & method. Hardiness zone: 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (PRISM Climate Group, Oregon State University). Frost dates & growing season: NOAA/NCEI 1991–2020 U.S. Climate Normals, nearest station with published freeze normals — Lookout Mtn-point Park, TN, 3 mi (confidence: high). Monthly weather normals: Chattanooga Lovell Ap, TN, 6.6 mi (confidence: high). ZIP centroid from U.S. Census 2023 ZCTA data. Frost dates are the 50%-probability date — half of years frost occurs outside the stated date. Nothing here is invented; where the nearest station is far, we say so. Last updated 2026-07-22.