When is the last frost in Memphis, TN?

The average last spring frost (50% probability of 32°F) in Memphis is around March 19, based on NOAA/NCEI 1991–2020 normals at the W Memphis, AR station (7.4 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 Memphis?

The average first fall frost in Memphis, TN is around November 10, giving roughly a 235-day frost-free growing season.

What planting zone is Memphis, TN?

Memphis 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 Memphis?

In Memphis, TN the warmest month is July (avg high 90.6°F) and the coldest is January (avg low 31.1°F). It averages about 55.9″ of precipitation a year and 1.7″ of snow.

Home › Tennessee › Memphis

Memphis, TN Planting Calendar & Frost Dates

USDA hardiness zone 8a · ZIP 38103 · elevation 66′ · NOAA & USDA data

Memphis is in USDA hardiness zone 8a (winters can dip to 10 to 15°F), with a growing season of about 235 days between the average last spring frost (March 19) and first fall frost (November 10). The warmest month is July (avg high 90.6°F); the coldest is January (avg low 31.1°F). It averages 55.9″ of precipitation a year and 1.7″ 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 19

avg (50% prob, 32°F)

First fall frost

November 10

avg (50% prob, 32°F)

Growing season

235 days

frost-free window

Warmest month

July

avg high 90.6°F

Month-by-month typical weather in Memphis

Average conditions from the NOAA/NCEI 1991–2020 U.S. Climate Normals at W Memphis, AR (7.4 mi away). Temperatures °F, precipitation & snow in inches.

Month	Avg high	Avg low	Mean	Precip (in)	Snow (in)
January	48.5	31.1	39.8	4.4	0.5
February	53.6	34.1	43.8	4.4	0.7
March	62.1	42.3	52.2	5.8	0.3
April	71.9	51.3	61.6	5.8	0
May	80.4	61.2	70.8	5.9	0
June	88.2	69.4	78.8	4	0
July	90.6	72.7	81.7	4.2	0
August	90.3	71.1	80.7	3.1	0
September	85.4	64.1	74.8	3.3	0
October	74.7	51.8	63.3	4.4	0
November	61.7	41.6	51.6	4.8	0
December	51.6	34.5	43.1	5.6	0.2

What to plant when in Memphis

Crop	Season	What to do & when
Tomatoes	warm	Start seeds indoors: February 5 · Transplant out: March 26
Peppers	warm	Start seeds indoors: January 22 · Transplant out: April 2
Cucumbers	warm	Direct sow: March 26
Zucchini / squash	warm	Direct sow: March 26
Bush beans	warm	Direct sow: March 26
Sweet corn	warm	Direct sow: March 26
Basil	warm	Transplant out: March 26
Peas	cool	Sow (spring): February 12 · Sow (fall): September 15
Spinach	cool	Sow (spring): February 5 · Sow (fall): September 15
Lettuce	cool	Sow (spring): February 19 · Sow (fall): September 15
Kale	cool	Transplant (spring): February 26 · Sow (fall): September 1
Broccoli	cool	Transplant (spring): March 5
Carrots	cool	Sow (spring): February 26 · Sow (fall): September 1
Onions	cool	Transplant (spring): February 19
Potatoes	cool	Plant seed potatoes: March 5
Radishes	cool	Sow (spring): February 19 · Sow (fall): September 29

Dates are computed from Memphis'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.

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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

Germantown, TN Collierville, TN Jackson, TN Clarksville, TN Franklin, TN Brentwood, TN Nashville, TN Smyrna, 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 — W Memphis, AR, 7.4 mi (confidence: high). Monthly weather normals: W Memphis, AR, 7.4 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.