Last frost date in Memphis, TN

Average last frost

March 16

In Memphis, the last spring frost comes around March 16 in an average year. Wait until April 4 if you want 90% odds of no more frost. The first fall frost usually arrives about November 16, which leaves 244 frost-free days. An early freeze before November 2 happens one year in ten.

Safe after (10% risk): Apr 4
Average first frost: Nov 16
Frost-free season: 244 days
Hard freeze (28°F) ends: Mar 4

Next 7 nights in Memphis

No frost in the next 7 nights

National Weather Service forecast, updated Oct 22, 12:57 UTC

ThuOct 2253°
FriOct 2353°
SatOct 2453°
SunOct 2553°
MonOct 2652°
TueOct 2753°
WedOct 2852°

Frost risk through the year at Memphis International Airport, 3.8 miles from Memphis.

Planting calendar for Memphis

Windows count forward or back from the average frost dates above. Click a crop for dates across Tennessee.

Start indoorsPlant outSow outdoorsFall plantingAverage last and first frost

Warm-season crops

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

TomatoesMar 23–Apr 6

PumpkinsMar 30–Apr 13

SunflowersMar 16–Apr 6

CucumbersMar 30–Apr 6

CornMar 23–Apr 6

Sweet potatoesApr 6–Apr 20

WatermelonMar 30–Apr 13

Green beansMar 23–Apr 13

ZucchiniMar 23–Apr 6

OkraApr 6–Apr 20

PeppersMar 30–Apr 13

BasilMar 23–Apr 6

Butternut squashMar 23–Apr 6

CantaloupeMar 30–Apr 13

EggplantMar 30–Apr 13

Cool-season crops

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PotatoesFeb 16–Mar 2

OnionsFeb 2–Feb 23

CarrotsFeb 23–Mar 30

LettuceMar 2–Mar 23

BroccoliFeb 16–Mar 2

BeetsFeb 16–Mar 30

PeasFeb 2–Feb 16

CabbageFeb 16–Mar 2

RadishesFeb 9–Mar 23

Brussels sproutsMar 2–Mar 16

SpinachFeb 2–Feb 23

CilantroMar 2–Mar 23

KaleFeb 16–Mar 2

Collard greensFeb 16–Mar 2

TurnipsFeb 16–Mar 2

DillMar 16–Mar 30

CeleryMar 23–Mar 30

CauliflowerMar 2–Mar 16

LeeksMar 2–Mar 16

Swiss chardMar 2–Mar 30

ParsleyMar 2–Mar 23

Fall bulbs and garlic

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Tulip bulbsNov 2–Dec 7

GarlicOct 26–Nov 30

Daffodil bulbsOct 19–Nov 30

Perennials

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

StrawberriesFeb 16–Mar 2

AsparagusFeb 16–Mar 2

Frost probabilities

Threshold	Spring, 90% chance later	Spring, 50%	Spring, 10%	Fall, 10% chance earlier	Fall, 50%	Fall, 90%
Light frost, 32°F	Feb 27	Mar 16	Apr 4	Nov 2	Nov 16	Dec 3
Hard freeze, 28°F	Feb 13	Mar 4	Mar 23	Nov 10	Nov 28	Dec 18

Read the spring 10% column as the date after which only one year in ten still gets frost. That is the safer date for tomatoes, peppers and basil.

Where these numbers come from

NOAA station Memphis International Airport (USW00013893) sits 3.8 miles from the center of Memphis at 254 feet. Its averages cover 1991 to 2020. Low spots, valleys and open fields can keep getting frost a week or two after the station stops; city centers and lakeshores usually get less of it.

Questions

When is the last frost in Memphis, TN?

The average last frost date in Memphis is March 16, based on NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals. There is a 10% chance of frost after April 4.

When is the first frost in Memphis?

The first frost in fall usually comes around November 16. One year in ten it arrives before November 2.

How long is the growing season in Memphis?

About 244 days between the average last and first frost.

When should I plant tomatoes in Memphis?

Plant tomato seedlings outside from March 23 to April 6. Start seeds indoors six to eight weeks earlier.

Nearby in Tennessee

All 33 cities in Tennessee