Last frost date in Shelbyville, TN
In Shelbyville, the last spring frost comes around April 7 in an average year. Wait until April 23 if you want 90% odds of no more frost. The first fall frost usually arrives about October 29, which leaves 204 frost-free days. An early freeze before October 16 happens one year in ten.
- Safe after (10% risk)
- Apr 23
- Average first frost
- Oct 29
- Frost-free season
- 204 days
- Hard freeze (28°F) ends
- Mar 27
No frost in the next 7 nights
National Weather Service forecast, updated Oct 22, 12:57 UTC
- ThuOct 2242°
- FriOct 2344°
- SatOct 2442°
- SunOct 2542°
- MonOct 2644°
- TueOct 2746°
- WedOct 2844°
Planting calendar for Shelbyville
Windows count forward or back from the average frost dates above. Click a crop for dates across Tennessee.
TomatoesApr 14–Apr 28
PumpkinsApr 21–May 5
SunflowersApr 7–Apr 28
CucumbersApr 21–Apr 28
CornApr 14–Apr 28
Sweet potatoesApr 28–May 12
WatermelonApr 21–May 5
Green beansApr 14–May 5
ZucchiniApr 14–Apr 28
OkraApr 28–May 12
PeppersApr 21–May 5
BasilApr 14–Apr 28
Butternut squashApr 14–Apr 28
CantaloupeApr 21–May 5
EggplantApr 21–May 5
PotatoesMar 10–Mar 24
OnionsFeb 24–Mar 17
CarrotsMar 17–Apr 21
LettuceMar 24–Apr 14
BroccoliMar 10–Mar 24
BeetsMar 10–Apr 21
PeasFeb 24–Mar 10
CabbageMar 10–Mar 24
RadishesMar 3–Apr 14
Brussels sproutsMar 24–Apr 7
SpinachFeb 24–Mar 17
CilantroMar 24–Apr 14
KaleMar 10–Mar 24
Collard greensMar 10–Mar 24
TurnipsMar 10–Mar 24
DillApr 7–Apr 21
CeleryApr 14–Apr 21
CauliflowerMar 24–Apr 7
LeeksMar 24–Apr 7
Swiss chardMar 24–Apr 21
ParsleyMar 24–Apr 14
Tulip bulbsOct 15–Nov 19
GarlicOct 8–Nov 12
Daffodil bulbsOct 1–Nov 12
StrawberriesMar 10–Mar 24
AsparagusMar 10–Mar 24Frost probabilities
| Threshold | Spring, 90% chance later | Spring, 50% | Spring, 10% | Fall, 10% chance earlier | Fall, 50% | Fall, 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Light frost, 32°F | Mar 19 | Apr 7 | Apr 23 | Oct 16 | Oct 29 | Nov 11 |
| Hard freeze, 28°F | Mar 6 | Mar 27 | Apr 12 | Oct 26 | Nov 6 | Nov 25 |
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 Shelbyville Water Dept (USC00408246) sits 1.5 miles from the center of Shelbyville at 760 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 Shelbyville, TN?
The average last frost date in Shelbyville is April 7, based on NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals. There is a 10% chance of frost after April 23.
When is the first frost in Shelbyville?
The first frost in fall usually comes around October 29. One year in ten it arrives before October 16.
How long is the growing season in Shelbyville?
About 204 days between the average last and first frost.
When should I plant tomatoes in Shelbyville?
Plant tomato seedlings outside from April 14 to April 28. Start seeds indoors six to eight weeks earlier.
Nearby in Tennessee
- TullahomaApr 6
- MurfreesboroApr 9
- Spring HillApr 3
- SmyrnaApr 13
- ColumbiaApr 10
- FranklinApr 3
- La VergneApr 13
- BrentwoodApr 15
- Mount JulietApr 1
- LebanonApr 6
- NashvilleApr 1
- HendersonvilleApr 11