Rockwood 2, TN Frost Dates & Growing Season

The two dates every Rockwood 2 garden is planned around, plus ready-computed planting windows for the most popular crops.

Last spring frost
Apr 8
~50% chance of frost after
First fall frost
Oct 31
~50% chance of frost before
Growing season
206 days
frost-free stretch
USDA zone
≈ 7b
estimated from nearby reference
Risky (1 year in 10)MedianSafe (9 years in 10)
Last spring frost Mar 22 Apr 8 Apr 26
First fall frost Nov 12 Oct 31 Oct 18
Hard freeze (28°F), median last Mar 27 · first Nov 9

Computed from NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals at the ROCKWOOD 2 station. "Safe" means frost past that date happens only about one year in ten. Your exact garden can still run days either way with elevation and terrain — check your own ZIP with the frost date lookup.

Planting windows for Rockwood 2

Computed from Rockwood 2's own frost dates. Click any crop for the full zone-7 growing guide — varieties, spacing, fall plantings, and more.

CropStart seeds indoorsTransplantDirect sow
🍅 Tomatoes Feb 11 – Feb 25 Apr 15 – Apr 22
🫑 Peppers Jan 28 – Feb 11 Apr 22 – Apr 29
🥬 Lettuce Feb 25 – Mar 11 Mar 11 – Mar 25 Mar 11 – Apr 8
🫛 Peas Feb 25 – Mar 11
🥕 Carrots Mar 18 – Apr 8
🥦 Broccoli Feb 18 – Mar 4 Mar 18 – Apr 1
🥬 Kale Feb 25 – Mar 11 Mar 11 – Mar 25 Mar 11 – Mar 25
🥒 Cucumbers Mar 11 – Mar 18 Apr 15 – Apr 22 Apr 15 – Apr 22
🥒 Zucchini Mar 11 – Mar 18 Apr 15 – Apr 22 Apr 15 – Apr 22
🫘 Green Beans (Bush) Apr 15 – Apr 22
🌽 Sweet Corn Apr 15 – Apr 22
🌿 Basil Feb 25 – Mar 11 Apr 15 – Apr 22 Apr 22 – Apr 29
🧄 Garlic Fall: Sep 19 – Oct 17

Want this for all 50 crops, or as a printable seed-shelf schedule? Use the planting calendar and the seed starting scheduler — both can use Rockwood 2's dates automatically after a lookup.

Reading the season in Rockwood 2

With roughly 206 frost-free days, Rockwood 2 gardens fit long-season crops — melons, winter squash, sweet potatoes — with room left for spring and fall rounds of greens and roots. The first frost around Oct 31 is late enough that fall planting is a full second season, not an afterthought.

Frequently asked questions

When is the last frost in Rockwood 2, TN?

The average last spring frost in Rockwood 2 is around Apr 8, based on 1991–2020 climate normals. That's a median — about half of years see a later frost, so tender crops are safest going out a week or two after this date.

When is the first frost in Rockwood 2, TN?

The average first fall frost in Rockwood 2 arrives around Oct 31. Crops still in the garden need to mature before then, and frost-tender plants need harvesting or protection as the date approaches.

How long is the growing season in Rockwood 2?

About 206 frost-free days on average, from Apr 8 to Oct 31. That comfortably fits long-season crops like melons and winter squash, plus spring and fall plantings of cool-season vegetables.

What USDA zone is Rockwood 2 in?

USDA zone 7b on the 2023 Plant Hardiness Zone Map. Note that zones describe winter cold, not frost timing — these frost dates are the numbers to plan plantings around.