Smithville 2 SE, TN Frost Dates & Growing Season

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

Last spring frost
Apr 18
~50% chance of frost after
First fall frost
Oct 22
~50% chance of frost before
Growing season
187 days
frost-free stretch
USDA zone
≈ 7b
estimated from nearby reference
Risky (1 year in 10)MedianSafe (9 years in 10)
Last spring frost Apr 2 Apr 18 May 2
First fall frost Nov 4 Oct 22 Oct 10
Hard freeze (28°F), median last Apr 4 · first Nov 1

Computed from NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals at the SMITHVILLE 2 SE 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 Smithville 2 SE

Computed from Smithville 2 SE'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 21 – Mar 7 Apr 25 – May 2
🫑 Peppers Feb 7 – Feb 21 May 2 – May 9
🥬 Lettuce Mar 7 – Mar 21 Mar 21 – Apr 4 Mar 21 – Apr 18
🫛 Peas Mar 7 – Mar 21
🥕 Carrots Mar 28 – Apr 18
🥦 Broccoli Feb 28 – Mar 14 Mar 28 – Apr 11
🥬 Kale Mar 7 – Mar 21 Mar 21 – Apr 4 Mar 21 – Apr 4
🥒 Cucumbers Mar 21 – Mar 28 Apr 25 – May 2 Apr 25 – May 2
🥒 Zucchini Mar 21 – Mar 28 Apr 25 – May 2 Apr 25 – May 2
🫘 Green Beans (Bush) Apr 25 – May 2
🌽 Sweet Corn Apr 25 – May 2
🌿 Basil Mar 7 – Mar 21 Apr 25 – May 2 May 2 – May 9
🧄 Garlic Fall: Sep 10 – Oct 8

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 Smithville 2 SE's dates automatically after a lookup.

Reading the season in Smithville 2 SE

Roughly 187 frost-free days gives Smithville 2 SE gardeners room for nearly every common vegetable. Warm-season crops go out after Apr 18; a fall garden sown in late summer matures comfortably before the Oct 22 frost.

Frequently asked questions

When is the last frost in Smithville 2 SE, TN?

The average last spring frost in Smithville 2 SE is around Apr 18, 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 Smithville 2 SE, TN?

The average first fall frost in Smithville 2 SE arrives around Oct 22. 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 Smithville 2 SE?

About 187 frost-free days on average, from Apr 18 to Oct 22. That fits nearly all common vegetables, though the longest-season melons and sweet potatoes benefit from transplants.

What USDA zone is Smithville 2 SE 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.