Winchester 5SE, TN Frost Dates & Growing Season

The two dates every Winchester 5SE garden is planned around, plus ready-computed planting windows for the most popular crops.

Last spring frost
Apr 6
~50% chance of frost after
First fall frost
Oct 29
~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 19 Apr 6 Apr 25
First fall frost Nov 11 Oct 29 Oct 16
Hard freeze (28°F), median last Mar 26 · first Nov 6

Computed from NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals at the WINCHESTER 5SE 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 Winchester 5SE

Computed from Winchester 5SE'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 9 – Feb 23 Apr 13 – Apr 20
🫑 Peppers Jan 26 – Feb 9 Apr 20 – Apr 27
🥬 Lettuce Feb 23 – Mar 9 Mar 9 – Mar 23 Mar 9 – Apr 6
🫛 Peas Feb 23 – Mar 9
🥕 Carrots Mar 16 – Apr 6
🥦 Broccoli Feb 16 – Mar 2 Mar 16 – Mar 30
🥬 Kale Feb 23 – Mar 9 Mar 9 – Mar 23 Mar 9 – Mar 23
🥒 Cucumbers Mar 9 – Mar 16 Apr 13 – Apr 20 Apr 13 – Apr 20
🥒 Zucchini Mar 9 – Mar 16 Apr 13 – Apr 20 Apr 13 – Apr 20
🫘 Green Beans (Bush) Apr 13 – Apr 20
🌽 Sweet Corn Apr 13 – Apr 20
🌿 Basil Feb 23 – Mar 9 Apr 13 – Apr 20 Apr 20 – Apr 27
🧄 Garlic Fall: Sep 17 – Oct 15

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 Winchester 5SE's dates automatically after a lookup.

Reading the season in Winchester 5SE

With roughly 206 frost-free days, Winchester 5SE 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 29 is late enough that fall planting is a full second season, not an afterthought.

Frequently asked questions

When is the last frost in Winchester 5SE, TN?

The average last spring frost in Winchester 5SE is around Apr 6, 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 Winchester 5SE, TN?

The average first fall frost in Winchester 5SE arrives around Oct 29. 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 Winchester 5SE?

About 206 frost-free days on average, from Apr 6 to Oct 29. That comfortably fits long-season crops like melons and winter squash, plus spring and fall plantings of cool-season vegetables.

What USDA zone is Winchester 5SE 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.