When to plant in Franklin, TN
USDA Zone 7bHere are the average frost dates, USDA hardiness zone, and a month-by-month planting calendar for Franklin, Tennessee — all computed from Franklin's nearest NOAA weather station.
Zone 7b means many perennials and even some tender shrubs overwinter in Franklin, while your frost dates still decide when annuals go out.
The average last spring frost in Franklin is now 6 days earlier than in the 1981–2010 normals. See how frost dates are shifting nationwide →
Frost probability
FRANKLIN SEWAGE PLT · 1991–2020The date the last spring and first fall frost occur, by threshold and probability. A 90% date is later in spring — and earlier in fall — than a 10% date; the 50% · 32°F row is what most gardeners plan around. These are Franklin’s own odds, recorded at FRANKLIN SEWAGE PLT.
| Threshold | SPRING 10% | SPRING 50% | SPRING 90% | FALL 10% | FALL 50% | FALL 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36°F | May 2 | Apr 16 | Mar 31 | Oct 10 | Oct 22 | Nov 3 |
| 32°F | Apr 20 | Apr 3 | Mar 17 | Oct 18 | Oct 31 | Nov 13 |
| 28°F | Apr 8 | Mar 22 | Mar 2 | Oct 30 | Nov 10 | Nov 30 |
Download this table as CSV ↓ — every threshold and probability, plus this city’s planting-window dates.
What to plant now
TODAY · JULY 19Full-year planting calendar
Each bar is the exact window to take a planting action in Franklin, drawn to the day from the local frost dates. The dashed line is today.
Nearby weather stations
3 within 17 km · complete 32°F normalsWhen stations disagree by more than a few days, that spread is real microclimate variation — elevation, water, urban heat. Judge which station best matches your own yard.
Franklin planting FAQ
When is the last spring frost in Franklin, TN?
On average, the last spring frost in Franklin is around April 3 (50% probability at 32°F, from 1991–2020 NOAA normals). Wait until after this date to set out tender plants like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first fall frost in Franklin, TN?
In Franklin, the first 32°F freeze of fall lands around October 31 on average. Time your last harvests and any season-extension cover before it.
What hardiness zone is Franklin in?
Franklin is in USDA hardiness zone 7b. In zone 7b, winters are moderate — most common vegetables grow well in season.
How long is the growing season in Franklin?
There are roughly 211 frost-free days in Franklin (a long growing season), running from the average last frost around April 3 to the first fall frost near October 31.
When should I plant tomatoes in Franklin?
In Franklin, start tomato seeds indoors around February 6–February 20, then transplant seedlings outdoors around April 10 once the danger of frost has passed.
Never miss a window in Franklin
An email when it’s time to start seeds, transplant, and sow — timed to Franklin’s frost dates. Double opt-in, one-click unsubscribe, no spam.
Nearby cities
8 within reach- Brentwood · 12 km
- Nolensville · 17 km
- Spring Hill · 20 km
- Fairview · 26 km
- La Vergne · 29 km
- Nashville-Davidson · 29 km
- Smyrna · 30 km
- Columbia · 36 km
Frost dates recorded at FRANKLIN SEWAGE PLT, 3 km from the city center · 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals · zone from the USDA/PRISM 2023 map. How we compute this.
BlissGarden. "When to Plant in Franklin, TN — Frost Dates & Zone 7b." Frost normals: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station USC00403280. Retrieved from https://blissgarden.com/tennessee/franklin.