When to plant in Lakeland, TN
USDA Zone 8aEverything below — frost dates, hardiness zone, and what to plant when in Lakeland, Tennessee — is derived from the closest NOAA station with complete climate normals.
Lakeland's nearest full-normals station sits about 16 km out, so treat these as a close estimate — local microclimate can nudge your first and last frost. Zone 8a means many perennials and even some tender shrubs overwinter in Lakeland, while your frost dates still decide when annuals go out.
Frost probability
MEMPHIS WFO · 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 Lakeland’s own odds, recorded at MEMPHIS WFO.
| Threshold | SPRING 10% | SPRING 50% | SPRING 90% | FALL 10% | FALL 50% | FALL 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36°F | Apr 25 | Apr 9 | Mar 23 | Oct 15 | Oct 27 | Nov 10 |
| 32°F | Apr 13 | Mar 29 | Mar 9 | Oct 25 | Nov 5 | Nov 22 |
| 28°F | Apr 2 | Mar 15 | Feb 26 | Nov 2 | Nov 17 | Dec 5 |
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 Lakeland, drawn to the day from the local frost dates. The dashed line is today.
Nearby weather stations
3 within 21 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.
Lakeland planting FAQ
When is the last spring frost in Lakeland, TN?
Lakeland's average last spring frost falls near March 29 — the 50% mark at 32°F in the 1991–2020 normals. Hold tender transplants until the risk has passed, then plant out.
When is the first fall frost in Lakeland, TN?
Expect Lakeland's first fall frost near November 5 — a 50% chance of 32°F by that date. Bring in or cover tender crops ahead of it.
What hardiness zone is Lakeland in?
Lakeland is in USDA hardiness zone 8a. In zone 8a, winters are mild — many tender perennials overwinter here.
How long is the growing season in Lakeland?
There are roughly 221 frost-free days in Lakeland (a long growing season), running from the average last frost around March 29 to the first fall frost near November 5.
When should I plant tomatoes in Lakeland?
In Lakeland, start tomato seeds indoors around February 1–February 15, then transplant seedlings outdoors around April 5 once the danger of frost has passed.
Never miss a window in Lakeland
An email when it’s time to start seeds, transplant, and sow — timed to Lakeland’s frost dates. Double opt-in, one-click unsubscribe, no spam.
Nearby cities
8 within reach- Arlington · 6 km
- Bartlett · 9 km
- Millington · 18 km
- Atoka · 19 km
- Germantown · 21 km
- Collierville · 24 km
- Memphis · 28 km
- Olive Branch · 36 km
Frost dates recorded at MEMPHIS WFO, 16 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 Lakeland, TN — Frost Dates & Zone 8a." Frost normals: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station USC00405956. Retrieved from https://blissgarden.com/tennessee/lakeland.