When to plant in McMinnville, TN
USDA Zone 7bHere are the average frost dates, USDA hardiness zone, and a month-by-month planting calendar for McMinnville, Tennessee — all computed from McMinnville's nearest NOAA weather station.
Zone 7b means many perennials and even some tender shrubs overwinter in McMinnville, while your frost dates still decide when annuals go out.
Frost probability
MC MINNVILLE · 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 McMinnville’s own odds, recorded at MC MINNVILLE.
| Threshold | SPRING 10% | SPRING 50% | SPRING 90% | FALL 10% | FALL 50% | FALL 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36°F | May 5 | Apr 19 | Apr 4 | Oct 8 | Oct 20 | Nov 1 |
| 32°F | Apr 23 | Apr 7 | Mar 20 | Oct 16 | Oct 30 | Nov 10 |
| 28°F | Apr 13 | Mar 27 | Mar 5 | Oct 25 | Nov 7 | Nov 25 |
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 McMinnville, drawn to the day from the local frost dates. The dashed line is today.
Nearby weather stations
3 within 28 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.
McMinnville planting FAQ
When is the last spring frost in McMinnville, TN?
On average, the last spring frost in McMinnville is around April 7 (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 McMinnville, TN?
In McMinnville, the first 32°F freeze of fall lands around October 30 on average. Time your last harvests and any season-extension cover before it.
What hardiness zone is McMinnville in?
McMinnville 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 McMinnville?
There are roughly 206 frost-free days in McMinnville (a moderate growing season), running from the average last frost around April 7 to the first fall frost near October 30.
When should I plant tomatoes in McMinnville?
In McMinnville, start tomato seeds indoors around February 10–February 24, then transplant seedlings outdoors around April 14 once the danger of frost has passed.
Never miss a window in McMinnville
An email when it’s time to start seeds, transplant, and sow — timed to McMinnville’s frost dates. Double opt-in, one-click unsubscribe, no spam.
Nearby cities
8 within reach- Manchester · 36 km
- Tullahoma · 53 km
- Cookeville · 57 km
- Murfreesboro · 61 km
- Shelbyville · 64 km
- Soddy-Daisy · 73 km
- Crossville · 74 km
- Smyrna · 74 km
Frost dates recorded at MC MINNVILLE, 2 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 McMinnville, TN — Frost Dates & Zone 7b." Frost normals: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station USC00405882. Retrieved from https://blissgarden.com/tennessee/mcminnville.