Fall in zone 7bPhoto: Dietmar Rabich, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Frost dates for ZIP 38253 (Rives, TN)
Average last spring and first fall frost dates with 10%, 50% and 90% odds, from NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the nearest weather station, Union City, TN (6 miles away).
- Average last spring frostApr 350% chance of a 32°F freeze after this date
- Average first fall frostOct 2950% chance of a 32°F freeze by this date
- Growing season (frost-free)208 daysmedian, 32°F threshold
- USDA hardiness zone7b5 to 10°F avg. coldest night
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This week in your yard
As of Oct 18, 2026, from your frost dates, zone and soil temperature. Lawn timing · Vegetables · Pruning · Plants
Soil temperature now
2-inch depth
64°F 55°F or warmer
24-hour average · latest 59°F, as of Oct 18, 2:00 AM CDT
Estimate Not a measurement at this ZIP: distance-weighted average of Dexter (59 mi).
4-inch depth
66°F 55°F or warmer
24-hour average · latest 62°F, as of Oct 18, 2:00 AM CDT
Estimate Not a measurement at this ZIP: distance-weighted average of Dexter (59 mi).
Fall: Texas A&M AgriLife times fall pre-emergent (for winter weeds such as annual bluegrass) to soil cooling to about 70°F for several days. The 50–55°F band is the spring trigger. Always read and follow the product label.
7-day forecast and frost risk
The latest National Weather Service 7-day forecast and any Frost Advisory or Freeze Warning for 38253 load here. You can also open the NWS forecast for this ZIP.
Pre-emergent
Soil is 66°F at 4 inches (estimated soil temperature, not a station reading). Fall pre-emergent (annual bluegrass, winter weeds): window open as soil cools through the 70s and 60s.
Fertilizer window
Lawn region: Transition zone. Timing only; always follow the product label.
- Bermudagrass (warm-season): Spring: Several weeks after the lawn is fully green (April–May) (about May 19 here, using green-up about 3–4 weeks after your average last frost); Summer: Every 4–6 weeks through mid-August (heaviest feeder of the group); Late: Light, low-nitrogen/high-potassium feeding about 4 weeks before first frost, or skip. Avoid: Heavy late-fall nitrogen (linked to spring dead spot).
- Tall fescue (cool-season): Early fall: September (main feeding); Late fall: November, while still green; Late winter: Optional light feeding February–March. Avoid: Feeding after mid-spring and through summer in the transition zone (stress and brown patch).
Plant now
No vegetable planting windows are open this week.
Prune now
No frost-timed pruning windows are open this week.
Your average first frost is Oct 29: skip heavy pruning in the 6–8 weeks before it, because new growth may not harden off in time.
Spring-flowering shrubs are pruned right after their flowers fade, not by date. See the pruning guide.
Last spring frost odds
| Chance of a 32°F freeze after this date | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early: most years still freeze after this) | Mar 18 |
| 50% (the "average" last frost) | Apr 3 |
| 10% (cautious: only 1 year in 10 freezes later) | Apr 19 |
Most gardeners plant frost-tender crops (tomatoes, peppers, basil) after the 50% date, and closer to the 10% date for less risk.
First fall frost odds
| Chance the first 32°F freeze has happened by this date | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early: 1 year in 10 freezes this soon) | Oct 17 |
| 50% (the "average" first frost) | Oct 29 |
| 90% (late: most years have frozen by now) | Nov 10 |
Light frost, freeze and hard freeze
| Threshold | Last spring (50%) | First fall (50%) |
|---|---|---|
| 36°F (light frost possible on clear, calm nights) | Apr 15 | Oct 19 |
| 32°F (freeze) | Apr 3 | Oct 29 |
| 28°F (hard freeze) | Mar 22 | Nov 7 |
n/a means NOAA did not publish a date at that threshold for this station (usually because it rarely gets that cold).
Vegetable planting calendar for 38253
Dates count from your average last spring frost (Apr 3) and first fall frost (Oct 29). Half of years have a frost after the spring date, so give tender crops (tomatoes, peppers, squash) some slack.
| Crop | Start indoors | Spring planting | Fall planting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tomato | Feb 6–20 | Apr 10–24 (transplant) | – |
| Pepper (sweet and hot) | Jan 23–Feb 6 | Apr 17–May 1 (transplant) | – |
| Eggplant | Jan 23–Feb 6 | Apr 17–May 1 (transplant) | – |
| Tomatillo | Feb 6–20 | Apr 10–24 (transplant) | – |
| Lettuce | Feb 6–20 | Mar 13–Apr 3 (transplant) Mar 6–Apr 17 (sow outdoors) | Sep 3–24 (transplant) Aug 20–Sep 17 (sowing) |
| Spinach | – | Feb 20–Mar 13 (sow outdoors) | Sep 3–24 (sowing) |
| Kale | Feb 6–20 | Mar 6–20 (transplant) Mar 6–20 (sow outdoors) | Aug 6–Sep 3 (transplant) Jul 23–Aug 20 (sowing) |
| Collards | Feb 6–20 | Mar 6–Apr 3 (transplant) Mar 6–Apr 3 (sow outdoors) | Aug 6–Sep 3 (transplant) Jul 23–Aug 20 (sowing) |
| Broccoli | Jan 23–Feb 6 | Mar 6–20 (transplant) | Jul 23–Aug 20 (transplant) |
| Cabbage | Jan 23–Feb 6 | Mar 6–20 (transplant) | Jul 23–Aug 20 (transplant) |
| Cauliflower | Jan 23–Feb 6 | Mar 20–Apr 3 (transplant) | Jul 23–Aug 20 (transplant) |
| Brussels sprouts | Jan 9–23 | Mar 6–20 (transplant) | Jul 9–30 (transplant) |
| Kohlrabi | Feb 6–20 | Mar 6–20 (transplant) Mar 6–20 (sow outdoors) | Aug 20–Sep 3 (sowing) |
| Bok choy / Asian greens | – | Mar 6–20 (sow outdoors) | Sep 3–17 (sowing) |
| Arugula | – | Mar 6–Apr 3 (sow outdoors) | Sep 3–Oct 1 (sowing) |
| Mustard greens | – | Mar 6–27 (sow outdoors) | Sep 3–17 (sowing) |
| Swiss chard | Feb 20–Mar 6 | Mar 20–Apr 10 (transplant) Mar 20–Apr 17 (sow outdoors) | Aug 20–Sep 3 (sowing) |
| Beet | – | Mar 6–Apr 3 (sow outdoors) | Aug 20–Sep 3 (sowing) |
| Carrot | – | Mar 13–Apr 10 (sow outdoors) | Aug 6–20 (sowing) |
| Radish | – | Feb 27–Apr 10 (sow outdoors) | Sep 17–Oct 1 (sowing) |
| Turnip | – | Mar 6–27 (sow outdoors) | Aug 20–Sep 3 (sowing) |
| Parsnip | – | Mar 13–Apr 3 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pea (garden, snap, snow) | – | Feb 6–Mar 6 (sow outdoors) | Aug 6–20 (sowing) |
| Onion (bulbing) | Jan 9–23 | Feb 20–Mar 6 (transplant) | – |
| Green onion / scallion | – | Feb 20–Mar 20 (sow outdoors) | Aug 20–Sep 3 (sowing) |
| Leek | Jan 9–23 | Mar 6–20 (transplant) | – |
| Garlic | – | – | Sep 17–Oct 15 (sowing) |
| Shallot | – | Feb 20–Mar 6 (transplant) | Sep 17–Oct 15 (sowing) |
| Potato | – | Mar 6–20 (transplant) | Jul 9–23 (transplant) |
| Sweet potato | – | Apr 24–May 8 (transplant) | – |
| Sweet corn | – | Apr 10–24 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Bean, bush (snap) | – | Apr 10–24 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Bean, pole | – | Apr 10–24 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Lima bean | – | Apr 17–May 1 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Southern pea (cowpea, black-eyed pea) | – | Apr 24–May 15 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cucumber | Mar 6–13 | Apr 10–24 (transplant) Apr 10–24 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Summer squash / zucchini | Mar 6–13 | Apr 10–24 (transplant) Apr 10–24 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Winter squash | Mar 6–13 | Apr 10–24 (transplant) Apr 10–24 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pumpkin | – | Apr 10–24 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Watermelon | Mar 6–13 | Apr 17–May 1 (transplant) Apr 17–May 1 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cantaloupe / muskmelon | Mar 6–13 | Apr 17–May 1 (transplant) Apr 17–May 1 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Okra | Feb 20–Mar 6 | Apr 17–May 1 (transplant) Apr 17–May 1 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Celery | Jan 9–23 | Apr 10–17 (transplant) | – |
| Basil | Feb 20–Mar 6 | Apr 10–24 (transplant) Apr 10–24 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cilantro | – | Mar 20–Apr 17 (sow outdoors) | Sep 3–17 (sowing) |
| Parsley | Jan 23–Feb 6 | Mar 20–Apr 3 (transplant) Mar 13–Apr 3 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Dill | – | Apr 3–17 (sow outdoors) | Sep 3–17 (sowing) |
| Sunflower | – | Apr 3–17 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Asparagus (crowns) | – | Mar 6–20 (transplant) | – |
| Rhubarb (crowns) | – | Mar 6–20 (transplant) | – |
| Strawberry (plants) | – | Mar 6–20 (transplant) | Aug 20–Sep 17 (transplant) |
Typical ranges from university extension planting calendars, adjusted to your frost dates. Probabilities, not guarantees. Fall windows that would overlap spring planting are left out, as are fall crops of frost-tender plants where the frost-free season is under 210 days.
Where these numbers come from
Station: Union City, TN (NOAA GHCN-Daily ID USC00409219), elevation 350 ft, 6.0 miles from the ZIP's center point. NOAA completeness flag: S (standard, 24+ years).
Nearby stations
| Station | Distance | Last frost (50%) | First frost (50%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Martin U Of T Branch E, TN | 11 mi | Apr 4 | Oct 28 |
| Samburg Wr, TN | 17 mi | Apr 3 | Nov 1 |
| Dresden, TN | 20 mi | Apr 3 | Nov 1 |
The average last-frost dates of these stations span 1 days, a rough guide to local variation. See data sources & methods.
Frost questions for 38253
When is the last frost in 38253?
The average (50% chance) last spring freeze of 32°F for ZIP 38253 is April 3. For a more cautious planting date, use April 19, when only 1 year in 10 still sees a later freeze.
When is the first frost in 38253?
The average first fall freeze is October 29. In 1 year in 10 it comes by October 17.
What hardiness zone is 38253?
ZIP 38253 is in USDA zone 7b (5 to 10°F average coldest winter night), per the 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map ZIP listing.
What is the soil temperature in 38253 right now?
This page shows the latest 2-inch and 4-inch soil temperature from the nearest public soil station (USDA SCAN, NOAA USCRN or TexMesonet), or a labeled estimate when no station is close, against the 50–55°F spring pre-emergent band.
Nearby ZIP codes
38233 Kenton 38261 Union City 38260 Troy 38259 Trimble 38255 Sharon 38237 Martin 38369 Rutherford 38257 South Fulton
Other ZIP codes in Obion County
38232 38240 38254 38257 38259 38260 38261 All Obion County frost dates · Tennessee frost dates
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Weekly yard timing, plus frost and soil-temperature alerts for your ZIP code.
- Freeze alerts
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Free. One weekly email plus alerts when your ZIP has a frost or a soil-temperature change worth acting on. After you submit, Kit (our email provider) sends a confirmation email: check your email and click the link to confirm. You aren't subscribed until you do. We collect only your email address and ZIP, sent to Kit to deliver The Dial. Unsubscribe anytime.