It may not feel like it amidTennessee's lingering summer heat, but cooler fall weather is just around the corner, and with it comes the season's first frost.
For gardeners, the first frost is more than just a sign of changing seasons. It can damage or kill sensitive plants, end the growing season for warm-weather vegetables and signal that it's time to take steps to protect outdoor landscaping.
Here's what to know about Tennessee's first frost dates and how to prepare.
When is the first day of fall?
The fall equinox, which marks the official start of autumn in the Northern Hemisphere, will occur at 7:04 p.m. CT on Sept. 22, according to The Old Farmer's Almanac.
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What is the 'first frost?'
The first frost generally occurs when temperatures near the ground fall low enough
for ice crystals to form on surfaces such as grass, leaves and windshields.
According to the Farmers' Almanac, frost can develop even when official air temperatures are between 33 and 36 degrees under clear, calm conditions because temperatures at ground level are often colder than readings taken several feet above the surface.
For gardeners, the Almanac's average first-frost dates are tied to a light freeze of 29 to 32 degrees, when tender vegetation can be damaged or killed.
A moderate freeze occurs at 25 to 28 degrees and can cause significant damage to many plants, while a hard or severe freeze of about 24 degrees or colder is likely to kill most unprotected tender vegetation.
When will Tennessee see its first frost?
According to the Farmers' Almanac, Tennessee's average first frost typically arrives between late October and mid-November, depending on location.
However, those dates are based on long-term climate averages and should not be viewed as a forecast for a specific night in 2026. The Almanac notes that the first frost can occur earlier or later than average due to factors such as weather patterns, elevation, proximity to water and local landscape conditions.
The published frost dates are derived from historical climate data and represent probabilities rather than guarantees, meaning frost remains possible both before and after the listed dates.
When does Nashville receive its first frost?
According to the Farmers' Almanac, the average first fall frost dates for Tennessee's largest cities are:
- Nashville: Oct. 26
- Knoxville: Oct. 28
- Chattanooga: Nov. 3
- Memphis: Nov. 4
The dates are based on historical climate averages and represent when each city typically experiences its first frost. Actual frost dates can vary from year to year depending on weather patterns and local conditions.
How to prepare for a frost
When temperatures are forecast to dip into the mid-30s, gardeners should begin preparing for the season's first frost.
The Farmers' Almanac recommends covering tender plants before sunset with breathable materials such as frost cloths, blankets or old sheets to help trap heat rising from the soil.
Watering the ground earlier in the day can also help, as moist soil retains and releases more heat overnight than dry soil.
Gardeners should also bring potted plants indoors because containers cool more quickly than the ground, and harvest frost-sensitive vegetables such as tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, beans and squash before freezing temperatures arrive.
It's also important to monitor low-lying areas of yards and gardens, where frost can develop even when temperatures in other spots remain above freezing.
Diana Leyva covers trending news and service journalism for The Tennessean. Contact her at Dleyva@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Tennessee's first frost could arrive next month. How to prepare
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