Best Time for Outdoor Projects in Tennessee

Tennessee weather and outdoor projects

Tennessee has hot, humid summers and mild to cool winters, with plenty of rain, especially in winter and spring. Memphis in the west is the hottest and most humid, Nashville in the middle has frequent storms in spring, and East Tennessee is milder in summer and cooler at higher elevations.

Fall is often the best season for outdoor projects. Spring works between storms. Humid summer nights can bring dew on fresh finishes, so start early. Ice and freeze-thaw cycles occur most winters, so protect new concrete on cold nights.

Frost dates in Tennessee

In Nashville, the median last spring freeze (32°F) is around March 31 and the median first fall freeze is around November 3, a frost-free season of about 217 days.

In Memphis, the median last spring freeze (32°F) is around March 16 and the median first fall freeze is around November 16, a frost-free season of about 244 days.

How Tennessee compares with other states

Nashville is tied for the 7th-most rainy days of the 50 state main stations (81 a year with 0.1 in or more). Nashville is tied for the 14th-shortest deck staining season of the 50 state main stations (4 good months). Nashville has the 15th-most days at 90°F or hotter of the 50 state main stations (54 a year).

Best time to stain a deck in Tennessee

In Nashville, the most reliable months are April–May and September–October. March, June–August and November can also work on the right days. December–February is too cold, with average highs around 52°F. In March, nights average about 40°F, so finish early on mild days and check the overnight low. June–August is hot, with highs near 90°F, so start early and keep out of full afternoon sun. November is cool, with highs around 61°F, so choose the warmest afternoons.

In Memphis, the most reliable months are April–May and September–October. March, June–August and November can also work on the right days. December–January is too cold, with average highs around 52°F. In February, nights average about 37°F, too cold for the coating to dry and cure overnight. In March and November, nights average about 44°F, so finish early on mild days and check the overnight low. June–August is hot, with highs near 91°F, so start early and keep out of full afternoon sun.

Deck staining forecast →

Best time to paint outside in Tennessee

In Nashville, the most reliable months are April–May and September–October. February–March, June–August and November–December can also work on the right days. January is too cold, with average highs around 49°F. February and December are cool, with highs around 53°F, so choose the warmest afternoons. In March and November, nights average about 40°F, so finish early on mild days and check the overnight low. June–August is hot, with highs near 90°F, so start early and keep out of full afternoon sun.

In Memphis, the most reliable months are April–May and September–October. June–August and November–March can also work on the right days. December–February is cool, with highs around 53°F, so choose the warmest afternoons. In March and November, nights average about 44°F, so finish early on mild days and check the overnight low. June–August is hot, with highs near 91°F, so start early and keep out of full afternoon sun.

Exterior painting forecast →

Best time to pour concrete in Tennessee

In Nashville, the most reliable months are April–October. March can also work on the right days (average highs Mar 63°F). November–February averages about 14 nights a month at or below 32°F, so fresh concrete needs blankets or heated enclosures. March brings about 7 freezing nights a month, so pick a mild spell and keep curing blankets on hand.

In Memphis, the most reliable months are April–October. March and November can also work on the right days (average highs Mar 64°F, Nov 63°F). December–February averages about 12 nights a month at or below 32°F, so fresh concrete needs blankets or heated enclosures. March and November bring about 4 freezing nights a month, so pick a mild spell and keep curing blankets on hand.

Concrete pouring forecast →

Best time to seal a driveway in Tennessee

In Nashville, the most reliable months are May–September. April and October can also work on the right days (average highs Apr 73°F, Oct 74°F). December–February is too cold, with average highs around 52°F. In March and November, nights average about 40°F, too cold for the coating to dry and cure overnight. In April and October, nights average about 49°F, so finish early on mild days and check the overnight low.

In Memphis, the most reliable months are April–October. March and November can also work on the right days (average highs Mar 64°F, Nov 63°F). December–February is too cold, with average highs around 53°F. March and November are cool, with highs around 63°F, so choose the warmest afternoons.

Driveway sealing forecast →

Best time to fertilize or treat a lawn in Tennessee

In Nashville, the most reliable months are March–May and September–November. February, June–August and December can also work on the right days. January is too cold, with average highs around 49°F. February and December are cool, with highs around 53°F, so choose the warmest afternoons. June–August is hot, with highs near 90°F, so start early and keep out of full afternoon sun.

In Memphis, the most reliable months are March–May and September–November. June–August and December–February can also work on the right days. December–February is cool, with highs around 53°F, so choose the warmest afternoons. June–August is hot, with highs near 91°F, so start early and keep out of full afternoon sun.

Lawn fertilizer forecast →

How the weather differs across Tennessee

Monthly weather in Nashville

*Days with 0.1 inch of rain or more; column notes.

Monthly weather in Memphis