Frost dates for 37604 — Johnson City, TN
Last spring frostApr 19median date
First fall frostOct 24median date
Growing season188 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone7bZone 7b
How Johnson City compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Johnson City falls between April 2 and May 7, a 35-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 10 and November 5.
- The median last frost is 12 days later than the Tennessee median of Apr 7.
- Its 188-day growing season is longer than 14% of the 548 Tennessee places with a regular frost season (state median 206 days).
- The last frost is 14 days later than the zone 7b median of Apr 5. Hardiness zones measure winter cold, not season length, so use these dates rather than a zone 7b chart.
- The weather station records an average of 94 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Asheville, NC, 80 km away, the last frost here is 13 days later than there and the growing season is 20 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 2 |
| 50% (median) | April 19 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 7 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 10 |
| 50% (median) | October 24 |
| 90% (late) | November 5 |
Frost here means 32°F (0°C). A median date means half of years have their last frost earlier and half later.
Planting calendar for Johnson City, TN
Frost dates for 37604 — Johnson City, TN — last frost Apr 19, first frost Oct 24, zone 7b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Jan 25 to Feb 8Transplant outside: Mar 22 to Apr 5
Start indoors: Feb 8 to Feb 22Transplant outside: May 3 to May 17
Start indoors: Feb 8 to Feb 22Transplant outside: May 3 to May 17
Start indoors: Feb 22 to Mar 8Transplant outside: Apr 26 to May 10
Start indoors: Feb 22 to Mar 8Transplant outside: Mar 29 to Apr 12Sow outdoors: Mar 22 to Apr 26Plant for fall: Aug 29 to Sep 26
Start indoors: Feb 22 to Mar 8Transplant outside: Mar 22 to Apr 5Sow outdoors: Mar 22 to Apr 5Plant for fall: Aug 15 to Sep 5
Start indoors: Feb 22 to Mar 8Transplant outside: Apr 5 to Apr 19Plant for fall: Jul 18 to Aug 8
Start indoors: Feb 22 to Mar 8Transplant outside: Mar 29 to Apr 12Plant for fall: Jul 18 to Aug 8
Start indoors: Feb 22 to Mar 8Transplant outside: Apr 5 to Apr 19Plant for fall: Jul 18 to Aug 8
Start indoors: Mar 8 to Mar 22Transplant outside: May 10 to May 24Sow outdoors: May 10 to May 24
Start indoors: Mar 8 to Mar 22Transplant outside: Apr 26 to May 10
Sow outdoors: Mar 8 to Mar 29Plant for fall: Aug 1 to Aug 22
Sow outdoors: Mar 8 to Mar 29Plant for fall: Aug 29 to Sep 19
Sow outdoors: Mar 15 to Apr 26Plant for fall: Sep 12 to Oct 3
Start indoors: Mar 22 to Mar 29Transplant outside: May 3 to May 10Sow outdoors: Apr 26 to May 10Plant for fall: Aug 8 to Aug 22
Start indoors: Mar 22 to Mar 29Sow outdoors: Apr 26 to May 10Plant for fall: Aug 15 to Aug 29
Start indoors: Mar 22 to Mar 29Sow outdoors: Apr 26 to May 10
Start indoors: Mar 22 to Mar 29Transplant outside: May 3 to May 17
Sow outdoors: Mar 29 to Apr 26Plant for fall: Aug 1 to Aug 15
Sow outdoors: Mar 29 to Apr 26Plant for fall: Aug 15 to Aug 29
Sow outdoors: Mar 29 to Apr 19
Sow outdoors: Apr 5 to May 3Plant for fall: Aug 15 to Aug 29
Sow outdoors: Apr 5 to Apr 26Plant for fall: Aug 29 to Sep 19
Sow outdoors: Apr 26 to May 17Plant for fall: Aug 8 to Aug 22
Sow outdoors: Apr 26 to May 10
Transplant outside: May 3 to May 24
Plant for fall: Oct 10 to Nov 14
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Johnson City, TN
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Jan 25 – Feb 8 | Mar 22 – Apr 5 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 8 – Feb 22 | May 3 – May 17 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 8 – Feb 22 | May 3 – May 17 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Feb 22 – Mar 8 | Apr 26 – May 10 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Feb 22 – Mar 8 | Mar 29 – Apr 12 | Mar 22 – Apr 26 | Aug 29 – Sep 26 |
| Kale | Feb 22 – Mar 8 | Mar 22 – Apr 5 | Mar 22 – Apr 5 | Aug 15 – Sep 5 |
| Broccoli | Feb 22 – Mar 8 | Apr 5 – Apr 19 | — | Jul 18 – Aug 8 |
| Cabbage | Feb 22 – Mar 8 | Mar 29 – Apr 12 | — | Jul 18 – Aug 8 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 22 – Mar 8 | Apr 5 – Apr 19 | — | Jul 18 – Aug 8 |
| Okra | Mar 8 – Mar 22 | May 10 – May 24 | May 10 – May 24 | — |
| Basil | Mar 8 – Mar 22 | Apr 26 – May 10 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 8 – Mar 29 | Aug 1 – Aug 22 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 8 – Mar 29 | Aug 29 – Sep 19 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 15 – Apr 26 | Sep 12 – Oct 3 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 22 – Mar 29 | May 3 – May 10 | Apr 26 – May 10 | Aug 8 – Aug 22 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 22 – Mar 29 | — | Apr 26 – May 10 | Aug 15 – Aug 29 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Mar 22 – Mar 29 | — | Apr 26 – May 10 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Mar 22 – Mar 29 | May 3 – May 17 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Mar 29 – Apr 26 | Aug 1 – Aug 15 |
| Beets | — | — | Mar 29 – Apr 26 | Aug 15 – Aug 29 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Mar 29 – Apr 19 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 5 – May 3 | Aug 15 – Aug 29 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 5 – Apr 26 | Aug 29 – Sep 19 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Apr 26 – May 17 | Aug 8 – Aug 22 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Apr 26 – May 10 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 3 – May 24 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 10 – Nov 14 |
Dates come from the median frost dates and common extension-service timing. Adjust for your soil temperature, microclimate and the varieties you grow.
About these dates
Based on 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals for the Elizabethton, TN weather station, 13 km away (elevation 1,486 ft (453 m)).
ZIP codes in Johnson City: 37601 37602 37604 37605 37614 37615
Frost dates near Johnson City
- Mountain Home Apr 19 · Oct 24
- Milligan College Apr 19 · Oct 24
- Jonesborough Apr 21 · Oct 23
- Watauga Apr 19 · Oct 24
- Unicoi Apr 21 · Oct 23
- Piney Flats Apr 16 · Oct 24
- Telford Apr 21 · Oct 23
- Elizabethton Apr 19 · Oct 24
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Johnson City, TN?
The median last spring frost in Johnson City, TN is April 19. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 7, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Johnson City, TN?
The median first fall frost is October 24, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 10.
How long is the growing season in Johnson City, TN?
About 188 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Johnson City, TN?
Johnson City, TN is in USDA hardiness zone 7b.