Frost dates for 37620 — Bristol, TN
Last spring frostApr 21median date
First fall frostOct 20median date
Growing season182 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone7aZone 7a
How Bristol compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Bristol falls between April 5 and May 10, a 35-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 8 and November 3.
- The median last frost is 14 days later than the Tennessee median of Apr 7.
- Its 182-day growing season is longer than 6% of the 548 Tennessee places with a regular frost season (state median 206 days).
- The last frost is 5 days later than the zone 7a median of Apr 16. Hardiness zones measure winter cold, not season length, so use these dates rather than a zone 7a chart.
- The weather station records an average of 108 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Kingsport, TN, 32 km away, the last frost here is 12 days later than there and the growing season is 21 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 5 |
| 50% (median) | April 21 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 10 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 8 |
| 50% (median) | October 20 |
| 90% (late) | November 3 |
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 Bristol, TN
Frost dates for 37620 — Bristol, TN — last frost Apr 21, first frost Oct 20, zone 7a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Jan 27 to Feb 10Transplant outside: Mar 24 to Apr 7
Start indoors: Feb 10 to Feb 24Transplant outside: May 5 to May 19
Start indoors: Feb 10 to Feb 24Transplant outside: May 5 to May 19
Start indoors: Feb 24 to Mar 10Transplant outside: Apr 28 to May 12
Start indoors: Feb 24 to Mar 10Transplant outside: Mar 31 to Apr 14Sow outdoors: Mar 24 to Apr 28Plant for fall: Aug 25 to Sep 22
Start indoors: Feb 24 to Mar 10Transplant outside: Mar 24 to Apr 7Sow outdoors: Mar 24 to Apr 7Plant for fall: Aug 11 to Sep 1
Start indoors: Feb 24 to Mar 10Transplant outside: Apr 7 to Apr 21Plant for fall: Jul 14 to Aug 4
Start indoors: Feb 24 to Mar 10Transplant outside: Mar 31 to Apr 14Plant for fall: Jul 14 to Aug 4
Start indoors: Feb 24 to Mar 10Transplant outside: Apr 7 to Apr 21Plant for fall: Jul 14 to Aug 4
Start indoors: Mar 10 to Mar 24Transplant outside: May 12 to May 26Sow outdoors: May 12 to May 26
Start indoors: Mar 10 to Mar 24Transplant outside: Apr 28 to May 12
Sow outdoors: Mar 10 to Mar 31Plant for fall: Jul 28 to Aug 18
Sow outdoors: Mar 10 to Mar 31Plant for fall: Aug 25 to Sep 15
Sow outdoors: Mar 17 to Apr 28Plant for fall: Sep 8 to Sep 29
Start indoors: Mar 24 to Mar 31Transplant outside: May 5 to May 12Sow outdoors: Apr 28 to May 12Plant for fall: Aug 4 to Aug 18
Start indoors: Mar 24 to Mar 31Sow outdoors: Apr 28 to May 12Plant for fall: Aug 11 to Aug 25
Start indoors: Mar 24 to Mar 31Sow outdoors: Apr 28 to May 12
Start indoors: Mar 24 to Mar 31Transplant outside: May 5 to May 19
Sow outdoors: Mar 31 to Apr 28Plant for fall: Jul 28 to Aug 11
Sow outdoors: Mar 31 to Apr 28Plant for fall: Aug 11 to Aug 25
Sow outdoors: Mar 31 to Apr 21
Sow outdoors: Apr 7 to May 5Plant for fall: Aug 11 to Aug 25
Sow outdoors: Apr 7 to Apr 28Plant for fall: Aug 25 to Sep 15
Sow outdoors: Apr 28 to May 19Plant for fall: Aug 4 to Aug 18
Sow outdoors: Apr 28 to May 12
Transplant outside: May 5 to May 26
Plant for fall: Oct 6 to Nov 10
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Bristol, TN
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Jan 27 – Feb 10 | Mar 24 – Apr 7 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 10 – Feb 24 | May 5 – May 19 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 10 – Feb 24 | May 5 – May 19 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Feb 24 – Mar 10 | Apr 28 – May 12 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Feb 24 – Mar 10 | Mar 31 – Apr 14 | Mar 24 – Apr 28 | Aug 25 – Sep 22 |
| Kale | Feb 24 – Mar 10 | Mar 24 – Apr 7 | Mar 24 – Apr 7 | Aug 11 – Sep 1 |
| Broccoli | Feb 24 – Mar 10 | Apr 7 – Apr 21 | — | Jul 14 – Aug 4 |
| Cabbage | Feb 24 – Mar 10 | Mar 31 – Apr 14 | — | Jul 14 – Aug 4 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 24 – Mar 10 | Apr 7 – Apr 21 | — | Jul 14 – Aug 4 |
| Okra | Mar 10 – Mar 24 | May 12 – May 26 | May 12 – May 26 | — |
| Basil | Mar 10 – Mar 24 | Apr 28 – May 12 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 10 – Mar 31 | Jul 28 – Aug 18 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 10 – Mar 31 | Aug 25 – Sep 15 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 17 – Apr 28 | Sep 8 – Sep 29 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 24 – Mar 31 | May 5 – May 12 | Apr 28 – May 12 | Aug 4 – Aug 18 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 24 – Mar 31 | — | Apr 28 – May 12 | Aug 11 – Aug 25 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Mar 24 – Mar 31 | — | Apr 28 – May 12 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Mar 24 – Mar 31 | May 5 – May 19 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Mar 31 – Apr 28 | Jul 28 – Aug 11 |
| Beets | — | — | Mar 31 – Apr 28 | Aug 11 – Aug 25 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Mar 31 – Apr 21 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 7 – May 5 | Aug 11 – Aug 25 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 7 – Apr 28 | Aug 25 – Sep 15 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Apr 28 – May 19 | Aug 4 – Aug 18 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Apr 28 – May 12 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 5 – May 26 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 6 – Nov 10 |
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 Abingdon 3s, VA weather station, 22 km away (elevation 1,926 ft (587 m)).
ZIP codes in Bristol: 37620 37621 37625
Frost dates near Bristol
- Bluff City Apr 19 · Oct 24
- Blountville Apr 16 · Oct 24
- Piney Flats Apr 16 · Oct 24
- Watauga Apr 19 · Oct 24
- Elizabethton Apr 19 · Oct 24
- Shady Valley Apr 27 · Oct 14
- Butler Apr 18 · Oct 24
- Milligan College Apr 19 · Oct 24
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Bristol, TN?
The median last spring frost in Bristol, TN is April 21. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 10, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Bristol, TN?
The median first fall frost is October 20, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 8.
How long is the growing season in Bristol, TN?
About 182 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Bristol, TN?
Bristol, TN is in USDA hardiness zone 7a.