Frost dates for 37621 — Bristol, TN
Last spring frostApr 16median date
First fall frostOct 24median date
Growing season191 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone7aZone 7a
How Bristol compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Bristol falls between March 30 and May 5, a 36-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 11 and November 4.
- The median last frost is 9 days later than the Tennessee median of Apr 7.
- Its 191-day growing season is longer than 18% of the 548 Tennessee places with a regular frost season (state median 206 days).
- The last frost is typical for zone 7a, where the median is Apr 16.
- The weather station records an average of 94 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Kingsport, TN, 25 km away, the last frost here is 7 days later than there and the growing season is 12 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | March 30 |
| 50% (median) | April 16 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 5 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 11 |
| 50% (median) | October 24 |
| 90% (late) | November 4 |
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 37621 — Bristol, TN — last frost Apr 16, first frost Oct 24, zone 7a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Jan 22 to Feb 5Transplant outside: Mar 19 to Apr 2
Start indoors: Feb 5 to Feb 19Transplant outside: Apr 30 to May 14
Start indoors: Feb 5 to Feb 19Transplant outside: Apr 30 to May 14
Start indoors: Feb 19 to Mar 5Transplant outside: Apr 23 to May 7
Start indoors: Feb 19 to Mar 5Transplant outside: Mar 26 to Apr 9Sow outdoors: Mar 19 to Apr 23Plant for fall: Aug 29 to Sep 26
Start indoors: Feb 19 to Mar 5Transplant outside: Mar 19 to Apr 2Sow outdoors: Mar 19 to Apr 2Plant for fall: Aug 15 to Sep 5
Start indoors: Feb 19 to Mar 5Transplant outside: Apr 2 to Apr 16Plant for fall: Jul 18 to Aug 8
Start indoors: Feb 19 to Mar 5Transplant outside: Mar 26 to Apr 9Plant for fall: Jul 18 to Aug 8
Start indoors: Feb 19 to Mar 5Transplant outside: Apr 2 to Apr 16Plant for fall: Jul 18 to Aug 8
Start indoors: Mar 5 to Mar 19Transplant outside: May 7 to May 21Sow outdoors: May 7 to May 21
Start indoors: Mar 5 to Mar 19Transplant outside: Apr 23 to May 7
Sow outdoors: Mar 5 to Mar 26Plant for fall: Aug 1 to Aug 22
Sow outdoors: Mar 5 to Mar 26Plant for fall: Aug 29 to Sep 19
Sow outdoors: Mar 12 to Apr 23Plant for fall: Sep 12 to Oct 3
Start indoors: Mar 19 to Mar 26Transplant outside: Apr 30 to May 7Sow outdoors: Apr 23 to May 7Plant for fall: Aug 8 to Aug 22
Start indoors: Mar 19 to Mar 26Sow outdoors: Apr 23 to May 7Plant for fall: Aug 15 to Aug 29
Start indoors: Mar 19 to Mar 26Sow outdoors: Apr 23 to May 7
Start indoors: Mar 19 to Mar 26Transplant outside: Apr 30 to May 14
Sow outdoors: Mar 26 to Apr 23Plant for fall: Aug 1 to Aug 15
Sow outdoors: Mar 26 to Apr 23Plant for fall: Aug 15 to Aug 29
Sow outdoors: Mar 26 to Apr 16
Sow outdoors: Apr 2 to Apr 30Plant for fall: Aug 15 to Aug 29
Sow outdoors: Apr 2 to Apr 23Plant for fall: Aug 29 to Sep 19
Sow outdoors: Apr 23 to May 14Plant for fall: Aug 8 to Aug 22
Sow outdoors: Apr 23 to May 7
Transplant outside: Apr 30 to May 21
Plant for fall: Oct 10 to Nov 14
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 22 – Feb 5 | Mar 19 – Apr 2 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 5 – Feb 19 | Apr 30 – May 14 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 5 – Feb 19 | Apr 30 – May 14 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Feb 19 – Mar 5 | Apr 23 – May 7 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Feb 19 – Mar 5 | Mar 26 – Apr 9 | Mar 19 – Apr 23 | Aug 29 – Sep 26 |
| Kale | Feb 19 – Mar 5 | Mar 19 – Apr 2 | Mar 19 – Apr 2 | Aug 15 – Sep 5 |
| Broccoli | Feb 19 – Mar 5 | Apr 2 – Apr 16 | — | Jul 18 – Aug 8 |
| Cabbage | Feb 19 – Mar 5 | Mar 26 – Apr 9 | — | Jul 18 – Aug 8 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 19 – Mar 5 | Apr 2 – Apr 16 | — | Jul 18 – Aug 8 |
| Okra | Mar 5 – Mar 19 | May 7 – May 21 | May 7 – May 21 | — |
| Basil | Mar 5 – Mar 19 | Apr 23 – May 7 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 5 – Mar 26 | Aug 1 – Aug 22 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 5 – Mar 26 | Aug 29 – Sep 19 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 12 – Apr 23 | Sep 12 – Oct 3 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 19 – Mar 26 | Apr 30 – May 7 | Apr 23 – May 7 | Aug 8 – Aug 22 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 19 – Mar 26 | — | Apr 23 – May 7 | Aug 15 – Aug 29 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Mar 19 – Mar 26 | — | Apr 23 – May 7 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Mar 19 – Mar 26 | Apr 30 – May 14 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Mar 26 – Apr 23 | Aug 1 – Aug 15 |
| Beets | — | — | Mar 26 – Apr 23 | Aug 15 – Aug 29 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Mar 26 – Apr 16 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 2 – Apr 30 | Aug 15 – Aug 29 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 2 – Apr 23 | Aug 29 – Sep 19 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Apr 23 – May 14 | Aug 8 – Aug 22 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Apr 23 – May 7 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Apr 30 – May 21 | — | — |
| 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 Bristol Tri City Ap, TN weather station, 13 km away (elevation 1,499 ft (457 m)).
ZIP codes in Bristol: 37620 37621 37625
Frost dates near Bristol
- Bluff City Apr 19 · Oct 24
- Piney Flats Apr 16 · Oct 24
- Blountville Apr 16 · Oct 24
- Watauga Apr 19 · Oct 24
- Elizabethton Apr 19 · Oct 24
- Milligan College Apr 19 · Oct 24
- Mountain Home Apr 19 · Oct 24
- Kingsport Apr 9 · Oct 29
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Bristol, TN?
The median last spring frost in Bristol, TN is April 16. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 5, 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 24, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 11.
How long is the growing season in Bristol, TN?
About 191 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.