Frost dates for 37614Johnson City, TN
The average last spring frost in Johnson City is April 21 and the average first fall frost is October 23, giving a typical growing season of about 183 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 21
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 23
- Growing season
- 183 days
Safer after May 11 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 11 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 169 days
Frost risk by date
NOAA reports frost dates as probabilities. The middle date is the average (a 50% chance). For spring, the 10% date is a safer planting date: frost after it happens in about 1 year in 10. Light frost (36°F) can damage tender plants; a hard freeze (28°F) kills most annuals.
| Temperature | Last spring: 90% / 50% / 10% chance | First fall: 10% / 50% / 90% chance | Growing season (50%) | Years with at least one |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Light frost (36°F) | Apr 18 · May 3 · May 20 | Oct 3 · Oct 14 · Oct 27 | 163 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 4 · Apr 21 · May 11 | Oct 11 · Oct 23 · Nov 4 | 183 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 20 · Apr 7 · Apr 30 | Oct 18 · Nov 1 · Nov 13 | 205 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Johnson City
Planting windows from the University of Maryland Extension calendar, shifted to your average frost dates. Use them as a starting point and adjust for seed packet instructions and local conditions.
| Crop | Task | Window |
|---|---|---|
| Tomatoes | Start seeds indoors | Mar 21 – May 27 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 7 – Jul 3 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 21 – Apr 21 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 21 – Jun 21 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 7 – May 6 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 21 – Jun 21 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 21 – Jul 13 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 7 – Jun 21 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 21 – Jun 21 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 7 – Aug 5 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 7 – Jul 3 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 21 – Jun 21 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 14 – Jun 6 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 21 – May 6 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 21 – May 21 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 7 – Mar 6 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 7 – May 6 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 3 – Apr 6 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 7 – May 6 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 23 – Jul 3 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 23 – Aug 3 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 21 – Mar 21 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 21 – Apr 21 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 13 – Jul 13 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 13 – Aug 13 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 21 – Jun 6 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 13 – Aug 29 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 14 – Apr 27 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 30 – Sep 3 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 21 – May 11 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 13 – Sep 13 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 7 – Apr 27 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 6 – Aug 13 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 21 – Jun 6 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 13 – Jul 29 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 13 – Nov 13 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 37614 is matched to the NOAA station Erwin 1 W, TN, 12.4 km away, at 1,720 ft elevation (286 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Erwin 1 W, TN (used) | 1,720 ft | Apr 21 | Oct 23 |
| Greeneville Exp Stn, TN | 1,320 ft | Apr 20 | Oct 22 |
| Elizabethton, TN | 1,487 ft | Apr 19 | Oct 24 |
| Burnsville Ag, NC | 2,825 ft | Apr 24 | Oct 19 |
Frost dates near Johnson City
- Telford, TN 37690 · last Apr 21, first Oct 23
- Limestone, TN 37681 · last Apr 21, first Oct 23
- Erwin, TN 37650 · last Apr 21, first Oct 23
- Johnson City, TN 37602 · last Apr 21, first Oct 23
- Chuckey, TN 37641 · last Apr 21, first Oct 23
- Flag Pond, TN 37657 · last Apr 28, first Oct 18
- Jonesborough, TN 37659 · last Apr 21, first Oct 23
- Afton, TN 37616 · last Apr 20, first Oct 22
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Johnson City, TN?
- For ZIP code 37614, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 21, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Erwin 1 W, TN weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 11.
- When is the first frost in Johnson City, TN?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 23. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 11, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 37614?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 183 days long.
- Are these frost dates a forecast?
- No. They are 30-year averages and probabilities from NOAA weather station records. Use them to plan, then watch your local forecast before planting tender crops or leaving them uncovered.