Frost dates for 37621Bristol, TN
The average last spring frost in Bristol is April 16 and the average first fall frost is October 24, giving a typical growing season of about 190 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 16
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 24
- Growing season
- 190 days
Safer after May 5 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 11 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 164 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 14 · Apr 29 · May 17 | Oct 4 · Oct 15 · Oct 28 | 169 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 30 · Apr 16 · May 5 | Oct 11 · Oct 24 · Nov 4 | 190 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 16 · Apr 1 · Apr 18 | Oct 19 · Nov 1 · Nov 15 | 212 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Bristol
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 16 – May 22 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 2 – Jul 4 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 16 – Apr 16 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 16 – Jun 16 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 2 – May 1 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 16 – Jun 16 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 16 – Jul 14 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 2 – Jun 16 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 16 – Jun 16 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 2 – Aug 6 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 2 – Jul 4 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 16 – Jun 16 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 9 – Jun 1 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 16 – May 1 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 16 – May 16 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 2 – Mar 1 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 2 – May 1 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 26 – Apr 1 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 2 – May 1 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 24 – Jul 4 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 24 – Aug 4 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 16 – Mar 16 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 16 – Apr 16 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 14 – Jul 14 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 14 – Aug 14 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 16 – Jun 1 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 14 – Aug 30 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 9 – Apr 22 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 31 – Sep 4 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 16 – May 6 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 14 – Sep 14 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 2 – Apr 22 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 7 – Aug 14 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 16 – Jun 1 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 14 – Jul 30 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 14 – Nov 14 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 37621 is matched to the NOAA station Bristol Tri City Ap, TN, 13 km away, at 1,500 ft elevation (7 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bristol Tri City Ap, TN (used) | 1,500 ft | Apr 16 | Oct 24 |
| Elizabethton, TN | 1,487 ft | Apr 19 | Oct 24 |
| Kingsport, TN | 1,284 ft | Apr 9 | Oct 29 |
| Abingdon 3S, VA | 1,925 ft | Apr 21 | Oct 20 |
Frost dates near Bristol
- Bluff City, TN 37618 · last Apr 19, first Oct 24
- Piney Flats, TN 37686 · last Apr 16, first Oct 24
- Blountville, TN 37617 · last Apr 16, first Oct 24
- Bristol, TN 37620 · last Apr 16, first Oct 24
- Watauga, TN 37694 · last Apr 19, first Oct 24
- Elizabethton, TN 37644 · last Apr 19, first Oct 24
- Kingsport, TN 37663 · last Apr 9, first Oct 29
- Johnson City, TN 37601 · last Apr 19, first Oct 24
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Bristol, TN?
- For ZIP code 37621, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 16, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Bristol Tri City Ap, TN weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 5.
- When is the first frost in Bristol, TN?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 24. 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 37621?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 190 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.