Frost Dates for Bristol, TN 37620
Last spring frost April 30 · First fall frost October 10 · 163 frost-free days · USDA Zone 7a
ZIP 37620 has about 38,500 people.
Moderate season: 163 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans April 12–May 17 (35 days). Fall frost risk spans September 29–October 21 (22 days).
Frost probability for 37620
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | May 17 | April 30 | April 12 |
| Fall (first frost) | September 29 | October 10 | October 21 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at ABINGDON 3S (17.7 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 163-day season in Bristol
In Bristol (163 frost-free days, a moderate season), 31 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 24 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.
| Crop | Start indoors | Plant out / sow | Days you have | Verdict | Last sow date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tomato | Mar 26 | May 14–May 21 | 121 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 121 available after May 14. | Jun 10 |
| Pepper | Mar 19 | May 14–May 21 | 121 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 121 available after May 14. | Jun 15 |
| Lettuce | Mar 5 | Apr 2–Apr 9 | 198 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 2 and again by Aug 19; both mature before Oct 17. | Aug 19 |
| Carrots | — | Apr 9–Apr 16 | 205 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 205 available after Apr 9. | Aug 8 |
| Cucumber | Apr 9 | May 14–May 21 | 135 | two-plantings: Plant May 14 and again by Jul 14; both mature before Sep 26. | Jul 14 |
| Beans | — | May 7–May 21 | 149 | two-plantings: Plant May 7 and again by Jul 21; both mature before Oct 3. | Jul 21 |
| Peas | — | Mar 5–May 14 | 226 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 226 available after Mar 5. | Jul 30 |
| Zucchini | Apr 16 | May 14–May 21 | 135 | two-plantings: Plant May 14 and again by Jul 19; both mature before Sep 26. | Jul 19 |
| Onion | Feb 5 | Apr 2–Apr 16 | 198 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 198 available after Apr 2. | — |
| Spinach | — | Mar 5–Apr 23 | 240 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 5 and again by Sep 7; both mature before Oct 31. | Sep 7 |
| Kale | Feb 19 | Apr 2–Apr 16 | 212 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 2 and again by Aug 23; both mature before Oct 31. | Aug 23 |
| Broccoli | Mar 5 | Apr 2–Apr 16 | 198 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 198 available after Apr 2. | Jul 15 |
| Cabbage | Mar 5 | Apr 2–Apr 16 | 212 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 212 available after Apr 2. | Aug 8 |
| Radish | — | Mar 5–May 28 | 226 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 5 and again by Sep 8; both mature before Oct 17. | Sep 8 |
| Beets | — | Mar 5–May 28 | 226 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 5 and again by Aug 9; both mature before Oct 17. | Aug 9 |
| Potatoes | — | Apr 16–Apr 23 | 184 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 184 available after Apr 16. | — |
| Garlic | — | Oct 10 | 268 | overwinter: Plant Oct 10 to Oct 31; harvest the following summer. | Oct 31 |
| Strawberry | — | Mar 26–May 21 | 219 | perennial: A perennial: plant Mar 26; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Apr 2 | May 7–May 14 | 135 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 135 available after May 7. | Jun 22 |
| Pumpkin | Apr 16 | May 14–May 14 | 128 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 128 available after May 14. | May 28 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 19 | Apr 23–May 7 | 177 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 177 available after Apr 23. | Jul 20 |
| Swiss Chard | Mar 5 | Apr 16–Apr 16 | 184 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 16 and again by Aug 9; both mature before Oct 17. | Aug 9 |
| Arugula | — | Mar 5–May 28 | 240 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 5 and again by Sep 7; both mature before Oct 31. | Sep 7 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Mar 5 | Apr 2–Apr 16 | 212 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 212 available after Apr 2. | Jul 9 |
| Butternut Squash | Apr 16 | May 14–May 21 | 128 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 128 available after May 14. | May 28 |
| Eggplant | Mar 12 | May 14–May 21 | 121 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 121 available after May 14. | Jun 20 |
| Okra | Apr 2 | May 7–May 14 | 142 | two-plantings: Plant May 7 and again by Jul 19; both mature before Sep 26. | Jul 19 |
| Basil | Mar 26 | May 21–May 21 | 128 | fits: 60 days to maturity, 128 available after May 21. | Jul 14 |
| Cilantro | — | Apr 2–Apr 23 | 198 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 2 and again by Aug 14; both mature before Oct 17. | Aug 14 |
| Parsley | Feb 19 | May 7–May 14 | 163 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 163 available after May 7. | Jul 25 |
| Celery | Feb 19 | May 7–May 21 | 163 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 163 available after May 7. | Jun 5 |
| Scallions | Feb 19 | Apr 2–Apr 16 | 212 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 2 and again by Aug 18; both mature before Oct 31. | Aug 18 |
| Turnip | — | Apr 2–Apr 16 | 212 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 2 and again by Aug 28; both mature before Oct 31. | Aug 28 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Mar 19–Apr 2 | 226 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 19 and again by Aug 23; both mature before Oct 31. | Aug 23 |
| Bok Choy | Apr 2 | Apr 23–Apr 30 | 177 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 23 and again by Aug 19; both mature before Oct 17. | Aug 19 |
| Collards | Feb 19 | Apr 2–Apr 16 | 212 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 2 and again by Aug 18; both mature before Oct 31. | Aug 18 |
| Cantaloupe | Apr 16 | May 14–May 21 | 121 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 121 available after May 14. | Jun 5 |
| Chives | Feb 5 | May 7–May 14 | 177 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 177 available after May 7. | — |
| Dill | — | Mar 5–May 28 | 226 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 5 and again by Aug 9; both mature before Oct 17. | Aug 9 |
| Oregano | Feb 19 | May 7–May 14 | 177 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 177 available after May 7. | — |
| Rosemary | Feb 5 | May 7–May 14 | 163 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 163 available after May 7. | — |
| Sage | Mar 5 | May 7–May 14 | 177 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 177 available after May 7. | — |
| Thyme | Feb 19 | May 7–May 14 | 177 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 177 available after May 7. | — |
| Calendula | Mar 19 | Apr 16–Apr 30 | 184 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 16 and again by Aug 14; both mature before Oct 17. | Aug 14 |
| Cosmos | Apr 2 | Apr 30–May 14 | 149 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 30 and again by Jul 14; both mature before Sep 26. | Jul 14 |
| Lavender | Feb 5 | Apr 30–May 14 | 184 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 184 available after Apr 30. | — |
| Marigolds | Mar 19 | Apr 30–May 7 | 149 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 30 and again by Jul 24; both mature before Sep 26. | Jul 24 |
| Melons | Apr 16 | May 14–May 21 | 121 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 121 available after May 14. | Jun 5 |
| Mint | — | Apr 30–May 14 | 184 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 184 available after Apr 30. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Apr 2 | Apr 30–May 7 | 149 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 30 and again by Jul 19; both mature before Sep 26. | Jul 19 |
| Pole Beans | — | May 7–May 21 | 142 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 142 available after May 7. | Jul 9 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Apr 16 | May 14–May 21 | 128 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 128 available after May 14. | Jun 7 |
| Sunflowers | — | Apr 30–May 14 | 149 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 149 available after Apr 30. | Jul 4 |
| Tomatillos | Mar 5 | May 7–May 14 | 128 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 128 available after May 7. | Jun 15 |
| Watermelon | Apr 16 | May 7–May 14 | 128 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 128 available after May 7. | Jun 10 |
| Yellow Squash | Apr 16 | May 14–May 21 | 135 | two-plantings: Plant May 14 and again by Jul 19; both mature before Sep 26. | Jul 19 |
| Zinnias | Apr 2 | Apr 30–May 14 | 149 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 30 and again by Jul 14; both mature before Sep 26. | Jul 14 |
Month by month in Bristol
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Plan your garden layout and order seeds. Research varieties suited to your frost dates. |
| February | Start indoors: Chives (Feb 5), Lavender (Feb 5), Onion (Feb 5), Rosemary (Feb 5), Celery (Feb 19), Collards (Feb 19), +5 more. |
| March | Start indoors: Broccoli (Mar 5), Brussel Sprouts (Mar 5), Cabbage (Mar 5), Lettuce (Mar 5), Sage (Mar 5), Swiss Chard (Mar 5), +8 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Mar 5), Beets (Mar 5), Dill (Mar 5), Peas (Mar 5), Radish (Mar 5), Spinach (Mar 5), +1 more. Plant: Strawberry (Mar 26). |
| April | Start indoors: Bok Choy (Apr 2), Corn (Apr 2), Cosmos (Apr 2), Nasturtiums (Apr 2), Okra (Apr 2), Zinnias (Apr 2), +9 more. Direct sow from: Cilantro (Apr 2), Turnip (Apr 2), Carrots (Apr 9), Potatoes (Apr 16), Sunflowers (Apr 30). Transplant from: Broccoli (Apr 2), Brussel Sprouts (Apr 2), Cabbage (Apr 2), Collards (Apr 2), Kale (Apr 2), Lettuce (Apr 2), +12 more. Last frost around April 30. |
| May | Direct sow from: Beans (May 7), Pole Beans (May 7). Transplant from: Celery (May 7), Chives (May 7), Corn (May 7), Okra (May 7), Oregano (May 7), Parsley (May 7), +17 more. Last sowing dates: Butternut Squash (May 28), Pumpkin (May 28). |
| June | Last sowing dates: Cantaloupe (Jun 5), Celery (Jun 5), Melons (Jun 5), Spaghetti Squash (Jun 7), Tomato (Jun 10), Watermelon (Jun 10), +4 more. |
| July | Last sowing dates: Sunflowers (Jul 4), Brussel Sprouts (Jul 9), Pole Beans (Jul 9), Basil (Jul 14), Cosmos (Jul 14), Cucumber (Jul 14), +11 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Cabbage (Aug 8), Carrots (Aug 8), Beets (Aug 9), Dill (Aug 9), Swiss Chard (Aug 9), Calendula (Aug 14), +8 more. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Arugula (Sep 7), Spinach (Sep 7), Radish (Sep 8). |
| October | Direct sow from: Garlic (Oct 10). First frost around October 10. Last sowing dates: Garlic (Oct 31). |
| November | Harvest remaining cold-hardy crops: kale, carrots, and beets. Plant garlic bulbs for next year. |
| December | Clean up spent plants. Add compost to beds. Rest, review, and plan next year's garden. |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the last frost date for Bristol, TN (ZIP 37620)?
The median last spring frost date for Bristol, TN (ZIP code 37620) is around April 30. This is the 50th-percentile date — meaning half of all years see frost end before this date. Use the 10% and 90% dates to understand the full range of risk in your area. One year in ten frost ends before April 12; one in ten it runs past May 17.
What is the first fall frost date in Bristol, TN?
The median first fall frost date for Bristol, TN is around October 10. Plan to harvest or protect frost-sensitive crops like tomatoes and peppers at least a week before this date to avoid losses. The first frost arrives around September 29 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Bristol, TN?
The frost-free growing season in Bristol is about 163 days. This window — from your last spring frost to your first fall frost — is when warm-season vegetables thrive. Cold-hardy crops like kale, spinach, and peas can extend your season by weeks on either side. In Bristol (163 frost-free days, a moderate season), 31 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 24 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.
What USDA hardiness zone is Bristol, TN?
Bristol, TN is in USDA hardiness zone 7a (2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map). Zones come from the average coldest winter temperature, so they tell you which perennials survive the winter; the frost dates on this page tell you when to plant.
When should I start tomatoes indoors in Bristol, TN?
Start tomatoes indoors Mar 26 and plant out May 14 in Bristol. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Bristol?
Two: plant Apr 2 and again by Aug 19; both mature before Oct 17.
When do I plant garlic in Bristol?
Oct 10 to Oct 31; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Which nearby ZIP has a longer season?
Bristol (ZIP 24201) has 185 frost-free days, 22 more than Bristol (ZIP 37620). See Bristol ZIP 24201 frost dates
Nearby and related
- Frost dates for Bristol, VA 24201 (5.7 mi)
- Frost dates for Bluff City, TN 37618 (8.5 mi)
- Frost dates for Abingdon, VA 24211 (10.6 mi)
- Frost dates for Elizabethton, TN 37643 (12.3 mi)
- Frost dates for Blountville, TN 37617 (15.2 mi)
- When to plant in TN
- When to plant Peppers in TN
- When to plant Cucumbers in TN
- When to plant Zucchini in TN
- When to plant Butternut Squash in TN
- When to plant Basil in TN
- When to plant Sweet Corn in TN
- Look up another ZIP