Frost Dates for Kingsport, TN 37660
Last spring frost April 17 · First fall frost October 20 · 186 frost-free days · USDA Zone 7b
ZIP 37660 has about 41,000 people, the largest of 4 ZIP codes in Kingsport.
Long season: 186 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans March 30–May 3 (34 days). Fall frost risk spans October 6–November 3 (28 days).
Frost probability for 37660
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | May 3 | April 17 | March 30 |
| Fall (first frost) | October 6 | October 20 | November 3 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at ROGERSVILLE 1 NE (38.8 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Frost dates by ZIP code in Kingsport, TN
| ZIP | Last spring frost (50%) | First fall frost (50%) | Zone |
|---|---|---|---|
| 37660 | April 17 | October 20 | 7b |
| 37664 | April 18 | October 20 | 7b |
| 37663 | April 17 | October 20 | 7b |
| 37665 | April 18 | October 20 | 7b |
Which crops fit a 186-day season in Kingsport
In Kingsport (186 frost-free days, a long season), 30 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 25 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.
| Crop | Start indoors | Plant out / sow | Days you have | Verdict | Last sow date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tomato | Mar 13 | May 1–May 8 | 144 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 144 available after May 1. | Jun 20 |
| Pepper | Mar 6 | May 1–May 8 | 144 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 144 available after May 1. | Jun 25 |
| Lettuce | Feb 20 | Mar 20–Mar 27 | 221 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 20 and again by Aug 29; both mature before Oct 27. | Aug 29 |
| Carrots | — | Mar 27–Apr 3 | 228 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 228 available after Mar 27. | Aug 18 |
| Cucumber | Mar 27 | May 1–May 8 | 158 | two-plantings: Plant May 1 and again by Jul 24; both mature before Oct 6. | Jul 24 |
| Beans | — | Apr 24–May 8 | 172 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 24 and again by Jul 31; both mature before Oct 13. | Jul 31 |
| Peas | — | Feb 20–May 1 | 249 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 249 available after Feb 20. | Aug 9 |
| Zucchini | Apr 3 | May 1–May 8 | 158 | two-plantings: Plant May 1 and again by Jul 29; both mature before Oct 6. | Jul 29 |
| Onion | Jan 23 | Mar 20–Apr 3 | 221 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 221 available after Mar 20. | — |
| Spinach | — | Feb 20–Apr 10 | 263 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 20 and again by Sep 17; both mature before Nov 10. | Sep 17 |
| Kale | Feb 6 | Mar 20–Apr 3 | 235 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 20 and again by Sep 2; both mature before Nov 10. | Sep 2 |
| Broccoli | Feb 20 | Mar 20–Apr 3 | 221 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 221 available after Mar 20. | Jul 25 |
| Cabbage | Feb 20 | Mar 20–Apr 3 | 235 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 235 available after Mar 20. | Aug 18 |
| Radish | — | Feb 20–May 15 | 249 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 20 and again by Sep 18; both mature before Oct 27. | Sep 18 |
| Beets | — | Feb 20–May 15 | 249 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 20 and again by Aug 19; both mature before Oct 27. | Aug 19 |
| Potatoes | — | Apr 3–Apr 10 | 207 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 207 available after Apr 3. | — |
| Garlic | — | Oct 20 | 291 | overwinter: Plant Oct 20 to Nov 10; harvest the following summer. | Nov 10 |
| Strawberry | — | Mar 13–May 8 | 242 | perennial: A perennial: plant Mar 13; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Mar 20 | Apr 24–May 1 | 158 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 158 available after Apr 24. | Jul 2 |
| Pumpkin | Apr 3 | May 1–May 1 | 151 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 151 available after May 1. | Jun 7 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 6 | Apr 10–Apr 24 | 200 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 200 available after Apr 10. | Jul 30 |
| Swiss Chard | Feb 20 | Apr 3–Apr 3 | 207 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 3 and again by Aug 19; both mature before Oct 27. | Aug 19 |
| Arugula | — | Feb 20–May 15 | 263 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 20 and again by Sep 17; both mature before Nov 10. | Sep 17 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Feb 20 | Mar 20–Apr 3 | 235 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 235 available after Mar 20. | Jul 19 |
| Butternut Squash | Apr 3 | May 1–May 8 | 151 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 151 available after May 1. | Jun 7 |
| Eggplant | Feb 27 | May 1–May 8 | 144 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 144 available after May 1. | Jun 30 |
| Okra | Mar 20 | Apr 24–May 1 | 165 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 24 and again by Jul 29; both mature before Oct 6. | Jul 29 |
| Basil | Mar 13 | May 8–May 8 | 151 | two-plantings: Plant May 8 and again by Jul 24; both mature before Oct 6. | Jul 24 |
| Cilantro | — | Mar 20–Apr 10 | 221 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 20 and again by Aug 24; both mature before Oct 27. | Aug 24 |
| Parsley | Feb 6 | Apr 24–May 1 | 186 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 186 available after Apr 24. | Aug 4 |
| Celery | Feb 6 | Apr 24–May 8 | 186 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 186 available after Apr 24. | Jun 15 |
| Scallions | Feb 6 | Mar 20–Apr 3 | 235 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 20 and again by Aug 28; both mature before Nov 10. | Aug 28 |
| Turnip | — | Mar 20–Apr 3 | 235 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 20 and again by Sep 7; both mature before Nov 10. | Sep 7 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Mar 6–Mar 20 | 249 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 6 and again by Sep 2; both mature before Nov 10. | Sep 2 |
| Bok Choy | Mar 20 | Apr 10–Apr 17 | 200 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 10 and again by Aug 29; both mature before Oct 27. | Aug 29 |
| Collards | Feb 6 | Mar 20–Apr 3 | 235 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 20 and again by Aug 28; both mature before Nov 10. | Aug 28 |
| Cantaloupe | Apr 3 | May 1–May 8 | 144 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 144 available after May 1. | Jun 15 |
| Chives | Jan 23 | Apr 24–May 1 | 200 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 200 available after Apr 24. | — |
| Dill | — | Feb 20–May 15 | 249 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 20 and again by Aug 19; both mature before Oct 27. | Aug 19 |
| Oregano | Feb 6 | Apr 24–May 1 | 200 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 200 available after Apr 24. | — |
| Rosemary | Jan 23 | Apr 24–May 1 | 186 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 186 available after Apr 24. | — |
| Sage | Feb 20 | Apr 24–May 1 | 200 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 200 available after Apr 24. | — |
| Thyme | Feb 6 | Apr 24–May 1 | 200 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 200 available after Apr 24. | — |
| Calendula | Mar 6 | Apr 3–Apr 17 | 207 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 3 and again by Aug 24; both mature before Oct 27. | Aug 24 |
| Cosmos | Mar 20 | Apr 17–May 1 | 172 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 17 and again by Jul 24; both mature before Oct 6. | Jul 24 |
| Lavender | Jan 23 | Apr 17–May 1 | 207 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 207 available after Apr 17. | — |
| Marigolds | Mar 6 | Apr 17–Apr 24 | 172 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 17 and again by Aug 3; both mature before Oct 6. | Aug 3 |
| Melons | Apr 3 | May 1–May 8 | 144 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 144 available after May 1. | Jun 15 |
| Mint | — | Apr 17–May 1 | 207 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 207 available after Apr 17. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Mar 20 | Apr 17–Apr 24 | 172 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 17 and again by Jul 29; both mature before Oct 6. | Jul 29 |
| Pole Beans | — | Apr 24–May 8 | 165 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 165 available after Apr 24. | Jul 19 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Apr 3 | May 1–May 8 | 151 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 151 available after May 1. | Jun 17 |
| Sunflowers | — | Apr 17–May 1 | 172 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 172 available after Apr 17. | Jul 14 |
| Tomatillos | Feb 20 | Apr 24–May 1 | 151 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 151 available after Apr 24. | Jun 25 |
| Watermelon | Apr 3 | Apr 24–May 1 | 151 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 151 available after Apr 24. | Jun 20 |
| Yellow Squash | Apr 3 | May 1–May 8 | 158 | two-plantings: Plant May 1 and again by Jul 29; both mature before Oct 6. | Jul 29 |
| Zinnias | Mar 20 | Apr 17–May 1 | 172 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 17 and again by Jul 24; both mature before Oct 6. | Jul 24 |
Month by month in Kingsport
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Start indoors: Chives (Jan 23), Lavender (Jan 23), Onion (Jan 23), Rosemary (Jan 23). |
| February | Start indoors: Celery (Feb 6), Collards (Feb 6), Kale (Feb 6), Oregano (Feb 6), Parsley (Feb 6), Scallions (Feb 6), +9 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Feb 20), Beets (Feb 20), Dill (Feb 20), Peas (Feb 20), Radish (Feb 20), Spinach (Feb 20). |
| March | Start indoors: Calendula (Mar 6), Cauliflower (Mar 6), Marigolds (Mar 6), Pepper (Mar 6), Basil (Mar 13), Tomato (Mar 13), +7 more. Direct sow from: Kohlrabi (Mar 6), Cilantro (Mar 20), Turnip (Mar 20), Carrots (Mar 27). Transplant from: Broccoli (Mar 20), Brussel Sprouts (Mar 20), Cabbage (Mar 20), Collards (Mar 20), Kale (Mar 20), Lettuce (Mar 20), +2 more. Plant: Strawberry (Mar 13). |
| April | Start indoors: Butternut Squash (Apr 3), Cantaloupe (Apr 3), Melons (Apr 3), Pumpkin (Apr 3), Spaghetti Squash (Apr 3), Watermelon (Apr 3), +2 more. Direct sow from: Potatoes (Apr 3), Sunflowers (Apr 17), Beans (Apr 24), Pole Beans (Apr 24). Transplant from: Calendula (Apr 3), Swiss Chard (Apr 3), Bok Choy (Apr 10), Cauliflower (Apr 10), Cosmos (Apr 17), Lavender (Apr 17), +15 more. Last frost around April 17. |
| May | Transplant from: Butternut Squash (May 1), Cantaloupe (May 1), Cucumber (May 1), Eggplant (May 1), Melons (May 1), Pepper (May 1), +6 more. |
| June | Last sowing dates: Butternut Squash (Jun 7), Pumpkin (Jun 7), Cantaloupe (Jun 15), Celery (Jun 15), Melons (Jun 15), Spaghetti Squash (Jun 17), +5 more. |
| July | Last sowing dates: Corn (Jul 2), Sunflowers (Jul 14), Brussel Sprouts (Jul 19), Pole Beans (Jul 19), Basil (Jul 24), Cosmos (Jul 24), +9 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Marigolds (Aug 3), Parsley (Aug 4), Peas (Aug 9), Cabbage (Aug 18), Carrots (Aug 18), Beets (Aug 19), +8 more. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Kale (Sep 2), Kohlrabi (Sep 2), Turnip (Sep 7), Arugula (Sep 17), Spinach (Sep 17), Radish (Sep 18). |
| October | Direct sow from: Garlic (Oct 20). First frost around October 20. |
| November | Last sowing dates: Garlic (Nov 10). |
| 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 Kingsport, TN (ZIP 37660)?
The median last spring frost date for Kingsport, TN (ZIP code 37660) is around April 17. 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 March 30; one in ten it runs past May 3.
What is the first fall frost date in Kingsport, TN?
The median first fall frost date for Kingsport, TN is around October 20. 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 October 6 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Kingsport, TN?
The frost-free growing season in Kingsport is about 186 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 Kingsport (186 frost-free days, a long season), 30 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 25 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.
What USDA hardiness zone is Kingsport, TN?
Kingsport, TN is in USDA hardiness zone 7b (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 Kingsport, TN?
Start tomatoes indoors Mar 13 and plant out May 1 in Kingsport. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Kingsport?
Two: plant Mar 20 and again by Aug 29; both mature before Oct 27.
When do I plant garlic in Kingsport?
Oct 20 to Nov 10; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Can I get two tomato crops in Kingsport?
Yes: plant out May 1 for a summer crop, and set out a second round of transplants by Jun 20 for a fall crop.
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