Last frost date in Johnson City, TN
The average last frost in Johnson City is April 19. By May 7 the chance of another 32°F night drops to 1 in 10. The first fall frost usually arrives about October 24, which leaves 187 frost-free days. An early freeze before October 10 happens one year in ten.
- Safe after (10% risk)
- May 7
- Average first frost
- Oct 24
- Frost-free season
- 187 days
- Hard freeze (28°F) ends
- Apr 5
Frost possible in low spots Thu night, low 36°F
National Weather Service forecast, updated Oct 22, 12:57 UTC
- ThuOct 2236°possible frost
- FriOct 2339°
- SatOct 2436°possible frost
- SunOct 2538°
- MonOct 2639°
- TueOct 2744°
- WedOct 2843°
Planting calendar for Johnson City
Windows count forward or back from the average frost dates above. Click a crop for dates across Tennessee.
TomatoesApr 26–May 10
PumpkinsMay 3–May 17
SunflowersApr 19–May 10
CucumbersMay 3–May 10
CornApr 26–May 10
Sweet potatoesMay 10–May 24
WatermelonMay 3–May 17
Green beansApr 26–May 17
ZucchiniApr 26–May 10
OkraMay 10–May 24
PeppersMay 3–May 17
BasilApr 26–May 10
Butternut squashApr 26–May 10
CantaloupeMay 3–May 17
EggplantMay 3–May 17
PotatoesMar 22–Apr 5
OnionsMar 8–Mar 29
CarrotsMar 29–May 3
LettuceApr 5–Apr 26
BroccoliMar 22–Apr 5
BeetsMar 22–May 3
PeasMar 8–Mar 22
CabbageMar 22–Apr 5
RadishesMar 15–Apr 26
Brussels sproutsApr 5–Apr 19
SpinachMar 8–Mar 29
CilantroApr 5–Apr 26
KaleMar 22–Apr 5
Collard greensMar 22–Apr 5
TurnipsMar 22–Apr 5
DillApr 19–May 3
CeleryApr 26–May 3
CauliflowerApr 5–Apr 19
LeeksApr 5–Apr 19
Swiss chardApr 5–May 3
ParsleyApr 5–Apr 26
Tulip bulbsOct 10–Nov 14
GarlicOct 3–Nov 7
Daffodil bulbsSep 26–Nov 7
StrawberriesMar 22–Apr 5
AsparagusMar 22–Apr 5Frost probabilities
| Threshold | Spring, 90% chance later | Spring, 50% | Spring, 10% | Fall, 10% chance earlier | Fall, 50% | Fall, 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Light frost, 32°F | Apr 2 | Apr 19 | May 7 | Oct 10 | Oct 24 | Nov 5 |
| Hard freeze, 28°F | Mar 20 | Apr 5 | Apr 23 | Oct 19 | Nov 1 | Nov 15 |
Read the spring 10% column as the date after which only one year in ten still gets frost. That is the safer date for tomatoes, peppers and basil.
Where these numbers come from
NOAA station Elizabethton (USC00402806) sits 7.4 miles from the center of Johnson City at 1,487 feet. Its averages cover 1991 to 2020. Low spots, valleys and open fields can keep getting frost a week or two after the station stops; city centers and lakeshores usually get less of it.
Questions
When is the last frost in Johnson City, TN?
The average last frost date in Johnson City is April 19, based on NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals. There is a 10% chance of frost after May 7.
When is the first frost in Johnson City?
The first frost in fall usually comes around October 24. One year in ten it arrives before October 10.
How long is the growing season in Johnson City?
About 187 days between the average last and first frost.
When should I plant tomatoes in Johnson City?
Plant tomato seedlings outside from April 26 to May 10. Start seeds indoors six to eight weeks earlier.
Nearby in Tennessee
- KingsportApr 9
- BristolApr 16
- MorristownApr 10
- KnoxvilleApr 11
- MaryvilleApr 1
- FarragutApr 5
- Oak RidgeApr 5
- ClevelandApr 6
- CookevilleApr 14
- ChattanoogaMar 24
- East RidgeMar 24
- LebanonApr 6