Johnson City, TN planting zone & frost dates
Johnson City is in USDA hardiness zone 7b. The last spring frost usually comes around April 19 and the first fall frost around October 24, for a growing season of about 187 days.
Planting calendar for Johnson City
Dates are counted from the average last spring frost (April 19) using the typical timing recommended by U.S. extension services. Warm-season crops go out only after the danger of frost has passed and the soil has warmed.
| Crop | When |
|---|---|
| Tomatoes | Start seeds indoors: Feb 22 – Mar 8 Transplant outdoors: Apr 26 – May 3 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors: Feb 8 – Feb 22 Transplant outdoors: May 3 – May 10 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors: Feb 8 – Feb 22 Transplant outdoors: May 3 – May 10 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors: Feb 8 – Feb 22 Transplant outdoors: Mar 22 – Apr 5 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors: Feb 8 – Feb 22 Transplant outdoors: Mar 22 – Apr 5 |
| Onions (sets) | Plant outdoors: Mar 22 – Apr 5 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors: Mar 8 – Mar 22 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors: Mar 8 – Mar 22 |
| Lettuce | Sow outdoors: Mar 22 – Apr 5 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors: Mar 22 – Apr 5 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors: Mar 22 – Apr 5 |
| Beans | Sow outdoors: Apr 26 – May 3 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors: Apr 26 – May 3 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors: Apr 26 – May 3 |
| Squash & zucchini | Sow outdoors: Apr 26 – May 3 |
| Basil | Start seeds indoors: Mar 8 – Mar 22 Transplant outdoors: Apr 26 – May 3 |
Fall garden: cool-season crops like lettuce, spinach and kale can be sown again around Aug 29 (8 weeks before the average first fall frost on Oct 24).
Useful for zone 7b gardens
- Seed starting kit with dome — to start seeds indoors before the last frost
- LED grow light for seedlings — stops leggy seedlings
- Frost cloth / plant covers — for late spring and early fall frosts
- Soil thermometer — warm-season crops need soil above 60°F
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Frost risk in detail
| 90% chance | 50% chance | 10% chance | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Last 32°F frost in spring is after | Apr 2 | Apr 19 | May 7 |
| First 32°F frost in fall is before | Nov 5 | Oct 24 | Oct 10 |
How to read it: in spring there is a 10% chance of a frost after May 7, so that is a safe date for tender plants. In fall there is a 10% chance of frost before October 10. A hard freeze (28°F) usually ends around April 5.
Hardiness zone by ZIP code in Johnson City
- 37601 zone 7b
- 37602 zone 7b
- 37604 zone 7b
- 37605 zone 7b
- 37614 zone 7b
- 37615 zone 7b
Nearby cities
- Elizabethton zone 7b, last frost Apr 19
- Kingsport zone 7b, last frost Apr 9
- Bristol zone 7b, last frost Apr 21
- Greeneville zone 7a, last frost Apr 20
- Morristown zone 7b, last frost Apr 10
- Sevierville zone 7b, last frost Apr 6
- Seymour zone 7b, last frost Apr 6
- Knoxville zone 7b, last frost Apr 11
Questions
What growing zone is Johnson City, TN?
Johnson City is in USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 7b (average extreme winter low 5°F to 10°F), according to the USDA 2023 map.
When is the last frost in Johnson City?
The average last spring frost (32°F) in Johnson City is April 19. There is still a 10% chance of frost until May 7.
When can I plant tomatoes in Johnson City?
Transplant tomatoes outdoors 1–2 weeks after the average last frost: around Apr 26 – May 3. Start seeds indoors 6–8 weeks before the last frost.
Frost dates: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station Elizabethton, TN (USC00402806), 10.4 km (6.5 mi) from the city center, elevation 453 m, based on 30 years of records. Hardiness zone: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map 2023 for the ZIP code nearest to the city center. Microclimates (valleys, hills, cities, coasts) can be warmer or colder: check the local forecast before planting. How we calculate the data.