Frost dates for 07832Columbia, NJ
The average last spring frost in Columbia is May 1 and the average first fall frost is October 12, giving a typical growing season of about 163 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 1
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 12
- Growing season
- 163 days
Safer after May 18 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 1 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 179 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 28 · May 14 · May 29 | Sep 22 · Oct 3 · Oct 17 | 141 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 18 · May 1 · May 18 | Oct 1 · Oct 12 · Oct 28 | 163 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 2 · Apr 19 · May 6 | Oct 7 · Oct 23 · Nov 8 | 187 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Columbia
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 31 – Jun 6 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 17 – Jun 22 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 31 – May 1 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 31 – Jul 1 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 17 – May 16 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 31 – Jul 1 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 31 – Jul 2 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 17 – Jul 1 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 31 – Jul 1 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 17 – Jul 25 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 17 – Jun 22 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 31 – Jul 1 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 24 – Jun 16 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 31 – May 16 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 31 – May 31 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 17 – Mar 16 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 17 – May 16 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 13 – Apr 16 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 17 – May 16 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 12 – Jun 22 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 12 – Jul 23 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 3 – Mar 31 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 31 – May 1 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 2 – Jul 2 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 2 – Aug 2 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 31 – Jun 16 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 2 – Aug 18 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 24 – May 7 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 19 – Aug 23 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 31 – May 21 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 2 – Sep 2 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 17 – May 7 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 25 – Aug 2 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 1 – Jun 16 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 2 – Jul 18 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 2 – Nov 2 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 07832 is matched to the NOAA station E Stroudsburg, PA, 15.3 km away, at 471 ft elevation (96 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| E Stroudsburg, PA (used) | 471 ft | May 1 | Oct 12 |
| Belvidere Brg, NJ | 263 ft | Apr 30 | Oct 18 |
| Andover Aeroflex Ap, NJ | 583 ft | Apr 25 | Oct 19 |
| Newton, NJ | 605 ft | Apr 24 | Oct 16 |
Frost dates near Columbia
- Portland, PA 18351 · last Apr 30, first Oct 18
- Delaware, NJ 07833 · last Apr 30, first Oct 18
- Hope, NJ 07844 · last Apr 25, first Oct 19
- Mount Bethel, PA 18343 · last May 1, first Oct 12
- Blairstown, NJ 07825 · last Apr 25, first Oct 19
- Delaware Water Gap, PA 18327 · last May 1, first Oct 12
- Shawnee On Delaware, PA 18356 · last May 1, first Oct 12
- Minisink Hills, PA 18341 · last May 1, first Oct 12
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Columbia, NJ?
- For ZIP code 07832, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 1, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the E Stroudsburg, PA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 18.
- When is the first frost in Columbia, NJ?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 12. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 1, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 07832?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 163 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.