Frost dates for 08022Columbus, NJ
The average last spring frost in Columbus is April 15 and the average first fall frost is October 29, giving a typical growing season of about 196 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 15
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 29
- Growing season
- 196 days
Safer after Apr 29 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 14 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 163 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 15 · Apr 28 · May 13 | Oct 4 · Oct 17 · Oct 31 | 172 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 1 · Apr 15 · Apr 29 | Oct 14 · Oct 29 · Nov 10 | 196 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 18 · Apr 1 · Apr 15 | Oct 26 · Nov 7 · Nov 21 | 218 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Columbus
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 15 – May 21 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 1 – Jul 9 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 15 – Apr 15 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 15 – Jun 15 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 1 – Apr 30 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 15 – Jun 15 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 15 – Jul 19 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 1 – Jun 15 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 15 – Jun 15 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 1 – Aug 11 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 1 – Jul 9 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 15 – Jun 15 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 8 – May 31 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 15 – Apr 30 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 15 – May 15 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 1 – Feb 28 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 1 – Apr 30 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 25 – Mar 31 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 1 – Apr 30 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 29 – Jul 9 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 29 – Aug 9 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 15 – Mar 15 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 15 – Apr 15 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 19 – Jul 19 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 19 – Aug 19 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 15 – May 31 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 19 – Sep 4 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 8 – Apr 21 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 5 – Sep 9 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 15 – May 5 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 19 – Sep 19 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 1 – Apr 21 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 12 – Aug 19 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 15 – May 31 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 19 – Aug 4 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 19 – Nov 19 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 08022 is matched to the NOAA station Philadelphia/Mt Holly Wfo, NJ, 12.2 km away, at 63 ft elevation (1 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia/Mt Holly Wfo, NJ (used) | 63 ft | Apr 15 | Oct 29 |
| Mt Holly S Jersey Ap, NJ | 53 ft | Apr 15 | Oct 28 |
| Neshaminy Falls, PA | 40 ft | Apr 21 | Oct 25 |
| Trenton State College, NJ | 100 ft | Apr 17 | Oct 28 |
Frost dates near Columbus
- Jobstown, NJ 08041 · last Apr 15, first Oct 29
- Juliustown, NJ 08042 · last Apr 15, first Oct 29
- Chesterfield, NJ 08515 · last Apr 25, first Oct 16
- Bordentown, NJ 08505 · last Apr 15, first Oct 29
- Roebling, NJ 08554 · last Apr 15, first Oct 29
- Birmingham, NJ 08011 · last Apr 15, first Oct 29
- Wrightstown, NJ 08562 · last Apr 25, first Oct 16
- Mount Holly, NJ 08060 · last Apr 15, first Oct 29
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Columbus, NJ?
- For ZIP code 08022, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 15, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Philadelphia/Mt Holly Wfo, NJ weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 29.
- When is the first frost in Columbus, NJ?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 29. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 14, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 08022?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 196 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.