Frost dates for 28722Columbus, NC
The average last spring frost in Columbus is March 27 and the average first fall frost is November 12, giving a typical growing season of about 231 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 27
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 12
- Growing season
- 231 days
Safer after Apr 14 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 29 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 9 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) | Mar 23 · Apr 7 · Apr 26 | Oct 20 · Nov 1 · Nov 15 | 206 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 9 · Mar 27 · Apr 14 | Oct 29 · Nov 12 · Dec 1 | 231 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Feb 20 · Mar 14 · Mar 31 | Nov 8 · Nov 27 · Dec 19 | 257 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 | Feb 24 – May 2 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 12 – Jul 23 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Feb 24 – Mar 27 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Apr 26 – May 27 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 13 – Apr 11 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Apr 26 – May 27 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Apr 26 – Aug 2 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 12 – May 27 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 26 – May 27 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 12 – Aug 25 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 12 – Jul 23 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Apr 26 – May 27 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 19 – May 12 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 24 – Apr 11 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Feb 24 – Apr 26 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 13 – Feb 9 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 13 – Apr 11 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 6 – Mar 12 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 13 – Apr 11 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 13 – Jul 23 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 12 – Aug 23 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 27 – Feb 24 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 24 – Mar 27 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 3 – Aug 2 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 2 – Sep 2 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 24 – May 12 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 2 – Sep 18 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 17 – Apr 2 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 19 – Sep 23 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 24 – Apr 16 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 2 – Oct 3 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 13 – Apr 2 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 26 – Sep 2 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 27 – May 12 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 3 – Aug 18 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Nov 2 – Dec 3 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 28722 is matched to the NOAA station Tryon, NC, 7.2 km away, at 1,320 ft elevation (214 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tryon, NC (used) | 1,320 ft | Mar 27 | Nov 12 |
| Lake Lure 2, NC | 1,040 ft | Apr 5 | Oct 30 |
| Forest City 8 W, NC | 849 ft | Apr 11 | Oct 27 |
| Hendersonville 1 Ne, NC | 2,160 ft | Apr 14 | Oct 25 |
Frost dates near Columbus
- Lynn, NC 28750 · last Mar 27, first Nov 12
- Tryon, NC 28782 · last Mar 27, first Nov 12
- Mill Spring, NC 28756 · last Apr 11, first Oct 27
- Landrum, SC 29356 · last Mar 27, first Nov 12
- Saluda, NC 28773 · last Apr 14, first Oct 25
- Campobello, SC 29322 · last Apr 13, first Oct 26
- Flat Rock, NC 28731 · last Apr 14, first Oct 25
- Dana, NC 28724 · last Apr 14, first Oct 25
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Columbus, NC?
- For ZIP code 28722, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 27, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Tryon, NC weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 14.
- When is the first frost in Columbus, NC?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 12. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 29, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 28722?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 231 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.