Frost dates for 31902Columbus, GA
The average last spring frost in Columbus is March 5 and the average first fall frost is November 23, giving a typical growing season of about 265 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 5
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 23
- Growing season
- 265 days
Safer after Mar 24 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Nov 7 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 20 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 1 · Mar 20 · Apr 7 | Oct 31 · Nov 12 · Dec 1 | 236 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Feb 11 · Mar 5 · Mar 24 | Nov 7 · Nov 23 · Dec 18 | 265 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Jan 25 · Feb 21 · Mar 14 | Nov 19 · Dec 12 · Jan 13 | 298 days | 99% |
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 2 – Apr 10 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Mar 21 – Aug 3 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Feb 2 – Mar 5 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Apr 4 – May 5 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Feb 19 – Mar 20 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Apr 4 – May 5 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Apr 4 – Aug 13 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Mar 21 – May 5 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 4 – May 5 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Mar 21 – Sep 5 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Mar 21 – Aug 3 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Apr 4 – May 5 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Mar 28 – Apr 20 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 2 – Mar 20 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Feb 2 – Apr 4 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Dec 22 – Jan 18 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 19 – Mar 20 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 15 – Feb 18 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 19 – Mar 20 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 24 – Aug 3 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 23 – Sep 3 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 5 – Feb 2 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 2 – Mar 5 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 14 – Aug 13 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 13 – Sep 13 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 2 – Apr 20 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 13 – Sep 29 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 26 – Mar 11 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 30 – Oct 4 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 2 – Mar 25 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 13 – Oct 14 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 19 – Mar 11 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 6 – Sep 13 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 5 – Apr 20 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 14 – Aug 29 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Nov 13 – Dec 14 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 31902 is matched to the NOAA station Columbus Metro Ap, GA, 1.6 km away, at 392 ft elevation (11 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Columbus Metro Ap, GA (used) | 392 ft | Mar 5 | Nov 23 |
| Columbus #2, GA | 435 ft | Mar 21 | Nov 11 |
| Mulberry Grove, GA | 501 ft | Mar 21 | Nov 18 |
| Ft Benning Lawson Fld, GA | 289 ft | Mar 26 | Nov 8 |
Frost dates near Columbus
- Columbus, GA 31904 · last Mar 5, first Nov 23
- Fort Benning, GA 31995 · last Mar 5, first Nov 23
- Phenix City, AL 36867 · last Mar 21, first Nov 11
- Midland, GA 31820 · last Mar 21, first Nov 11
- Cataula, GA 31804 · last Mar 21, first Nov 18
- Fortson, GA 31808 · last Mar 21, first Nov 18
- Smiths Station, AL 36877 · last Mar 21, first Nov 18
- Ellerslie, GA 31807 · last Apr 1, first Nov 3
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Columbus, GA?
- For ZIP code 31902, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 5, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Columbus Metro Ap, GA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after March 24.
- When is the first frost in Columbus, GA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 23. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by November 7, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 31902?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 265 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.