Frost dates for 31909Columbus, GA
The average last spring frost in Columbus is March 21 and the average first fall frost is November 11, giving a typical growing season of about 238 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 21
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 11
- Growing season
- 238 days
Safer after Apr 9 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 31 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 8 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 16 · Apr 3 · Apr 19 | Oct 22 · Nov 3 · Nov 17 | 213 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Feb 28 · Mar 21 · Apr 9 | Oct 31 · Nov 11 · Dec 1 | 238 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Feb 12 · Mar 6 · Mar 26 | Nov 6 · Nov 24 · Dec 21 | 265 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 18 – Apr 26 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 6 – Jul 22 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Feb 18 – Mar 21 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Apr 20 – May 21 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 7 – Apr 5 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Apr 20 – May 21 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Apr 20 – Aug 1 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 6 – May 21 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 20 – May 21 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 6 – Aug 24 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 6 – Jul 22 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Apr 20 – May 21 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 13 – May 6 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 18 – Apr 5 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Feb 18 – Apr 20 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 7 – Feb 3 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 7 – Apr 5 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 31 – Mar 6 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 7 – Apr 5 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 12 – Jul 22 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 11 – Aug 22 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 21 – Feb 18 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 18 – Mar 21 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 2 – Aug 1 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 1 – Sep 1 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 18 – May 6 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 1 – Sep 17 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 11 – Mar 27 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 18 – Sep 22 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 18 – Apr 10 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 1 – Oct 2 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 7 – Mar 27 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 25 – Sep 1 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 21 – May 6 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 2 – Aug 17 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Nov 1 – Dec 2 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 31909 is matched to the NOAA station Columbus #2, GA, 2.3 km away, at 435 ft elevation (5 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Columbus #2, GA (used) | 435 ft | Mar 21 | Nov 11 |
| Columbus Metro Ap, GA | 392 ft | Mar 5 | Nov 23 |
| 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 31908 · last Mar 5, first Nov 23
- Fort Benning, GA 31995 · last Mar 5, first Nov 23
- Midland, GA 31820 · last Mar 21, first Nov 11
- Cataula, GA 31804 · last Mar 21, first Nov 18
- Phenix City, AL 36867 · last Mar 21, first Nov 11
- 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 31909, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 21, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Columbus #2, GA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 9.
- When is the first frost in Columbus, GA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 11. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 31, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 31909?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 238 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.