Frost dates for 38402Columbia, TN
The average last spring frost in Columbia is April 10 and the average first fall frost is October 27, giving a typical growing season of about 199 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 10
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 27
- Growing season
- 199 days
Safer after Apr 26 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 16 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 158 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 8 · Apr 23 · May 7 | Oct 6 · Oct 18 · Oct 30 | 177 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 26 · Apr 10 · Apr 26 | Oct 16 · Oct 27 · Nov 7 | 199 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 8 · Mar 29 · Apr 14 | Oct 23 · Nov 5 · Nov 21 | 221 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 10 – May 16 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 26 – Jul 7 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 10 – Apr 10 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 10 – Jun 10 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 27 – Apr 25 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 10 – Jun 10 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 10 – Jul 17 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 26 – Jun 10 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 10 – Jun 10 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 26 – Aug 9 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 26 – Jul 7 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 10 – Jun 10 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 3 – May 26 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 10 – Apr 25 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 10 – May 10 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 27 – Feb 23 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 27 – Apr 25 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 20 – Mar 26 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 27 – Apr 25 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 27 – Jul 7 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 27 – Aug 7 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 10 – Mar 10 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 10 – Apr 10 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 17 – Jul 17 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 17 – Aug 17 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 10 – May 26 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 17 – Sep 2 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 3 – Apr 16 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 3 – Sep 7 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 10 – Apr 30 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 17 – Sep 17 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 27 – Apr 16 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 10 – Aug 17 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 10 – May 26 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 17 – Aug 2 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 17 – Nov 17 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 38402 is matched to the NOAA station Columbia 3 Wnw, TN, 5.3 km away, at 650 ft elevation (7 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Columbia 3 Wnw, TN (used) | 650 ft | Apr 10 | Oct 27 |
| Neapolis Res & Edu Stn, TN | 700 ft | Apr 5 | Oct 29 |
| Mt Pleasant 1N, TN | 778 ft | Apr 5 | Oct 28 |
| Thompson Stn, TN | 775 ft | Apr 3 | Nov 1 |
Frost dates near Columbia
- Columbia, TN 38401 · last Apr 10, first Oct 27
- Culleoka, TN 38451 · last Apr 14, first Oct 22
- Spring Hill, TN 37174 · last Apr 5, first Oct 29
- Williamsport, TN 38487 · last Apr 10, first Oct 27
- Mount Pleasant, TN 38474 · last Apr 5, first Oct 28
- Santa Fe, TN 38482 · last Apr 10, first Oct 27
- Thompsons Station, TN 37179 · last Apr 5, first Oct 29
- Hampshire, TN 38461 · last Apr 5, first Oct 28
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Columbia, TN?
- For ZIP code 38402, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 10, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Columbia 3 Wnw, TN weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 26.
- When is the first frost in Columbia, TN?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 27. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 16, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 38402?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 199 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.