Frost dates for 39701Columbus, MS
The average last spring frost in Columbus is March 13 and the average first fall frost is November 12, giving a typical growing season of about 244 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 13
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 12
- Growing season
- 244 days
Safer after Apr 2 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 30 (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 9 · Mar 30 · Apr 16 | Oct 19 · Nov 2 · Nov 17 | 218 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Feb 19 · Mar 13 · Apr 2 | Oct 30 · Nov 12 · Dec 1 | 244 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Jan 30 · Feb 26 · Mar 17 | Nov 7 · Nov 27 · Dec 23 | 273 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 10 – Apr 18 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Mar 29 – Jul 23 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Feb 10 – Mar 13 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Apr 12 – May 13 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Feb 27 – Mar 28 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Apr 12 – May 13 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Apr 12 – Aug 2 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Mar 29 – May 13 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 12 – May 13 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Mar 29 – Aug 25 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Mar 29 – Jul 23 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Apr 12 – May 13 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 5 – Apr 28 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 10 – Mar 28 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Feb 10 – Apr 12 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Dec 30 – Jan 26 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 27 – Mar 28 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 23 – Feb 26 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 27 – Mar 28 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 13 – Jul 23 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 12 – Aug 23 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 13 – Feb 10 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 10 – Mar 13 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 3 – Aug 2 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 2 – Sep 2 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 10 – Apr 28 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 2 – Sep 18 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 3 – Mar 19 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 19 – Sep 23 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 10 – Apr 2 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 2 – Oct 3 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 27 – Mar 19 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 26 – Sep 2 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 13 – Apr 28 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 3 – Aug 18 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Nov 2 – Dec 3 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 39701 is matched to the NOAA station Columbus, MS, 12.8 km away, at 145 ft elevation (32 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Columbus, MS (used) | 145 ft | Mar 13 | Nov 12 |
| State Univ, MS | 185 ft | Mar 23 | Nov 8 |
| Macon 3N, MS | 250 ft | Mar 21 | Nov 7 |
| Aliceville, AL | 195 ft | Mar 24 | Nov 8 |
Frost dates near Columbus
- Crawford, MS 39743 · last Mar 21, first Nov 7
- Columbus, MS 39710 · last Mar 13, first Nov 12
- Artesia, MS 39736 · last Mar 23, first Nov 8
- Mayhew, MS 39753 · last Mar 23, first Nov 8
- Brooksville, MS 39739 · last Mar 21, first Nov 7
- Mississippi State, MS 39762 · last Mar 23, first Nov 8
- Steens, MS 39766 · last Mar 13, first Nov 12
- West Point, MS 39773 · last Mar 23, first Nov 8
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Columbus, MS?
- For ZIP code 39701, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 13, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Columbus, MS weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 2.
- When is the first frost in Columbus, MS?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 12. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 30, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 39701?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 244 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.