Frost dates for 39704Columbus, 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 39704 is matched to the NOAA station Columbus, MS, 9 km away, at 145 ft elevation (42 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 |
| Vernon, AL | 298 ft | Mar 29 | Nov 5 |
| Aberdeen, MS | 198 ft | Mar 29 | Nov 5 |
| State Univ, MS | 185 ft | Mar 23 | Nov 8 |
Frost dates near Columbus
- Steens, MS 39766 · last Mar 13, first Nov 12
- Columbus, MS 39702 · last Mar 13, first Nov 12
- Caledonia, MS 39740 · last Mar 29, first Nov 5
- Millport, AL 35576 · last Mar 29, first Nov 5
- Ethelsville, AL 35461 · last Mar 13, first Nov 12
- Hamilton, MS 39746 · last Mar 29, first Nov 5
- Mayhew, MS 39753 · last Mar 23, first Nov 8
- West Point, MS 39773 · last Mar 23, first Nov 8
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Columbus, MS?
- For ZIP code 39704, 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 39704?
- 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.