Frost dates for 48063Columbus, MI
The average last spring frost in Columbus is May 1 and the average first fall frost is October 20, giving a typical growing season of about 170 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- May 1
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 20
- Growing season
- 170 days
Safer after May 17 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 4 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 180 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 27 · May 10 · May 25 | Sep 24 · Oct 6 · Oct 20 | 149 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Apr 18 · May 1 · May 17 | Oct 4 · Oct 20 · Nov 3 | 170 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Apr 5 · Apr 19 · May 4 | Oct 17 · Nov 1 · Nov 14 | 194 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 | Mar 31 – Jun 6 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | May 17 – Jun 30 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 31 – May 1 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 31 – Jul 1 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Apr 17 – May 16 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 31 – Jul 1 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 31 – Jul 10 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | May 17 – Jul 1 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 31 – Jul 1 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | May 17 – Aug 2 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | May 17 – Jun 30 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 31 – Jul 1 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 24 – Jun 16 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 31 – May 16 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 31 – May 31 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 17 – Mar 16 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 17 – May 16 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 13 – Apr 16 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Apr 17 – May 16 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 20 – Jun 30 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 20 – Jul 31 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Mar 3 – Mar 31 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 31 – May 1 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 10 – Jul 10 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 10 – Aug 10 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 31 – Jun 16 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 10 – Aug 26 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 24 – May 7 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 27 – Aug 31 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 31 – May 21 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 10 – Sep 10 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 17 – May 7 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 3 – Aug 10 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | May 1 – Jun 16 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 10 – Jul 26 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 10 – Nov 10 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 48063 is matched to the NOAA station Richmond 4 Nnw, MI, 10.5 km away, at 765 ft elevation (86 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Richmond 4 Nnw, MI (used) | 765 ft | May 1 | Oct 20 |
| Port Huron, MI | 590 ft | Apr 19 | Nov 3 |
| Yale 1 Nnw, MI | 820 ft | May 12 | Oct 5 |
| Algonac Wwtp, MI | 580 ft | May 3 | Oct 18 |
Frost dates near Columbus
- Goodells, MI 48027 · last May 1, first Oct 20
- Anchorville, MI 48004 · last May 1, first Oct 20
- Smiths Creek, MI 48074 · last Apr 19, first Nov 3
- Richmond, MI 48062 · last May 1, first Oct 20
- Memphis, MI 48041 · last May 1, first Oct 20
- Casco, MI 48064 · last May 1, first Oct 20
- Saint Clair, MI 48079 · last Apr 19, first Nov 3
- Emmett, MI 48022 · last May 1, first Oct 20
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Columbus, MI?
- For ZIP code 48063, the average last spring frost (32°F) is May 1, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Richmond 4 Nnw, MI weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after May 17.
- When is the first frost in Columbus, MI?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 20. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 4, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 48063?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 170 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.