Frost dates for 71418Columbia, LA
The average last spring frost in Columbia is March 5 and the average first fall frost is November 22, giving a typical growing season of about 263 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 5
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 22
- Growing season
- 263 days
Safer after Mar 27 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Nov 4 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 21 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) | Feb 28 · Mar 21 · Apr 7 | Oct 29 · Nov 10 · Nov 27 | 235 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Feb 14 · Mar 5 · Mar 27 | Nov 4 · Nov 22 · Dec 12 | 263 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Jan 20 · Feb 20 · Mar 14 | Nov 12 · Dec 4 · Jan 6 | 292 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 | Feb 2 – Apr 10 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Mar 21 – Aug 2 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Feb 2 – Mar 5 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Apr 4 – May 5 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Feb 19 – Mar 20 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Apr 4 – May 5 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Apr 4 – Aug 12 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Mar 21 – May 5 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 4 – May 5 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Mar 21 – Sep 4 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Mar 21 – Aug 2 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Apr 4 – May 5 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Mar 28 – Apr 20 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 2 – Mar 20 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Feb 2 – Apr 4 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Dec 22 – Jan 18 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 19 – Mar 20 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 15 – Feb 18 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 19 – Mar 20 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 23 – Aug 2 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 22 – Sep 2 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 5 – Feb 2 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 2 – Mar 5 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 13 – Aug 12 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 12 – Sep 12 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 2 – Apr 20 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 12 – Sep 28 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 26 – Mar 11 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 29 – Oct 3 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 2 – Mar 25 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 12 – Oct 13 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 19 – Mar 11 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 5 – Sep 12 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 5 – Apr 20 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 13 – Aug 28 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Nov 12 – Dec 13 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 71418 is matched to the NOAA station Columbia Lock, LA, 7.3 km away, at 82 ft elevation (56 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Columbia Lock, LA (used) | 82 ft | Mar 5 | Nov 22 |
| Winnsboro 2 Se, LA | 74 ft | Mar 7 | Nov 13 |
| Winnsboro 5 Sse, LA | 80 ft | Mar 10 | Nov 16 |
| Monroe Delta Cc, LA | 70 ft | Mar 9 | Nov 14 |
Frost dates near Columbia
- Grayson, LA 71435 · last Mar 5, first Nov 22
- Clarks, LA 71415 · last Mar 5, first Nov 22
- Kelly, LA 71441 · last Mar 5, first Nov 22
- Olla, LA 71465 · last Mar 19, first Nov 12
- Fort Necessity, LA 71243 · last Mar 10, first Nov 16
- Sikes, LA 71473 · last Mar 13, first Nov 10
- Urania, LA 71480 · last Mar 19, first Nov 12
- Enterprise, LA 71425 · last Mar 10, first Nov 16
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Columbia, LA?
- For ZIP code 71418, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 5, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Columbia Lock, LA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after March 27.
- When is the first frost in Columbia, LA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 22. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by November 4, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 71418?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 263 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.