Columbus, KY frost dates
Last spring frostApr 6median date
First fall frostOct 30median date
Growing season207 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone7bZone 7b
How Columbus compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Columbus falls between March 18 and April 22, a 35-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 18 and November 12.
- The median last frost is 10 days earlier than the Kentucky median of Apr 16.
- Its 207-day growing season is longer than 79% of the 785 Kentucky places with a regular frost season (state median 192 days).
- The last frost is typical for zone 7b, where the median is Apr 5.
- The weather station records an average of 88 nights a year at or below 32°F.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | March 18 |
| 50% (median) | April 6 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | April 22 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 18 |
| 50% (median) | October 30 |
| 90% (late) | November 12 |
Frost here means 32°F (0°C). A median date means half of years have their last frost earlier and half later.
Planting calendar for Columbus, KY
Columbus, KY frost dates — last frost Apr 6, first frost Oct 30, zone 7b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Jan 12 to Jan 26Transplant outside: Mar 9 to Mar 23
Start indoors: Jan 26 to Feb 9Transplant outside: Apr 20 to May 4
Start indoors: Jan 26 to Feb 9Transplant outside: Apr 20 to May 4
Start indoors: Feb 9 to Feb 23Transplant outside: Apr 13 to Apr 27
Start indoors: Feb 9 to Feb 23Transplant outside: Mar 16 to Mar 30Sow outdoors: Mar 9 to Apr 13Plant for fall: Sep 4 to Oct 2
Start indoors: Feb 9 to Feb 23Transplant outside: Mar 9 to Mar 23Sow outdoors: Mar 9 to Mar 23Plant for fall: Aug 21 to Sep 11
Start indoors: Feb 9 to Feb 23Transplant outside: Mar 23 to Apr 6Plant for fall: Jul 24 to Aug 14
Start indoors: Feb 9 to Feb 23Transplant outside: Mar 16 to Mar 30Plant for fall: Jul 24 to Aug 14
Start indoors: Feb 9 to Feb 23Transplant outside: Mar 23 to Apr 6Plant for fall: Jul 24 to Aug 14
Start indoors: Feb 23 to Mar 9Transplant outside: Apr 27 to May 11Sow outdoors: Apr 27 to May 11
Start indoors: Feb 23 to Mar 9Transplant outside: Apr 13 to Apr 27
Sow outdoors: Feb 23 to Mar 16Plant for fall: Aug 7 to Aug 28
Sow outdoors: Feb 23 to Mar 16Plant for fall: Sep 4 to Sep 25
Sow outdoors: Mar 2 to Apr 13Plant for fall: Sep 18 to Oct 9
Start indoors: Mar 9 to Mar 16Transplant outside: Apr 20 to Apr 27Sow outdoors: Apr 13 to Apr 27Plant for fall: Aug 14 to Aug 28
Start indoors: Mar 9 to Mar 16Sow outdoors: Apr 13 to Apr 27Plant for fall: Aug 21 to Sep 4
Start indoors: Mar 9 to Mar 16Sow outdoors: Apr 13 to Apr 27
Start indoors: Mar 9 to Mar 16Transplant outside: Apr 20 to May 4
Sow outdoors: Mar 16 to Apr 13Plant for fall: Aug 7 to Aug 21
Sow outdoors: Mar 16 to Apr 13Plant for fall: Aug 21 to Sep 4
Sow outdoors: Mar 16 to Apr 6
Sow outdoors: Mar 23 to Apr 20Plant for fall: Aug 21 to Sep 4
Sow outdoors: Mar 23 to Apr 13Plant for fall: Sep 4 to Sep 25
Sow outdoors: Apr 13 to May 4Plant for fall: Aug 14 to Aug 28
Sow outdoors: Apr 13 to Apr 27
Transplant outside: Apr 20 to May 11
Plant for fall: Oct 16 to Nov 20
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Columbus, KY
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Jan 12 – Jan 26 | Mar 9 – Mar 23 | — | — |
| Peppers | Jan 26 – Feb 9 | Apr 20 – May 4 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Jan 26 – Feb 9 | Apr 20 – May 4 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Feb 9 – Feb 23 | Apr 13 – Apr 27 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Feb 9 – Feb 23 | Mar 16 – Mar 30 | Mar 9 – Apr 13 | Sep 4 – Oct 2 |
| Kale | Feb 9 – Feb 23 | Mar 9 – Mar 23 | Mar 9 – Mar 23 | Aug 21 – Sep 11 |
| Broccoli | Feb 9 – Feb 23 | Mar 23 – Apr 6 | — | Jul 24 – Aug 14 |
| Cabbage | Feb 9 – Feb 23 | Mar 16 – Mar 30 | — | Jul 24 – Aug 14 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 9 – Feb 23 | Mar 23 – Apr 6 | — | Jul 24 – Aug 14 |
| Okra | Feb 23 – Mar 9 | Apr 27 – May 11 | Apr 27 – May 11 | — |
| Basil | Feb 23 – Mar 9 | Apr 13 – Apr 27 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Feb 23 – Mar 16 | Aug 7 – Aug 28 |
| Spinach | — | — | Feb 23 – Mar 16 | Sep 4 – Sep 25 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 2 – Apr 13 | Sep 18 – Oct 9 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 9 – Mar 16 | Apr 20 – Apr 27 | Apr 13 – Apr 27 | Aug 14 – Aug 28 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 9 – Mar 16 | — | Apr 13 – Apr 27 | Aug 21 – Sep 4 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Mar 9 – Mar 16 | — | Apr 13 – Apr 27 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Mar 9 – Mar 16 | Apr 20 – May 4 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Mar 16 – Apr 13 | Aug 7 – Aug 21 |
| Beets | — | — | Mar 16 – Apr 13 | Aug 21 – Sep 4 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Mar 16 – Apr 6 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Mar 23 – Apr 20 | Aug 21 – Sep 4 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Mar 23 – Apr 13 | Sep 4 – Sep 25 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Apr 13 – May 4 | Aug 14 – Aug 28 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Apr 13 – Apr 27 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Apr 20 – May 11 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 16 – Nov 20 |
Dates come from the median frost dates and common extension-service timing. Adjust for your soil temperature, microclimate and the varieties you grow.
About these dates
Based on 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals for the Bardwell 2 E, KY weather station, 17 km away (elevation 410 ft (125 m)).
Frost dates near Columbus
- Arlington Apr 6 · Oct 30
- Bardwell Apr 6 · Oct 30
- Clinton Apr 6 · Oct 30
- Milburn Apr 6 · Oct 30
- Hickman Apr 3 · Nov 1
- Wickliffe Apr 6 · Oct 30
- Cunningham Apr 6 · Oct 30
- Fancy Farm Apr 6 · Oct 30
- Fulton Apr 3 · Oct 29
- Lowes Apr 6 · Oct 30
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Columbus, KY?
The median last spring frost in Columbus, KY is April 6. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after April 22, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Columbus, KY?
The median first fall frost is October 30, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 18.
How long is the growing season in Columbus, KY?
About 207 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Columbus, KY?
Columbus, KY is in USDA hardiness zone 7b.