Columbus, MS frost dates
Last spring frostMar 13median date
First fall frostNov 12median date
Growing season244 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone8bZone 8b
How Columbus compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Columbus falls between February 19 and April 2, a 42-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 30 and December 1.
- The median last frost is 4 days earlier than the Mississippi median of Mar 17.
- Its 244-day growing season is longer than 63% of the 435 Mississippi places with a regular frost season (state median 239 days).
- The last frost is typical for zone 8b, where the median is Mar 16.
- The weather station records an average of 50 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Tuscaloosa, AL, 88 km away, the last frost here is 5 days earlier than there and the growing season is 7 days longer.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | February 19 |
| 50% (median) | March 13 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | April 2 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 30 |
| 50% (median) | November 12 |
| 90% (late) | December 1 |
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, MS
Columbus, MS frost dates — last frost Mar 13, first frost Nov 12, zone 8b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
JFMAMJJASOND
Start indoors: Dec 19 to Jan 2Start indoors: Dec 19 to Jan 2Transplant outside: Feb 13 to Feb 27
Start indoors: Jan 2 to Jan 16Transplant outside: Mar 27 to Apr 10
Start indoors: Jan 2 to Jan 16Transplant outside: Mar 27 to Apr 10
Start indoors: Jan 16 to Jan 30Transplant outside: Mar 20 to Apr 3
Start indoors: Jan 16 to Jan 30Transplant outside: Feb 20 to Mar 6Sow outdoors: Feb 13 to Mar 20Plant for fall: Sep 17 to Oct 15
Start indoors: Jan 16 to Jan 30Transplant outside: Feb 13 to Feb 27Sow outdoors: Feb 13 to Feb 27Plant for fall: Sep 3 to Sep 24
Start indoors: Jan 16 to Jan 30Transplant outside: Feb 27 to Mar 13Plant for fall: Aug 6 to Aug 27
Start indoors: Jan 16 to Jan 30Transplant outside: Feb 20 to Mar 6Plant for fall: Aug 6 to Aug 27
Start indoors: Jan 16 to Jan 30Transplant outside: Feb 27 to Mar 13Plant for fall: Aug 6 to Aug 27
Start indoors: Jan 30 to Feb 13Transplant outside: Apr 3 to Apr 17Sow outdoors: Apr 3 to Apr 17
Start indoors: Jan 30 to Feb 13Transplant outside: Mar 20 to Apr 3
Sow outdoors: Jan 30 to Feb 20Plant for fall: Aug 20 to Sep 10
Sow outdoors: Jan 30 to Feb 20Plant for fall: Sep 17 to Oct 8
Sow outdoors: Feb 6 to Mar 20Plant for fall: Oct 1 to Oct 22
Start indoors: Feb 13 to Feb 20Transplant outside: Mar 27 to Apr 3Sow outdoors: Mar 20 to Apr 3Plant for fall: Aug 27 to Sep 10
Start indoors: Feb 13 to Feb 20Sow outdoors: Mar 20 to Apr 3Plant for fall: Sep 3 to Sep 17
Start indoors: Feb 13 to Feb 20Sow outdoors: Mar 20 to Apr 3
Start indoors: Feb 13 to Feb 20Transplant outside: Mar 27 to Apr 10
Sow outdoors: Feb 20 to Mar 20Plant for fall: Aug 20 to Sep 3
Sow outdoors: Feb 20 to Mar 20Plant for fall: Sep 3 to Sep 17
Sow outdoors: Feb 20 to Mar 13
Sow outdoors: Feb 27 to Mar 27Plant for fall: Sep 3 to Sep 17
Sow outdoors: Feb 27 to Mar 20Plant for fall: Sep 17 to Oct 8
Sow outdoors: Mar 20 to Apr 10Plant for fall: Aug 27 to Sep 10
Sow outdoors: Mar 20 to Apr 3
Transplant outside: Mar 27 to Apr 17
Plant for fall: Oct 29 to Dec 3
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Columbus, MS
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Dec 19 – Jan 2 | Feb 13 – Feb 27 | — | — |
| Peppers | Jan 2 – Jan 16 | Mar 27 – Apr 10 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Jan 2 – Jan 16 | Mar 27 – Apr 10 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Jan 16 – Jan 30 | Mar 20 – Apr 3 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Jan 16 – Jan 30 | Feb 20 – Mar 6 | Feb 13 – Mar 20 | Sep 17 – Oct 15 |
| Kale | Jan 16 – Jan 30 | Feb 13 – Feb 27 | Feb 13 – Feb 27 | Sep 3 – Sep 24 |
| Broccoli | Jan 16 – Jan 30 | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | — | Aug 6 – Aug 27 |
| Cabbage | Jan 16 – Jan 30 | Feb 20 – Mar 6 | — | Aug 6 – Aug 27 |
| Cauliflower | Jan 16 – Jan 30 | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | — | Aug 6 – Aug 27 |
| Okra | Jan 30 – Feb 13 | Apr 3 – Apr 17 | Apr 3 – Apr 17 | — |
| Basil | Jan 30 – Feb 13 | Mar 20 – Apr 3 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Jan 30 – Feb 20 | Aug 20 – Sep 10 |
| Spinach | — | — | Jan 30 – Feb 20 | Sep 17 – Oct 8 |
| Radishes | — | — | Feb 6 – Mar 20 | Oct 1 – Oct 22 |
| Cucumbers | Feb 13 – Feb 20 | Mar 27 – Apr 3 | Mar 20 – Apr 3 | Aug 27 – Sep 10 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Feb 13 – Feb 20 | — | Mar 20 – Apr 3 | Sep 3 – Sep 17 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Feb 13 – Feb 20 | — | Mar 20 – Apr 3 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Feb 13 – Feb 20 | Mar 27 – Apr 10 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Feb 20 – Mar 20 | Aug 20 – Sep 3 |
| Beets | — | — | Feb 20 – Mar 20 | Sep 3 – Sep 17 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Feb 20 – Mar 13 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Feb 27 – Mar 27 | Sep 3 – Sep 17 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Feb 27 – Mar 20 | Sep 17 – Oct 8 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Mar 20 – Apr 10 | Aug 27 – Sep 10 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Mar 20 – Apr 3 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Mar 27 – Apr 17 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 29 – Dec 3 |
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 Columbus, MS weather station, 4 km away (elevation 144 ft (44 m)).
ZIP codes in Columbus: 39701 39702 39703 39704 39705 39710
Frost dates near Columbus
- Steens Mar 13 · Nov 12
- Mayhew Mar 23 · Nov 8
- Caledonia Mar 29 · Nov 5
- Artesia Mar 23 · Nov 8
- Crawford Mar 21 · Nov 7
- West Point Mar 23 · Nov 8
- Hamilton Mar 29 · Nov 5
- Mississippi State Mar 23 · Nov 8
- Brooksville Mar 21 · Nov 7
- Aberdeen Mar 29 · Nov 5
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Columbus, MS?
The median last spring frost in Columbus, MS is March 13. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after April 2, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Columbus, MS?
The median first fall frost is November 12, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 30.
How long is the growing season in Columbus, MS?
About 244 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Columbus, MS?
Columbus, MS is in USDA hardiness zone 8b.