Columbia, NC frost dates
Last spring frostMar 29median date
First fall frostNov 13median date
Growing season229 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone8bZone 8b
How Columbia compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Columbia falls between March 11 and April 10, a 30-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 31 and December 2.
- The median last frost is 3 days earlier than the North Carolina median of Apr 1.
- Its 229-day growing season is longer than 77% of the 759 North Carolina places with a regular frost season (state median 218 days).
- The last frost is 13 days later than the zone 8b median of Mar 16. Hardiness zones measure winter cold, not season length, so use these dates rather than a zone 8b chart.
- The weather station records an average of 59 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Chesapeake, VA, 94 km away, the last frost here is 6 days later than there and the growing season is 9 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | March 11 |
| 50% (median) | March 29 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | April 10 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 31 |
| 50% (median) | November 13 |
| 90% (late) | December 2 |
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 Columbia, NC
Columbia, NC frost dates — last frost Mar 29, first frost Nov 13, zone 8b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Jan 4 to Jan 18Transplant outside: Mar 1 to Mar 15
Start indoors: Jan 18 to Feb 1Transplant outside: Apr 12 to Apr 26
Start indoors: Jan 18 to Feb 1Transplant outside: Apr 12 to Apr 26
Start indoors: Feb 1 to Feb 15Transplant outside: Apr 5 to Apr 19
Start indoors: Feb 1 to Feb 15Transplant outside: Mar 8 to Mar 22Sow outdoors: Mar 1 to Apr 5Plant for fall: Sep 18 to Oct 16
Start indoors: Feb 1 to Feb 15Transplant outside: Mar 1 to Mar 15Sow outdoors: Mar 1 to Mar 15Plant for fall: Sep 4 to Sep 25
Start indoors: Feb 1 to Feb 15Transplant outside: Mar 15 to Mar 29Plant for fall: Aug 7 to Aug 28
Start indoors: Feb 1 to Feb 15Transplant outside: Mar 8 to Mar 22Plant for fall: Aug 7 to Aug 28
Start indoors: Feb 1 to Feb 15Transplant outside: Mar 15 to Mar 29Plant for fall: Aug 7 to Aug 28
Start indoors: Feb 15 to Mar 1Transplant outside: Apr 19 to May 3Sow outdoors: Apr 19 to May 3
Start indoors: Feb 15 to Mar 1Transplant outside: Apr 5 to Apr 19
Sow outdoors: Feb 15 to Mar 8Plant for fall: Aug 21 to Sep 11
Sow outdoors: Feb 15 to Mar 8Plant for fall: Sep 18 to Oct 9
Sow outdoors: Feb 22 to Apr 5Plant for fall: Oct 2 to Oct 23
Start indoors: Mar 1 to Mar 8Transplant outside: Apr 12 to Apr 19Sow outdoors: Apr 5 to Apr 19Plant for fall: Aug 28 to Sep 11
Start indoors: Mar 1 to Mar 8Sow outdoors: Apr 5 to Apr 19Plant for fall: Sep 4 to Sep 18
Start indoors: Mar 1 to Mar 8Sow outdoors: Apr 5 to Apr 19
Start indoors: Mar 1 to Mar 8Transplant outside: Apr 12 to Apr 26
Sow outdoors: Mar 8 to Apr 5Plant for fall: Aug 21 to Sep 4
Sow outdoors: Mar 8 to Apr 5Plant for fall: Sep 4 to Sep 18
Sow outdoors: Mar 8 to Mar 29
Sow outdoors: Mar 15 to Apr 12Plant for fall: Sep 4 to Sep 18
Sow outdoors: Mar 15 to Apr 5Plant for fall: Sep 18 to Oct 9
Sow outdoors: Apr 5 to Apr 26Plant for fall: Aug 28 to Sep 11
Sow outdoors: Apr 5 to Apr 19
Transplant outside: Apr 12 to May 3
Plant for fall: Oct 30 to Dec 4
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Columbia, NC
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Jan 4 – Jan 18 | Mar 1 – Mar 15 | — | — |
| Peppers | Jan 18 – Feb 1 | Apr 12 – Apr 26 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Jan 18 – Feb 1 | Apr 12 – Apr 26 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Feb 1 – Feb 15 | Apr 5 – Apr 19 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Feb 1 – Feb 15 | Mar 8 – Mar 22 | Mar 1 – Apr 5 | Sep 18 – Oct 16 |
| Kale | Feb 1 – Feb 15 | Mar 1 – Mar 15 | Mar 1 – Mar 15 | Sep 4 – Sep 25 |
| Broccoli | Feb 1 – Feb 15 | Mar 15 – Mar 29 | — | Aug 7 – Aug 28 |
| Cabbage | Feb 1 – Feb 15 | Mar 8 – Mar 22 | — | Aug 7 – Aug 28 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 1 – Feb 15 | Mar 15 – Mar 29 | — | Aug 7 – Aug 28 |
| Okra | Feb 15 – Mar 1 | Apr 19 – May 3 | Apr 19 – May 3 | — |
| Basil | Feb 15 – Mar 1 | Apr 5 – Apr 19 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Feb 15 – Mar 8 | Aug 21 – Sep 11 |
| Spinach | — | — | Feb 15 – Mar 8 | Sep 18 – Oct 9 |
| Radishes | — | — | Feb 22 – Apr 5 | Oct 2 – Oct 23 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 1 – Mar 8 | Apr 12 – Apr 19 | Apr 5 – Apr 19 | Aug 28 – Sep 11 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 1 – Mar 8 | — | Apr 5 – Apr 19 | Sep 4 – Sep 18 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Mar 1 – Mar 8 | — | Apr 5 – Apr 19 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Mar 1 – Mar 8 | Apr 12 – Apr 26 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Mar 8 – Apr 5 | Aug 21 – Sep 4 |
| Beets | — | — | Mar 8 – Apr 5 | Sep 4 – Sep 18 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Mar 8 – Mar 29 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Mar 15 – Apr 12 | Sep 4 – Sep 18 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Mar 15 – Apr 5 | Sep 18 – Oct 9 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Apr 5 – Apr 26 | Aug 28 – Sep 11 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Apr 5 – Apr 19 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Apr 12 – May 3 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 30 – Dec 4 |
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 Columbia Ag Gum Neck, NC weather station, 24 km away (elevation 10 ft (3 m)).
Frost dates near Columbia
- Creswell Mar 24 · Nov 14
- Roper Mar 31 · Nov 7
- Hertford Mar 24 · Nov 14
- Manns Harbor Mar 15 · Dec 6
- Fairfield Apr 7 · Nov 4
- Edenton Mar 24 · Nov 14
- Winfall Mar 24 · Nov 14
- Elizabeth City Mar 27 · Nov 17
- Shiloh Mar 28 · Nov 12
- Harbinger Mar 15 · Dec 6
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Columbia, NC?
The median last spring frost in Columbia, NC is March 29. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after April 10, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Columbia, NC?
The median first fall frost is November 13, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 31.
How long is the growing season in Columbia, NC?
About 229 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Columbia, NC?
Columbia, NC is in USDA hardiness zone 8b.