Columbus, NC frost dates
Last spring frostMar 27median date
First fall frostNov 12median date
Growing season230 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone8aZone 8a
How Columbus compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Columbus falls between March 9 and April 14, a 36-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 29 and December 1.
- The median last frost is 5 days earlier than the North Carolina median of Apr 1.
- Its 230-day growing season is longer than 80% of the 759 North Carolina places with a regular frost season (state median 218 days).
- The last frost is typical for zone 8a, where the median is Mar 29.
- The weather station records an average of 51 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Greenville, SC, 48 km away, the last frost here is 1 day earlier than there and the growing season is 6 days longer.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | March 9 |
| 50% (median) | March 27 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | April 14 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 29 |
| 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, NC
Columbus, NC frost dates — last frost Mar 27, first frost Nov 12, zone 8a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Jan 2 to Jan 16Transplant outside: Feb 27 to Mar 13
Start indoors: Jan 16 to Jan 30Transplant outside: Apr 10 to Apr 24
Start indoors: Jan 16 to Jan 30Transplant outside: Apr 10 to Apr 24
Start indoors: Jan 30 to Feb 13Transplant outside: Apr 3 to Apr 17
Start indoors: Jan 30 to Feb 13Transplant outside: Mar 6 to Mar 20Sow outdoors: Feb 27 to Apr 3Plant for fall: Sep 17 to Oct 15
Start indoors: Jan 30 to Feb 13Transplant outside: Feb 27 to Mar 13Sow outdoors: Feb 27 to Mar 13Plant for fall: Sep 3 to Sep 24
Start indoors: Jan 30 to Feb 13Transplant outside: Mar 13 to Mar 27Plant for fall: Aug 6 to Aug 27
Start indoors: Jan 30 to Feb 13Transplant outside: Mar 6 to Mar 20Plant for fall: Aug 6 to Aug 27
Start indoors: Jan 30 to Feb 13Transplant outside: Mar 13 to Mar 27Plant for fall: Aug 6 to Aug 27
Start indoors: Feb 13 to Feb 27Transplant outside: Apr 17 to May 1Sow outdoors: Apr 17 to May 1
Start indoors: Feb 13 to Feb 27Transplant outside: Apr 3 to Apr 17
Sow outdoors: Feb 13 to Mar 6Plant for fall: Aug 20 to Sep 10
Sow outdoors: Feb 13 to Mar 6Plant for fall: Sep 17 to Oct 8
Sow outdoors: Feb 20 to Apr 3Plant for fall: Oct 1 to Oct 22
Start indoors: Feb 27 to Mar 6Transplant outside: Apr 10 to Apr 17Sow outdoors: Apr 3 to Apr 17Plant for fall: Aug 27 to Sep 10
Start indoors: Feb 27 to Mar 6Sow outdoors: Apr 3 to Apr 17Plant for fall: Sep 3 to Sep 17
Start indoors: Feb 27 to Mar 6Sow outdoors: Apr 3 to Apr 17
Start indoors: Feb 27 to Mar 6Transplant outside: Apr 10 to Apr 24
Sow outdoors: Mar 6 to Apr 3Plant for fall: Aug 20 to Sep 3
Sow outdoors: Mar 6 to Apr 3Plant for fall: Sep 3 to Sep 17
Sow outdoors: Mar 6 to Mar 27
Sow outdoors: Mar 13 to Apr 10Plant for fall: Sep 3 to Sep 17
Sow outdoors: Mar 13 to Apr 3Plant for fall: Sep 17 to Oct 8
Sow outdoors: Apr 3 to Apr 24Plant for fall: Aug 27 to Sep 10
Sow outdoors: Apr 3 to Apr 17
Transplant outside: Apr 10 to May 1
Plant for fall: Oct 29 to Dec 3
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Columbus, NC
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Jan 2 – Jan 16 | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | — | — |
| Peppers | Jan 16 – Jan 30 | Apr 10 – Apr 24 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Jan 16 – Jan 30 | Apr 10 – Apr 24 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Jan 30 – Feb 13 | Apr 3 – Apr 17 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Jan 30 – Feb 13 | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | Feb 27 – Apr 3 | Sep 17 – Oct 15 |
| Kale | Jan 30 – Feb 13 | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | Sep 3 – Sep 24 |
| Broccoli | Jan 30 – Feb 13 | Mar 13 – Mar 27 | — | Aug 6 – Aug 27 |
| Cabbage | Jan 30 – Feb 13 | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | — | Aug 6 – Aug 27 |
| Cauliflower | Jan 30 – Feb 13 | Mar 13 – Mar 27 | — | Aug 6 – Aug 27 |
| Okra | Feb 13 – Feb 27 | Apr 17 – May 1 | Apr 17 – May 1 | — |
| Basil | Feb 13 – Feb 27 | Apr 3 – Apr 17 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Feb 13 – Mar 6 | Aug 20 – Sep 10 |
| Spinach | — | — | Feb 13 – Mar 6 | Sep 17 – Oct 8 |
| Radishes | — | — | Feb 20 – Apr 3 | Oct 1 – Oct 22 |
| Cucumbers | Feb 27 – Mar 6 | Apr 10 – Apr 17 | Apr 3 – Apr 17 | Aug 27 – Sep 10 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Feb 27 – Mar 6 | — | Apr 3 – Apr 17 | Sep 3 – Sep 17 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Feb 27 – Mar 6 | — | Apr 3 – Apr 17 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Feb 27 – Mar 6 | Apr 10 – Apr 24 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Mar 6 – Apr 3 | Aug 20 – Sep 3 |
| Beets | — | — | Mar 6 – Apr 3 | Sep 3 – Sep 17 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Mar 6 – Mar 27 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Mar 13 – Apr 10 | Sep 3 – Sep 17 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Mar 13 – Apr 3 | Sep 17 – Oct 8 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Apr 3 – Apr 24 | Aug 27 – Sep 10 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Apr 3 – Apr 17 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Apr 10 – May 1 | — | — |
| 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 Tryon, NC weather station, 7 km away (elevation 1,319 ft (402 m)).
Frost dates near Columbus
- Lynn Mar 27 · Nov 12
- Tryon Mar 27 · Nov 12
- Mill Spring Apr 5 · Oct 30
- Saluda Mar 27 · Nov 12
- Flat Rock Apr 14 · Oct 25
- Dana Apr 14 · Oct 25
- Edneyville Apr 14 · Oct 25
- East Flat Rock Apr 14 · Oct 25
- Tuxedo Apr 14 · Oct 25
- Chimney Rock Apr 5 · Oct 30
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Columbus, NC?
The median last spring frost in Columbus, NC is March 27. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after April 14, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Columbus, NC?
The median first fall frost is November 12, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 29.
How long is the growing season in Columbus, NC?
About 230 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Columbus, NC?
Columbus, NC is in USDA hardiness zone 8a.