Columbus, NJ frost dates
Last spring frostApr 15median date
First fall frostOct 29median date
Growing season197 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone7aZone 7a
How Columbus compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Columbus falls between April 1 and April 29, a 28-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 14 and November 10.
- The median last frost is 1 day earlier than the New Jersey median of Apr 16.
- Its 197-day growing season is longer than 57% of the 582 New Jersey places with a regular frost season (state median 194 days).
- The last frost is typical for zone 7a, where the median is Apr 16.
- The weather station records an average of 111 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Levittown, PA, 17 km away, the last frost here is 6 days earlier than there and the growing season is 10 days longer.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 1 |
| 50% (median) | April 15 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | April 29 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 14 |
| 50% (median) | October 29 |
| 90% (late) | November 10 |
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, NJ
Columbus, NJ frost dates — last frost Apr 15, first frost Oct 29, zone 7a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
JFMAMJJASOND
Start indoors: Jan 21 to Feb 4Transplant outside: Mar 18 to Apr 1
Start indoors: Feb 4 to Feb 18Transplant outside: Apr 29 to May 13
Start indoors: Feb 4 to Feb 18Transplant outside: Apr 29 to May 13
Start indoors: Feb 18 to Mar 4Transplant outside: Apr 22 to May 6
Start indoors: Feb 18 to Mar 4Transplant outside: Mar 25 to Apr 8Sow outdoors: Mar 18 to Apr 22Plant for fall: Sep 3 to Oct 1
Start indoors: Feb 18 to Mar 4Transplant outside: Mar 18 to Apr 1Sow outdoors: Mar 18 to Apr 1Plant for fall: Aug 20 to Sep 10
Start indoors: Feb 18 to Mar 4Transplant outside: Apr 1 to Apr 15Plant for fall: Jul 23 to Aug 13
Start indoors: Feb 18 to Mar 4Transplant outside: Mar 25 to Apr 8Plant for fall: Jul 23 to Aug 13
Start indoors: Feb 18 to Mar 4Transplant outside: Apr 1 to Apr 15Plant for fall: Jul 23 to Aug 13
Start indoors: Mar 4 to Mar 18Transplant outside: May 6 to May 20Sow outdoors: May 6 to May 20
Start indoors: Mar 4 to Mar 18Transplant outside: Apr 22 to May 6
Sow outdoors: Mar 4 to Mar 25Plant for fall: Aug 6 to Aug 27
Sow outdoors: Mar 4 to Mar 25Plant for fall: Sep 3 to Sep 24
Sow outdoors: Mar 11 to Apr 22Plant for fall: Sep 17 to Oct 8
Start indoors: Mar 18 to Mar 25Transplant outside: Apr 29 to May 6Sow outdoors: Apr 22 to May 6Plant for fall: Aug 13 to Aug 27
Start indoors: Mar 18 to Mar 25Sow outdoors: Apr 22 to May 6Plant for fall: Aug 20 to Sep 3
Start indoors: Mar 18 to Mar 25Sow outdoors: Apr 22 to May 6
Start indoors: Mar 18 to Mar 25Transplant outside: Apr 29 to May 13
Sow outdoors: Mar 25 to Apr 22Plant for fall: Aug 6 to Aug 20
Sow outdoors: Mar 25 to Apr 22Plant for fall: Aug 20 to Sep 3
Sow outdoors: Mar 25 to Apr 15
Sow outdoors: Apr 1 to Apr 29Plant for fall: Aug 20 to Sep 3
Sow outdoors: Apr 1 to Apr 22Plant for fall: Sep 3 to Sep 24
Sow outdoors: Apr 22 to May 13Plant for fall: Aug 13 to Aug 27
Sow outdoors: Apr 22 to May 6
Transplant outside: Apr 29 to May 20
Plant for fall: Oct 15 to Nov 19
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Columbus, NJ
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Jan 21 – Feb 4 | Mar 18 – Apr 1 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 4 – Feb 18 | Apr 29 – May 13 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 4 – Feb 18 | Apr 29 – May 13 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Feb 18 – Mar 4 | Apr 22 – May 6 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Feb 18 – Mar 4 | Mar 25 – Apr 8 | Mar 18 – Apr 22 | Sep 3 – Oct 1 |
| Kale | Feb 18 – Mar 4 | Mar 18 – Apr 1 | Mar 18 – Apr 1 | Aug 20 – Sep 10 |
| Broccoli | Feb 18 – Mar 4 | Apr 1 – Apr 15 | — | Jul 23 – Aug 13 |
| Cabbage | Feb 18 – Mar 4 | Mar 25 – Apr 8 | — | Jul 23 – Aug 13 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 18 – Mar 4 | Apr 1 – Apr 15 | — | Jul 23 – Aug 13 |
| Okra | Mar 4 – Mar 18 | May 6 – May 20 | May 6 – May 20 | — |
| Basil | Mar 4 – Mar 18 | Apr 22 – May 6 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 4 – Mar 25 | Aug 6 – Aug 27 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 4 – Mar 25 | Sep 3 – Sep 24 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 11 – Apr 22 | Sep 17 – Oct 8 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 18 – Mar 25 | Apr 29 – May 6 | Apr 22 – May 6 | Aug 13 – Aug 27 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 18 – Mar 25 | — | Apr 22 – May 6 | Aug 20 – Sep 3 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Mar 18 – Mar 25 | — | Apr 22 – May 6 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Mar 18 – Mar 25 | Apr 29 – May 13 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Mar 25 – Apr 22 | Aug 6 – Aug 20 |
| Beets | — | — | Mar 25 – Apr 22 | Aug 20 – Sep 3 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Mar 25 – Apr 15 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 1 – Apr 29 | Aug 20 – Sep 3 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 1 – Apr 22 | Sep 3 – Sep 24 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Apr 22 – May 13 | Aug 13 – Aug 27 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Apr 22 – May 6 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Apr 29 – May 20 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 15 – Nov 19 |
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 Philadelphia/Mt Holly Wfo, NJ weather station, 12 km away (elevation 62 ft (19 m)).
Frost dates near Columbus
- Jobstown Apr 15 · Oct 29
- Juliustown Apr 15 · Oct 29
- Chesterfield Apr 25 · Oct 16
- Bordentown Apr 17 · Oct 28
- Roebling Apr 15 · Oct 29
- Birmingham Apr 15 · Oct 29
- Wrightstown Apr 25 · Oct 16
- Mount Holly Apr 15 · Oct 29
- Pemberton Apr 15 · Oct 29
- Cookstown Apr 15 · Oct 29
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Columbus, NJ?
The median last spring frost in Columbus, NJ is April 15. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after April 29, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Columbus, NJ?
The median first fall frost is October 29, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 14.
How long is the growing season in Columbus, NJ?
About 197 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Columbus, NJ?
Columbus, NJ is in USDA hardiness zone 7a.