Columbus, PA frost dates
Last spring frostMay 22median date
First fall frostSep 30median date
Growing season131 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone6aZone 6a
How Columbus compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Columbus falls between May 6 and June 5, a 30-day window. The first fall frost falls between September 16 and October 12.
- The median last frost is 25 days later than the Pennsylvania median of Apr 27.
- Its 131-day growing season is among the shortest of the 1,787 Pennsylvania places with a regular frost season.
- The last frost is 23 days later than the zone 6a median of Apr 29. Hardiness zones measure winter cold, not season length, so use these dates rather than a zone 6a chart.
- The weather station records an average of 173 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Erie, PA, 47 km away, the last frost here is 26 days later than there and the growing season is 61 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | May 6 |
| 50% (median) | May 22 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | June 5 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | September 16 |
| 50% (median) | September 30 |
| 90% (late) | October 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, PA
Columbus, PA frost dates — last frost May 22, first frost Sep 30, zone 6a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
JFMAMJJASOND
Start indoors: Feb 27 to Mar 13Transplant outside: Apr 24 to May 8
Start indoors: Mar 13 to Mar 27Transplant outside: Jun 5 to Jun 19
Start indoors: Mar 13 to Mar 27Transplant outside: Jun 5 to Jun 19
Start indoors: Mar 27 to Apr 10Transplant outside: May 29 to Jun 12
Start indoors: Mar 27 to Apr 10Transplant outside: May 1 to May 15Sow outdoors: Apr 24 to May 29Plant for fall: Aug 5 to Sep 2
Start indoors: Mar 27 to Apr 10Transplant outside: Apr 24 to May 8Sow outdoors: Apr 24 to May 8Plant for fall: Jul 22 to Aug 12
Start indoors: Mar 27 to Apr 10Transplant outside: May 8 to May 22Plant for fall: Jun 24 to Jul 15
Start indoors: Mar 27 to Apr 10Transplant outside: May 1 to May 15Plant for fall: Jun 24 to Jul 15
Start indoors: Mar 27 to Apr 10Transplant outside: May 8 to May 22Plant for fall: Jun 24 to Jul 15
Start indoors: Apr 10 to Apr 24Transplant outside: Jun 12 to Jun 26Sow outdoors: Jun 12 to Jun 26
Start indoors: Apr 10 to Apr 24Transplant outside: May 29 to Jun 12
Sow outdoors: Apr 10 to May 1Plant for fall: Jul 8 to Jul 29
Sow outdoors: Apr 10 to May 1Plant for fall: Aug 5 to Aug 26
Sow outdoors: Apr 17 to May 29Plant for fall: Aug 19 to Sep 9
Start indoors: Apr 24 to May 1Transplant outside: Jun 5 to Jun 12Sow outdoors: May 29 to Jun 12Plant for fall: Jul 15 to Jul 29
Start indoors: Apr 24 to May 1Sow outdoors: May 29 to Jun 12Plant for fall: Jul 22 to Aug 5
Start indoors: Apr 24 to May 1Sow outdoors: May 29 to Jun 12
Start indoors: Apr 24 to May 1Transplant outside: Jun 5 to Jun 19
Sow outdoors: May 1 to May 29Plant for fall: Jul 8 to Jul 22
Sow outdoors: May 1 to May 29Plant for fall: Jul 22 to Aug 5
Sow outdoors: May 1 to May 22
Sow outdoors: May 8 to Jun 5Plant for fall: Jul 22 to Aug 5
Sow outdoors: May 8 to May 29Plant for fall: Aug 5 to Aug 26
Sow outdoors: May 29 to Jun 19Plant for fall: Jul 15 to Jul 29
Sow outdoors: May 29 to Jun 12
Transplant outside: Jun 5 to Jun 26
Plant for fall: Sep 16 to Oct 21
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Columbus, PA
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | Apr 24 – May 8 | — | — |
| Peppers | Mar 13 – Mar 27 | Jun 5 – Jun 19 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Mar 13 – Mar 27 | Jun 5 – Jun 19 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Mar 27 – Apr 10 | May 29 – Jun 12 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Mar 27 – Apr 10 | May 1 – May 15 | Apr 24 – May 29 | Aug 5 – Sep 2 |
| Kale | Mar 27 – Apr 10 | Apr 24 – May 8 | Apr 24 – May 8 | Jul 22 – Aug 12 |
| Broccoli | Mar 27 – Apr 10 | May 8 – May 22 | — | Jun 24 – Jul 15 |
| Cabbage | Mar 27 – Apr 10 | May 1 – May 15 | — | Jun 24 – Jul 15 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 27 – Apr 10 | May 8 – May 22 | — | Jun 24 – Jul 15 |
| Okra | Apr 10 – Apr 24 | Jun 12 – Jun 26 | Jun 12 – Jun 26 | — |
| Basil | Apr 10 – Apr 24 | May 29 – Jun 12 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Apr 10 – May 1 | Jul 8 – Jul 29 |
| Spinach | — | — | Apr 10 – May 1 | Aug 5 – Aug 26 |
| Radishes | — | — | Apr 17 – May 29 | Aug 19 – Sep 9 |
| Cucumbers | Apr 24 – May 1 | Jun 5 – Jun 12 | May 29 – Jun 12 | Jul 15 – Jul 29 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Apr 24 – May 1 | — | May 29 – Jun 12 | Jul 22 – Aug 5 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Apr 24 – May 1 | — | May 29 – Jun 12 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Apr 24 – May 1 | Jun 5 – Jun 19 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | May 1 – May 29 | Jul 8 – Jul 22 |
| Beets | — | — | May 1 – May 29 | Jul 22 – Aug 5 |
| Potatoes | — | — | May 1 – May 22 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | May 8 – Jun 5 | Jul 22 – Aug 5 |
| Cilantro | — | — | May 8 – May 29 | Aug 5 – Aug 26 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 29 – Jun 19 | Jul 15 – Jul 29 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 29 – Jun 12 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Jun 5 – Jun 26 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Sep 16 – Oct 21 |
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 Chandlers Valley 1se, PA weather station, 23 km away (elevation 1,490 ft (454 m)).
Frost dates near Columbus
- Corry May 7 · Oct 10
- Bear Lake May 22 · Sep 30
- Spring Creek May 22 · Sep 30
- Elgin May 7 · Oct 10
- Garland May 22 · Sep 30
- Pittsfield May 22 · Sep 30
- Spartansburg May 12 · Oct 10
- Sugar Grove May 22 · Sep 30
- Chandlers Valley May 22 · Sep 30
- Youngsville May 22 · Sep 30
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Columbus, PA?
The median last spring frost in Columbus, PA is May 22. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after June 5, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Columbus, PA?
The median first fall frost is September 30, with about a 10% chance of frost before September 16.
How long is the growing season in Columbus, PA?
About 131 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Columbus, PA?
Columbus, PA is in USDA hardiness zone 6a.