Columbus, TX frost dates
Last spring frostMar 9median date
First fall frostNov 20median date
Growing season256 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone9aZone 9a
How Columbus compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Columbus falls between February 13 and March 31, a 46-day window. The first fall frost falls between November 1 and December 13.
- The median last frost is 6 days earlier than the Texas median of Mar 15.
- Its 256-day growing season is longer than 66% of the 1,316 Texas places with a regular frost season (state median 245 days).
- The last frost is 6 days later than the zone 9a median of Mar 3. Hardiness zones measure winter cold, not season length, so use these dates rather than a zone 9a chart.
- The weather station records an average of 30 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Nearby Sugar Land, TX, 88 km away, gets only light, occasional frost, a reminder of how much elevation and distance from the coast matter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | February 13 |
| 50% (median) | March 9 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | March 31 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | November 1 |
| 50% (median) | November 20 |
| 90% (late) | December 13 |
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, TX
Columbus, TX frost dates — last frost Mar 9, first frost Nov 20, zone 9a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Dec 15 to Dec 29Transplant outside: Feb 9 to Feb 23
Start indoors: Dec 29 to Jan 12Start indoors: Dec 29 to Jan 12Transplant outside: Mar 23 to Apr 6
Start indoors: Dec 29 to Jan 12Start indoors: Dec 29 to Jan 12Transplant outside: Mar 23 to Apr 6
Start indoors: Jan 12 to Jan 26Transplant outside: Mar 16 to Mar 30
Start indoors: Jan 12 to Jan 26Transplant outside: Feb 16 to Mar 2Sow outdoors: Feb 9 to Mar 16Plant for fall: Sep 25 to Oct 23
Start indoors: Jan 12 to Jan 26Transplant outside: Feb 9 to Feb 23Sow outdoors: Feb 9 to Feb 23Plant for fall: Sep 11 to Oct 2
Start indoors: Jan 12 to Jan 26Transplant outside: Feb 23 to Mar 9Plant for fall: Aug 14 to Sep 4
Start indoors: Jan 12 to Jan 26Transplant outside: Feb 16 to Mar 2Plant for fall: Aug 14 to Sep 4
Start indoors: Jan 12 to Jan 26Transplant outside: Feb 23 to Mar 9Plant for fall: Aug 14 to Sep 4
Start indoors: Jan 26 to Feb 9Transplant outside: Mar 30 to Apr 13Sow outdoors: Mar 30 to Apr 13
Start indoors: Jan 26 to Feb 9Transplant outside: Mar 16 to Mar 30
Sow outdoors: Jan 26 to Feb 16Plant for fall: Aug 28 to Sep 18
Sow outdoors: Jan 26 to Feb 16Plant for fall: Sep 25 to Oct 16
Sow outdoors: Feb 2 to Mar 16Plant for fall: Oct 9 to Oct 30
Start indoors: Feb 9 to Feb 16Transplant outside: Mar 23 to Mar 30Sow outdoors: Mar 16 to Mar 30Plant for fall: Sep 4 to Sep 18
Start indoors: Feb 9 to Feb 16Sow outdoors: Mar 16 to Mar 30Plant for fall: Sep 11 to Sep 25
Start indoors: Feb 9 to Feb 16Sow outdoors: Mar 16 to Mar 30
Start indoors: Feb 9 to Feb 16Transplant outside: Mar 23 to Apr 6
Sow outdoors: Feb 16 to Mar 16Plant for fall: Aug 28 to Sep 11
Sow outdoors: Feb 16 to Mar 16Plant for fall: Sep 11 to Sep 25
Sow outdoors: Feb 16 to Mar 9
Sow outdoors: Feb 23 to Mar 23Plant for fall: Sep 11 to Sep 25
Sow outdoors: Feb 23 to Mar 16Plant for fall: Sep 25 to Oct 16
Sow outdoors: Mar 16 to Apr 6Plant for fall: Sep 4 to Sep 18
Sow outdoors: Mar 16 to Mar 30
Transplant outside: Mar 23 to Apr 13
Plant for fall: Nov 6 to Dec 11
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Columbus, TX
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Dec 15 – Dec 29 | Feb 9 – Feb 23 | — | — |
| Peppers | Dec 29 – Jan 12 | Mar 23 – Apr 6 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Dec 29 – Jan 12 | Mar 23 – Apr 6 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Jan 12 – Jan 26 | Mar 16 – Mar 30 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Jan 12 – Jan 26 | Feb 16 – Mar 2 | Feb 9 – Mar 16 | Sep 25 – Oct 23 |
| Kale | Jan 12 – Jan 26 | Feb 9 – Feb 23 | Feb 9 – Feb 23 | Sep 11 – Oct 2 |
| Broccoli | Jan 12 – Jan 26 | Feb 23 – Mar 9 | — | Aug 14 – Sep 4 |
| Cabbage | Jan 12 – Jan 26 | Feb 16 – Mar 2 | — | Aug 14 – Sep 4 |
| Cauliflower | Jan 12 – Jan 26 | Feb 23 – Mar 9 | — | Aug 14 – Sep 4 |
| Okra | Jan 26 – Feb 9 | Mar 30 – Apr 13 | Mar 30 – Apr 13 | — |
| Basil | Jan 26 – Feb 9 | Mar 16 – Mar 30 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Jan 26 – Feb 16 | Aug 28 – Sep 18 |
| Spinach | — | — | Jan 26 – Feb 16 | Sep 25 – Oct 16 |
| Radishes | — | — | Feb 2 – Mar 16 | Oct 9 – Oct 30 |
| Cucumbers | Feb 9 – Feb 16 | Mar 23 – Mar 30 | Mar 16 – Mar 30 | Sep 4 – Sep 18 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Feb 9 – Feb 16 | — | Mar 16 – Mar 30 | Sep 11 – Sep 25 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Feb 9 – Feb 16 | — | Mar 16 – Mar 30 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Feb 9 – Feb 16 | Mar 23 – Apr 6 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Feb 16 – Mar 16 | Aug 28 – Sep 11 |
| Beets | — | — | Feb 16 – Mar 16 | Sep 11 – Sep 25 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Feb 16 – Mar 9 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Feb 23 – Mar 23 | Sep 11 – Sep 25 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Feb 23 – Mar 16 | Sep 25 – Oct 16 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Mar 16 – Apr 6 | Sep 4 – Sep 18 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Mar 16 – Mar 30 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Mar 23 – Apr 13 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Nov 6 – Dec 11 |
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, TX weather station, 2 km away (elevation 226 ft (69 m)).
Frost dates near Columbus
- Glidden Mar 9 · Nov 20
- Alleyton Mar 9 · Nov 20
- Cat Spring Feb 21 · Dec 1
- Altair Feb 21 · Dec 1
- Rock Island Mar 9 · Nov 20
- Weimar Mar 9 · Nov 20
- Ellinger Mar 4 · Nov 25
- Fayetteville Mar 9 · Nov 20
- New Ulm Mar 9 · Nov 20
- Eagle Lake Feb 21 · Dec 1
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Columbus, TX?
The median last spring frost in Columbus, TX is March 9. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after March 31, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Columbus, TX?
The median first fall frost is November 20, with about a 10% chance of frost before November 1.
How long is the growing season in Columbus, TX?
About 256 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Columbus, TX?
Columbus, TX is in USDA hardiness zone 9a.