Frost dates for 47202 — Columbus, IN
Last spring frostApr 11median date
First fall frostOct 25median date
Growing season197 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone6bZone 6b
How Columbus compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Columbus falls between March 31 and April 30, a 30-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 12 and November 7.
- The median last frost is 11 days earlier than the Indiana median of Apr 22.
- Its 197-day growing season is longer than 84% of the 733 Indiana places with a regular frost season (state median 182 days).
- The last frost is 11 days earlier than the zone 6b median of Apr 22. Hardiness zones measure winter cold, not season length, so use these dates rather than a zone 6b chart.
- The weather station records an average of 108 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Greenwood, IN, 49 km away, the last frost here is 9 days earlier than there and the growing season is 13 days longer.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | March 31 |
| 50% (median) | April 11 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | April 30 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 12 |
| 50% (median) | October 25 |
| 90% (late) | November 7 |
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, IN
Frost dates for 47202 — Columbus, IN — last frost Apr 11, first frost Oct 25, zone 6b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Jan 17 to Jan 31Transplant outside: Mar 14 to Mar 28
Start indoors: Jan 31 to Feb 14Transplant outside: Apr 25 to May 9
Start indoors: Jan 31 to Feb 14Transplant outside: Apr 25 to May 9
Start indoors: Feb 14 to Feb 28Transplant outside: Apr 18 to May 2
Start indoors: Feb 14 to Feb 28Transplant outside: Mar 21 to Apr 4Sow outdoors: Mar 14 to Apr 18Plant for fall: Aug 30 to Sep 27
Start indoors: Feb 14 to Feb 28Transplant outside: Mar 14 to Mar 28Sow outdoors: Mar 14 to Mar 28Plant for fall: Aug 16 to Sep 6
Start indoors: Feb 14 to Feb 28Transplant outside: Mar 28 to Apr 11Plant for fall: Jul 19 to Aug 9
Start indoors: Feb 14 to Feb 28Transplant outside: Mar 21 to Apr 4Plant for fall: Jul 19 to Aug 9
Start indoors: Feb 14 to Feb 28Transplant outside: Mar 28 to Apr 11Plant for fall: Jul 19 to Aug 9
Start indoors: Feb 28 to Mar 14Transplant outside: May 2 to May 16Sow outdoors: May 2 to May 16
Start indoors: Feb 28 to Mar 14Transplant outside: Apr 18 to May 2
Sow outdoors: Feb 28 to Mar 21Plant for fall: Aug 2 to Aug 23
Sow outdoors: Feb 28 to Mar 21Plant for fall: Aug 30 to Sep 20
Sow outdoors: Mar 7 to Apr 18Plant for fall: Sep 13 to Oct 4
Start indoors: Mar 14 to Mar 21Transplant outside: Apr 25 to May 2Sow outdoors: Apr 18 to May 2Plant for fall: Aug 9 to Aug 23
Start indoors: Mar 14 to Mar 21Sow outdoors: Apr 18 to May 2Plant for fall: Aug 16 to Aug 30
Start indoors: Mar 14 to Mar 21Sow outdoors: Apr 18 to May 2
Start indoors: Mar 14 to Mar 21Transplant outside: Apr 25 to May 9
Sow outdoors: Mar 21 to Apr 18Plant for fall: Aug 2 to Aug 16
Sow outdoors: Mar 21 to Apr 18Plant for fall: Aug 16 to Aug 30
Sow outdoors: Mar 21 to Apr 11
Sow outdoors: Mar 28 to Apr 25Plant for fall: Aug 16 to Aug 30
Sow outdoors: Mar 28 to Apr 18Plant for fall: Aug 30 to Sep 20
Sow outdoors: Apr 18 to May 9Plant for fall: Aug 9 to Aug 23
Sow outdoors: Apr 18 to May 2
Transplant outside: Apr 25 to May 16
Plant for fall: Oct 11 to Nov 15
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Columbus, IN
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Jan 17 – Jan 31 | Mar 14 – Mar 28 | — | — |
| Peppers | Jan 31 – Feb 14 | Apr 25 – May 9 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Jan 31 – Feb 14 | Apr 25 – May 9 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Feb 14 – Feb 28 | Apr 18 – May 2 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Feb 14 – Feb 28 | Mar 21 – Apr 4 | Mar 14 – Apr 18 | Aug 30 – Sep 27 |
| Kale | Feb 14 – Feb 28 | Mar 14 – Mar 28 | Mar 14 – Mar 28 | Aug 16 – Sep 6 |
| Broccoli | Feb 14 – Feb 28 | Mar 28 – Apr 11 | — | Jul 19 – Aug 9 |
| Cabbage | Feb 14 – Feb 28 | Mar 21 – Apr 4 | — | Jul 19 – Aug 9 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 14 – Feb 28 | Mar 28 – Apr 11 | — | Jul 19 – Aug 9 |
| Okra | Feb 28 – Mar 14 | May 2 – May 16 | May 2 – May 16 | — |
| Basil | Feb 28 – Mar 14 | Apr 18 – May 2 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Feb 28 – Mar 21 | Aug 2 – Aug 23 |
| Spinach | — | — | Feb 28 – Mar 21 | Aug 30 – Sep 20 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 7 – Apr 18 | Sep 13 – Oct 4 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 14 – Mar 21 | Apr 25 – May 2 | Apr 18 – May 2 | Aug 9 – Aug 23 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 14 – Mar 21 | — | Apr 18 – May 2 | Aug 16 – Aug 30 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Mar 14 – Mar 21 | — | Apr 18 – May 2 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Mar 14 – Mar 21 | Apr 25 – May 9 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Mar 21 – Apr 18 | Aug 2 – Aug 16 |
| Beets | — | — | Mar 21 – Apr 18 | Aug 16 – Aug 30 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Mar 21 – Apr 11 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Mar 28 – Apr 25 | Aug 16 – Aug 30 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Mar 28 – Apr 18 | Aug 30 – Sep 20 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Apr 18 – May 9 | Aug 9 – Aug 23 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Apr 18 – May 2 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Apr 25 – May 16 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 11 – Nov 15 |
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, IN weather station, 4 km away (elevation 610 ft (186 m)).
ZIP codes in Columbus: 47201 47202 47203
Frost dates near Columbus
- Clifford Apr 11 · Oct 25
- Taylorsville Apr 11 · Oct 25
- Elizabethtown Apr 11 · Oct 25
- Jonesville Apr 16 · Oct 21
- Hope Apr 11 · Oct 25
- Grammer Apr 11 · Oct 25
- Edinburgh Apr 20 · Oct 19
- Hartsville Apr 15 · Oct 26
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Columbus, IN?
The median last spring frost in Columbus, IN is April 11. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after April 30, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Columbus, IN?
The median first fall frost is October 25, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 12.
How long is the growing season in Columbus, IN?
About 197 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Columbus, IN?
Columbus, IN is in USDA hardiness zone 6b.