Columbus, GA planting zone & frost dates
Columbus is in USDA hardiness zone 8b. The last spring frost usually comes around March 5 and the first fall frost around November 23, for a growing season of about 265 days.
Planting calendar for Columbus
Dates are counted from the average last spring frost (March 5) using the typical timing recommended by U.S. extension services. Warm-season crops go out only after the danger of frost has passed and the soil has warmed.
| Crop | When |
|---|---|
| Tomatoes | Start seeds indoors: Jan 8 – Jan 22 Transplant outdoors: Mar 12 – Mar 19 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors: Dec 25 – Jan 8 Transplant outdoors: Mar 19 – Mar 26 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors: Dec 25 – Jan 8 Transplant outdoors: Mar 19 – Mar 26 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors: Dec 25 – Jan 8 Transplant outdoors: Feb 5 – Feb 19 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors: Dec 25 – Jan 8 Transplant outdoors: Feb 5 – Feb 19 |
| Onions (sets) | Plant outdoors: Feb 5 – Feb 19 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors: Jan 22 – Feb 5 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors: Jan 22 – Feb 5 |
| Lettuce | Sow outdoors: Feb 5 – Feb 19 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors: Feb 5 – Feb 19 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors: Feb 5 – Feb 19 |
| Beans | Sow outdoors: Mar 12 – Mar 19 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors: Mar 12 – Mar 19 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors: Mar 12 – Mar 19 |
| Squash & zucchini | Sow outdoors: Mar 12 – Mar 19 |
| Basil | Start seeds indoors: Jan 22 – Feb 5 Transplant outdoors: Mar 12 – Mar 19 |
Fall garden: cool-season crops like lettuce, spinach and kale can be sown again around Sep 28 (8 weeks before the average first fall frost on Nov 23).
Useful for zone 8b gardens
- Seed starting kit with dome — to start seeds indoors before the last frost
- LED grow light for seedlings — stops leggy seedlings
- Frost cloth / plant covers — for late spring and early fall frosts
- Soil thermometer — warm-season crops need soil above 60°F
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Frost risk in detail
| 90% chance | 50% chance | 10% chance | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Last 32°F frost in spring is after | Feb 11 | Mar 5 | Mar 24 |
| First 32°F frost in fall is before | Dec 18 | Nov 23 | Nov 7 |
How to read it: in spring there is a 10% chance of a frost after March 24, so that is a safe date for tender plants. In fall there is a 10% chance of frost before November 7. A hard freeze (28°F) usually ends around February 21.
Hardiness zone by ZIP code in Columbus
- 31901 zone 8b
- 31902 zone 8b
- 31903 zone 8b
- 31904 zone 8b
- 31906 zone 8b
- 31907 zone 8b
- 31908 zone 8b
- 31909 zone 8b
- 31914 zone 8b
- 31917 zone 8b
- 31993 zone 8b
- 31997 zone 8b
- 31998 zone 8b
- 31999 zone 8b
Nearby cities
- Cusseta zone 8b, last frost Mar 26
- LaGrange zone 8a, last frost Mar 31
- Americus zone 8b, last frost Mar 20
- Newnan zone 8a, last frost Apr 3
- Peachtree City zone 8a, last frost Mar 26
- Griffin zone 8b, last frost Mar 20
- Fayetteville zone 8a, last frost Mar 25
- Carrollton zone 8a, last frost Mar 28
Questions
What growing zone is Columbus, GA?
Columbus is in USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 8b (average extreme winter low 15°F to 20°F), according to the USDA 2023 map.
When is the last frost in Columbus?
The average last spring frost (32°F) in Columbus is March 5. There is still a 10% chance of frost until March 24.
When can I plant tomatoes in Columbus?
Transplant tomatoes outdoors 1–2 weeks after the average last frost: around Mar 12 – Mar 19. Start seeds indoors 6–8 weeks before the last frost.
Frost dates: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station Columbus Metro Ap, GA (USW00093842), 7.5 km (4.7 mi) from the city center, elevation 120 m, based on 28 years of records. Hardiness zone: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map 2023 for the ZIP code nearest to the city center. Microclimates (valleys, hills, cities, coasts) can be warmer or colder: check the local forecast before planting. How we calculate the data.