Frost Dates for Columbia, KY 42728
Last spring frost April 18 · First fall frost October 20 · 185 frost-free days · USDA Zone 7a
ZIP 42728 has about 16,400 people.
Long season: 185 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans April 3–May 2 (29 days). Fall frost risk spans October 6–November 3 (28 days).
Frost probability for 42728
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | May 2 | April 18 | April 3 |
| Fall (first frost) | October 6 | October 20 | November 3 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at GREENSBURG (25.0 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 185-day season in Columbia
In Columbia (185 frost-free days, a long season), 30 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 25 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.
| Crop | Start indoors | Plant out / sow | Days you have | Verdict | Last sow date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tomato | Mar 14 | May 2–May 9 | 143 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 143 available after May 2. | Jun 20 |
| Pepper | Mar 7 | May 2–May 9 | 143 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 143 available after May 2. | Jun 25 |
| Lettuce | Feb 21 | Mar 21–Mar 28 | 220 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 21 and again by Aug 29; both mature before Oct 27. | Aug 29 |
| Carrots | — | Mar 28–Apr 4 | 227 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 227 available after Mar 28. | Aug 18 |
| Cucumber | Mar 28 | May 2–May 9 | 157 | two-plantings: Plant May 2 and again by Jul 24; both mature before Oct 6. | Jul 24 |
| Beans | — | Apr 25–May 9 | 171 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 25 and again by Jul 31; both mature before Oct 13. | Jul 31 |
| Peas | — | Feb 21–May 2 | 248 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 248 available after Feb 21. | Aug 9 |
| Zucchini | Apr 4 | May 2–May 9 | 157 | two-plantings: Plant May 2 and again by Jul 29; both mature before Oct 6. | Jul 29 |
| Onion | Jan 24 | Mar 21–Apr 4 | 220 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 220 available after Mar 21. | — |
| Spinach | — | Feb 21–Apr 11 | 262 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 21 and again by Sep 17; both mature before Nov 10. | Sep 17 |
| Kale | Feb 7 | Mar 21–Apr 4 | 234 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 21 and again by Sep 2; both mature before Nov 10. | Sep 2 |
| Broccoli | Feb 21 | Mar 21–Apr 4 | 220 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 220 available after Mar 21. | Jul 25 |
| Cabbage | Feb 21 | Mar 21–Apr 4 | 234 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 234 available after Mar 21. | Aug 18 |
| Radish | — | Feb 21–May 16 | 248 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 21 and again by Sep 18; both mature before Oct 27. | Sep 18 |
| Beets | — | Feb 21–May 16 | 248 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 21 and again by Aug 19; both mature before Oct 27. | Aug 19 |
| Potatoes | — | Apr 4–Apr 11 | 206 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 206 available after Apr 4. | — |
| Garlic | — | Oct 20 | 290 | overwinter: Plant Oct 20 to Nov 10; harvest the following summer. | Nov 10 |
| Strawberry | — | Mar 14–May 9 | 241 | perennial: A perennial: plant Mar 14; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Mar 21 | Apr 25–May 2 | 157 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 157 available after Apr 25. | Jul 2 |
| Pumpkin | Apr 4 | May 2–May 2 | 150 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 150 available after May 2. | Jun 7 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 7 | Apr 11–Apr 25 | 199 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 199 available after Apr 11. | Jul 30 |
| Swiss Chard | Feb 21 | Apr 4–Apr 4 | 206 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 4 and again by Aug 19; both mature before Oct 27. | Aug 19 |
| Arugula | — | Feb 21–May 16 | 262 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 21 and again by Sep 17; both mature before Nov 10. | Sep 17 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Feb 21 | Mar 21–Apr 4 | 234 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 234 available after Mar 21. | Jul 19 |
| Butternut Squash | Apr 4 | May 2–May 9 | 150 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 150 available after May 2. | Jun 7 |
| Eggplant | Feb 28 | May 2–May 9 | 143 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 143 available after May 2. | Jun 30 |
| Okra | Mar 21 | Apr 25–May 2 | 164 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 25 and again by Jul 29; both mature before Oct 6. | Jul 29 |
| Basil | Mar 14 | May 9–May 9 | 150 | two-plantings: Plant May 9 and again by Jul 24; both mature before Oct 6. | Jul 24 |
| Cilantro | — | Mar 21–Apr 11 | 220 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 21 and again by Aug 24; both mature before Oct 27. | Aug 24 |
| Parsley | Feb 7 | Apr 25–May 2 | 185 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 185 available after Apr 25. | Aug 4 |
| Celery | Feb 7 | Apr 25–May 9 | 185 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 185 available after Apr 25. | Jun 15 |
| Scallions | Feb 7 | Mar 21–Apr 4 | 234 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 21 and again by Aug 28; both mature before Nov 10. | Aug 28 |
| Turnip | — | Mar 21–Apr 4 | 234 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 21 and again by Sep 7; both mature before Nov 10. | Sep 7 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Mar 7–Mar 21 | 248 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 7 and again by Sep 2; both mature before Nov 10. | Sep 2 |
| Bok Choy | Mar 21 | Apr 11–Apr 18 | 199 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 11 and again by Aug 29; both mature before Oct 27. | Aug 29 |
| Collards | Feb 7 | Mar 21–Apr 4 | 234 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 21 and again by Aug 28; both mature before Nov 10. | Aug 28 |
| Cantaloupe | Apr 4 | May 2–May 9 | 143 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 143 available after May 2. | Jun 15 |
| Chives | Jan 24 | Apr 25–May 2 | 199 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 199 available after Apr 25. | — |
| Dill | — | Feb 21–May 16 | 248 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 21 and again by Aug 19; both mature before Oct 27. | Aug 19 |
| Oregano | Feb 7 | Apr 25–May 2 | 199 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 199 available after Apr 25. | — |
| Rosemary | Jan 24 | Apr 25–May 2 | 185 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 185 available after Apr 25. | — |
| Sage | Feb 21 | Apr 25–May 2 | 199 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 199 available after Apr 25. | — |
| Thyme | Feb 7 | Apr 25–May 2 | 199 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 199 available after Apr 25. | — |
| Calendula | Mar 7 | Apr 4–Apr 18 | 206 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 4 and again by Aug 24; both mature before Oct 27. | Aug 24 |
| Cosmos | Mar 21 | Apr 18–May 2 | 171 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 18 and again by Jul 24; both mature before Oct 6. | Jul 24 |
| Lavender | Jan 24 | Apr 18–May 2 | 206 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 206 available after Apr 18. | — |
| Marigolds | Mar 7 | Apr 18–Apr 25 | 171 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 18 and again by Aug 3; both mature before Oct 6. | Aug 3 |
| Melons | Apr 4 | May 2–May 9 | 143 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 143 available after May 2. | Jun 15 |
| Mint | — | Apr 18–May 2 | 206 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 206 available after Apr 18. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Mar 21 | Apr 18–Apr 25 | 171 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 18 and again by Jul 29; both mature before Oct 6. | Jul 29 |
| Pole Beans | — | Apr 25–May 9 | 164 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 164 available after Apr 25. | Jul 19 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Apr 4 | May 2–May 9 | 150 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 150 available after May 2. | Jun 17 |
| Sunflowers | — | Apr 18–May 2 | 171 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 171 available after Apr 18. | Jul 14 |
| Tomatillos | Feb 21 | Apr 25–May 2 | 150 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 150 available after Apr 25. | Jun 25 |
| Watermelon | Apr 4 | Apr 25–May 2 | 150 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 150 available after Apr 25. | Jun 20 |
| Yellow Squash | Apr 4 | May 2–May 9 | 157 | two-plantings: Plant May 2 and again by Jul 29; both mature before Oct 6. | Jul 29 |
| Zinnias | Mar 21 | Apr 18–May 2 | 171 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 18 and again by Jul 24; both mature before Oct 6. | Jul 24 |
Month by month in Columbia
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Start indoors: Chives (Jan 24), Lavender (Jan 24), Onion (Jan 24), Rosemary (Jan 24). |
| February | Start indoors: Celery (Feb 7), Collards (Feb 7), Kale (Feb 7), Oregano (Feb 7), Parsley (Feb 7), Scallions (Feb 7), +9 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Feb 21), Beets (Feb 21), Dill (Feb 21), Peas (Feb 21), Radish (Feb 21), Spinach (Feb 21). |
| March | Start indoors: Calendula (Mar 7), Cauliflower (Mar 7), Marigolds (Mar 7), Pepper (Mar 7), Basil (Mar 14), Tomato (Mar 14), +7 more. Direct sow from: Kohlrabi (Mar 7), Cilantro (Mar 21), Turnip (Mar 21), Carrots (Mar 28). Transplant from: Broccoli (Mar 21), Brussel Sprouts (Mar 21), Cabbage (Mar 21), Collards (Mar 21), Kale (Mar 21), Lettuce (Mar 21), +2 more. Plant: Strawberry (Mar 14). |
| April | Start indoors: Butternut Squash (Apr 4), Cantaloupe (Apr 4), Melons (Apr 4), Pumpkin (Apr 4), Spaghetti Squash (Apr 4), Watermelon (Apr 4), +2 more. Direct sow from: Potatoes (Apr 4), Sunflowers (Apr 18), Beans (Apr 25), Pole Beans (Apr 25). Transplant from: Calendula (Apr 4), Swiss Chard (Apr 4), Bok Choy (Apr 11), Cauliflower (Apr 11), Cosmos (Apr 18), Lavender (Apr 18), +15 more. Last frost around April 18. |
| May | Transplant from: Butternut Squash (May 2), Cantaloupe (May 2), Cucumber (May 2), Eggplant (May 2), Melons (May 2), Pepper (May 2), +6 more. |
| June | Last sowing dates: Butternut Squash (Jun 7), Pumpkin (Jun 7), Cantaloupe (Jun 15), Celery (Jun 15), Melons (Jun 15), Spaghetti Squash (Jun 17), +5 more. |
| July | Last sowing dates: Corn (Jul 2), Sunflowers (Jul 14), Brussel Sprouts (Jul 19), Pole Beans (Jul 19), Basil (Jul 24), Cosmos (Jul 24), +9 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Marigolds (Aug 3), Parsley (Aug 4), Peas (Aug 9), Cabbage (Aug 18), Carrots (Aug 18), Beets (Aug 19), +8 more. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Kale (Sep 2), Kohlrabi (Sep 2), Turnip (Sep 7), Arugula (Sep 17), Spinach (Sep 17), Radish (Sep 18). |
| October | Direct sow from: Garlic (Oct 20). First frost around October 20. |
| November | Last sowing dates: Garlic (Nov 10). |
| December | Clean up spent plants. Add compost to beds. Rest, review, and plan next year's garden. |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the last frost date for Columbia, KY (ZIP 42728)?
The median last spring frost date for Columbia, KY (ZIP code 42728) is around April 18. This is the 50th-percentile date — meaning half of all years see frost end before this date. Use the 10% and 90% dates to understand the full range of risk in your area. One year in ten frost ends before April 3; one in ten it runs past May 2.
What is the first fall frost date in Columbia, KY?
The median first fall frost date for Columbia, KY is around October 20. Plan to harvest or protect frost-sensitive crops like tomatoes and peppers at least a week before this date to avoid losses. The first frost arrives around October 6 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Columbia, KY?
The frost-free growing season in Columbia is about 185 days. This window — from your last spring frost to your first fall frost — is when warm-season vegetables thrive. Cold-hardy crops like kale, spinach, and peas can extend your season by weeks on either side. In Columbia (185 frost-free days, a long season), 30 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 25 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.
What USDA hardiness zone is Columbia, KY?
Columbia, KY is in USDA hardiness zone 7a (2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map). Zones come from the average coldest winter temperature, so they tell you which perennials survive the winter; the frost dates on this page tell you when to plant.
When should I start tomatoes indoors in Columbia, KY?
Start tomatoes indoors Mar 14 and plant out May 2 in Columbia. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Columbia?
Two: plant Mar 21 and again by Aug 29; both mature before Oct 27.
When do I plant garlic in Columbia?
Oct 20 to Nov 10; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Can I get two tomato crops in Columbia?
Yes: plant out May 2 for a summer crop, and set out a second round of transplants by Jun 20 for a fall crop.
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