Frost Dates for Columbia, TN 38401
Last spring frost April 14 · First fall frost October 19 · 188 frost-free days · USDA Zone 7b
ZIP 38401 has about 67,500 people.
Long season: 188 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans March 31–April 28 (28 days). Fall frost risk spans October 4–November 2 (29 days).
Frost probability for 38401
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | April 28 | April 14 | March 31 |
| Fall (first frost) | October 4 | October 19 | November 2 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at MT PLEASANT 1N (18.2 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 188-day season in Columbia
In Columbia (188 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 10 | Apr 28–May 5 | 146 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 146 available after Apr 28. | Jun 19 |
| Pepper | Mar 3 | Apr 28–May 5 | 146 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 146 available after Apr 28. | Jun 24 |
| Lettuce | Feb 17 | Mar 17–Mar 24 | 223 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 17 and again by Aug 28; both mature before Oct 26. | Aug 28 |
| Carrots | — | Mar 24–Mar 31 | 230 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 230 available after Mar 24. | Aug 17 |
| Cucumber | Mar 24 | Apr 28–May 5 | 160 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 28 and again by Jul 23; both mature before Oct 5. | Jul 23 |
| Beans | — | Apr 21–May 5 | 174 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 21 and again by Jul 30; both mature before Oct 12. | Jul 30 |
| Peas | — | Feb 17–Apr 28 | 251 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 251 available after Feb 17. | Aug 8 |
| Zucchini | Mar 31 | Apr 28–May 5 | 160 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 28 and again by Jul 28; both mature before Oct 5. | Jul 28 |
| Onion | Jan 20 | Mar 17–Mar 31 | 223 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 223 available after Mar 17. | — |
| Spinach | — | Feb 17–Apr 7 | 265 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 17 and again by Sep 16; both mature before Nov 9. | Sep 16 |
| Kale | Feb 3 | Mar 17–Mar 31 | 237 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 17 and again by Sep 1; both mature before Nov 9. | Sep 1 |
| Broccoli | Feb 17 | Mar 17–Mar 31 | 223 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 223 available after Mar 17. | Jul 24 |
| Cabbage | Feb 17 | Mar 17–Mar 31 | 237 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 237 available after Mar 17. | Aug 17 |
| Radish | — | Feb 17–May 12 | 251 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 17 and again by Sep 17; both mature before Oct 26. | Sep 17 |
| Beets | — | Feb 17–May 12 | 251 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 17 and again by Aug 18; both mature before Oct 26. | Aug 18 |
| Potatoes | — | Mar 31–Apr 7 | 209 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 209 available after Mar 31. | — |
| Garlic | — | Oct 19 | 293 | overwinter: Plant Oct 19 to Nov 9; harvest the following summer. | Nov 9 |
| Strawberry | — | Mar 10–May 5 | 244 | perennial: A perennial: plant Mar 10; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Mar 17 | Apr 21–Apr 28 | 160 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 160 available after Apr 21. | Jul 1 |
| Pumpkin | Mar 31 | Apr 28–Apr 28 | 153 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 153 available after Apr 28. | Jun 6 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 3 | Apr 7–Apr 21 | 202 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 202 available after Apr 7. | Jul 29 |
| Swiss Chard | Feb 17 | Mar 31–Mar 31 | 209 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 31 and again by Aug 18; both mature before Oct 26. | Aug 18 |
| Arugula | — | Feb 17–May 12 | 265 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 17 and again by Sep 16; both mature before Nov 9. | Sep 16 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Feb 17 | Mar 17–Mar 31 | 237 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 237 available after Mar 17. | Jul 18 |
| Butternut Squash | Mar 31 | Apr 28–May 5 | 153 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 153 available after Apr 28. | Jun 6 |
| Eggplant | Feb 24 | Apr 28–May 5 | 146 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 146 available after Apr 28. | Jun 29 |
| Okra | Mar 17 | Apr 21–Apr 28 | 167 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 21 and again by Jul 28; both mature before Oct 5. | Jul 28 |
| Basil | Mar 10 | May 5–May 5 | 153 | two-plantings: Plant May 5 and again by Jul 23; both mature before Oct 5. | Jul 23 |
| Cilantro | — | Mar 17–Apr 7 | 223 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 17 and again by Aug 23; both mature before Oct 26. | Aug 23 |
| Parsley | Feb 3 | Apr 21–Apr 28 | 188 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 188 available after Apr 21. | Aug 3 |
| Celery | Feb 3 | Apr 21–May 5 | 188 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 188 available after Apr 21. | Jun 14 |
| Scallions | Feb 3 | Mar 17–Mar 31 | 237 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 17 and again by Aug 27; both mature before Nov 9. | Aug 27 |
| Turnip | — | Mar 17–Mar 31 | 237 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 17 and again by Sep 6; both mature before Nov 9. | Sep 6 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Mar 3–Mar 17 | 251 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 3 and again by Sep 1; both mature before Nov 9. | Sep 1 |
| Bok Choy | Mar 17 | Apr 7–Apr 14 | 202 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 7 and again by Aug 28; both mature before Oct 26. | Aug 28 |
| Collards | Feb 3 | Mar 17–Mar 31 | 237 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 17 and again by Aug 27; both mature before Nov 9. | Aug 27 |
| Cantaloupe | Mar 31 | Apr 28–May 5 | 146 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 146 available after Apr 28. | Jun 14 |
| Chives | Jan 20 | Apr 21–Apr 28 | 202 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 202 available after Apr 21. | — |
| Dill | — | Feb 17–May 12 | 251 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 17 and again by Aug 18; both mature before Oct 26. | Aug 18 |
| Oregano | Feb 3 | Apr 21–Apr 28 | 202 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 202 available after Apr 21. | — |
| Rosemary | Jan 20 | Apr 21–Apr 28 | 188 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 188 available after Apr 21. | — |
| Sage | Feb 17 | Apr 21–Apr 28 | 202 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 202 available after Apr 21. | — |
| Thyme | Feb 3 | Apr 21–Apr 28 | 202 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 202 available after Apr 21. | — |
| Calendula | Mar 3 | Mar 31–Apr 14 | 209 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 31 and again by Aug 23; both mature before Oct 26. | Aug 23 |
| Cosmos | Mar 17 | Apr 14–Apr 28 | 174 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 14 and again by Jul 23; both mature before Oct 5. | Jul 23 |
| Lavender | Jan 20 | Apr 14–Apr 28 | 209 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 209 available after Apr 14. | — |
| Marigolds | Mar 3 | Apr 14–Apr 21 | 174 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 14 and again by Aug 2; both mature before Oct 5. | Aug 2 |
| Melons | Mar 31 | Apr 28–May 5 | 146 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 146 available after Apr 28. | Jun 14 |
| Mint | — | Apr 14–Apr 28 | 209 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 209 available after Apr 14. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Mar 17 | Apr 14–Apr 21 | 174 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 14 and again by Jul 28; both mature before Oct 5. | Jul 28 |
| Pole Beans | — | Apr 21–May 5 | 167 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 167 available after Apr 21. | Jul 18 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Mar 31 | Apr 28–May 5 | 153 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 153 available after Apr 28. | Jun 16 |
| Sunflowers | — | Apr 14–Apr 28 | 174 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 174 available after Apr 14. | Jul 13 |
| Tomatillos | Feb 17 | Apr 21–Apr 28 | 153 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 153 available after Apr 21. | Jun 24 |
| Watermelon | Mar 31 | Apr 21–Apr 28 | 153 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 153 available after Apr 21. | Jun 19 |
| Yellow Squash | Mar 31 | Apr 28–May 5 | 160 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 28 and again by Jul 28; both mature before Oct 5. | Jul 28 |
| Zinnias | Mar 17 | Apr 14–Apr 28 | 174 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 14 and again by Jul 23; both mature before Oct 5. | Jul 23 |
Month by month in Columbia
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Start indoors: Chives (Jan 20), Lavender (Jan 20), Onion (Jan 20), Rosemary (Jan 20). |
| February | Start indoors: Celery (Feb 3), Collards (Feb 3), Kale (Feb 3), Oregano (Feb 3), Parsley (Feb 3), Scallions (Feb 3), +9 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Feb 17), Beets (Feb 17), Dill (Feb 17), Peas (Feb 17), Radish (Feb 17), Spinach (Feb 17). |
| March | Start indoors: Calendula (Mar 3), Cauliflower (Mar 3), Marigolds (Mar 3), Pepper (Mar 3), Basil (Mar 10), Tomato (Mar 10), +15 more. Direct sow from: Kohlrabi (Mar 3), Cilantro (Mar 17), Turnip (Mar 17), Carrots (Mar 24), Potatoes (Mar 31). Transplant from: Broccoli (Mar 17), Brussel Sprouts (Mar 17), Cabbage (Mar 17), Collards (Mar 17), Kale (Mar 17), Lettuce (Mar 17), +4 more. Plant: Strawberry (Mar 10). |
| April | Direct sow from: Sunflowers (Apr 14), Beans (Apr 21), Pole Beans (Apr 21). Transplant from: Bok Choy (Apr 7), Cauliflower (Apr 7), Cosmos (Apr 14), Lavender (Apr 14), Marigolds (Apr 14), Mint (Apr 14), +24 more. Last frost around April 14. |
| May | Transplant from: Basil (May 5). |
| June | Last sowing dates: Butternut Squash (Jun 6), Pumpkin (Jun 6), Cantaloupe (Jun 14), Celery (Jun 14), Melons (Jun 14), Spaghetti Squash (Jun 16), +5 more. |
| July | Last sowing dates: Corn (Jul 1), Sunflowers (Jul 13), Brussel Sprouts (Jul 18), Pole Beans (Jul 18), Basil (Jul 23), Cosmos (Jul 23), +9 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Marigolds (Aug 2), Parsley (Aug 3), Peas (Aug 8), Cabbage (Aug 17), Carrots (Aug 17), Beets (Aug 18), +8 more. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Kale (Sep 1), Kohlrabi (Sep 1), Turnip (Sep 6), Arugula (Sep 16), Spinach (Sep 16), Radish (Sep 17). |
| October | Direct sow from: Garlic (Oct 19). First frost around October 19. |
| November | Last sowing dates: Garlic (Nov 9). |
| 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, TN (ZIP 38401)?
The median last spring frost date for Columbia, TN (ZIP code 38401) is around April 14. 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 March 31; one in ten it runs past April 28.
What is the first fall frost date in Columbia, TN?
The median first fall frost date for Columbia, TN is around October 19. 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 4 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Columbia, TN?
The frost-free growing season in Columbia is about 188 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 (188 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, TN?
Columbia, TN is in USDA hardiness zone 7b (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, TN?
Start tomatoes indoors Mar 10 and plant out Apr 28 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 17 and again by Aug 28; both mature before Oct 26.
When do I plant garlic in Columbia?
Oct 19 to Nov 9; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Can I get two tomato crops in Columbia?
Yes: plant out Apr 28 for a summer crop, and set out a second round of transplants by Jun 19 for a fall crop.
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