Frost Dates for Columbus, IN 47203
Last spring frost April 20 · First fall frost October 14 · 177 frost-free days · USDA Zone 6b
ZIP 47203 has about 26,200 people, one of 2 ZIP codes in Columbus.
Moderate season: 177 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans April 7–May 3 (26 days). Fall frost risk spans October 1–October 26 (25 days).
Frost probability for 47203
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | May 3 | April 20 | April 7 |
| Fall (first frost) | October 1 | October 14 | October 26 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at SEYMOUR 1 WSW (31.5 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 177-day season in Columbus
In Columbus (177 frost-free days, a moderate 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 16 | May 4–May 11 | 135 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 135 available after May 4. | Jun 14 |
| Pepper | Mar 9 | May 4–May 11 | 135 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 135 available after May 4. | Jun 19 |
| Lettuce | Feb 23 | Mar 23–Mar 30 | 212 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 23 and again by Aug 23; both mature before Oct 21. | Aug 23 |
| Carrots | — | Mar 30–Apr 6 | 219 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 219 available after Mar 30. | Aug 12 |
| Cucumber | Mar 30 | May 4–May 11 | 149 | two-plantings: Plant May 4 and again by Jul 18; both mature before Sep 30. | Jul 18 |
| Beans | — | Apr 27–May 11 | 163 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 27 and again by Jul 25; both mature before Oct 7. | Jul 25 |
| Peas | — | Feb 23–May 4 | 240 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 240 available after Feb 23. | Aug 3 |
| Zucchini | Apr 6 | May 4–May 11 | 149 | two-plantings: Plant May 4 and again by Jul 23; both mature before Sep 30. | Jul 23 |
| Onion | Jan 26 | Mar 23–Apr 6 | 212 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 212 available after Mar 23. | — |
| Spinach | — | Feb 23–Apr 13 | 254 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 23 and again by Sep 11; both mature before Nov 4. | Sep 11 |
| Kale | Feb 9 | Mar 23–Apr 6 | 226 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 23 and again by Aug 27; both mature before Nov 4. | Aug 27 |
| Broccoli | Feb 23 | Mar 23–Apr 6 | 212 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 212 available after Mar 23. | Jul 19 |
| Cabbage | Feb 23 | Mar 23–Apr 6 | 226 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 226 available after Mar 23. | Aug 12 |
| Radish | — | Feb 23–May 18 | 240 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 23 and again by Sep 12; both mature before Oct 21. | Sep 12 |
| Beets | — | Feb 23–May 18 | 240 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 23 and again by Aug 13; both mature before Oct 21. | Aug 13 |
| Potatoes | — | Apr 6–Apr 13 | 198 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 198 available after Apr 6. | — |
| Garlic | — | Oct 14 | 282 | overwinter: Plant Oct 14 to Nov 4; harvest the following summer. | Nov 4 |
| Strawberry | — | Mar 16–May 11 | 233 | perennial: A perennial: plant Mar 16; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Mar 23 | Apr 27–May 4 | 149 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 149 available after Apr 27. | Jun 26 |
| Pumpkin | Apr 6 | May 4–May 4 | 142 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 142 available after May 4. | Jun 1 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 9 | Apr 13–Apr 27 | 191 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 191 available after Apr 13. | Jul 24 |
| Swiss Chard | Feb 23 | Apr 6–Apr 6 | 198 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 6 and again by Aug 13; both mature before Oct 21. | Aug 13 |
| Arugula | — | Feb 23–May 18 | 254 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 23 and again by Sep 11; both mature before Nov 4. | Sep 11 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Feb 23 | Mar 23–Apr 6 | 226 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 226 available after Mar 23. | Jul 13 |
| Butternut Squash | Apr 6 | May 4–May 11 | 142 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 142 available after May 4. | Jun 1 |
| Eggplant | Mar 2 | May 4–May 11 | 135 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 135 available after May 4. | Jun 24 |
| Okra | Mar 23 | Apr 27–May 4 | 156 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 27 and again by Jul 23; both mature before Sep 30. | Jul 23 |
| Basil | Mar 16 | May 11–May 11 | 142 | two-plantings: Plant May 11 and again by Jul 18; both mature before Sep 30. | Jul 18 |
| Cilantro | — | Mar 23–Apr 13 | 212 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 23 and again by Aug 18; both mature before Oct 21. | Aug 18 |
| Parsley | Feb 9 | Apr 27–May 4 | 177 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 177 available after Apr 27. | Jul 29 |
| Celery | Feb 9 | Apr 27–May 11 | 177 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 177 available after Apr 27. | Jun 9 |
| Scallions | Feb 9 | Mar 23–Apr 6 | 226 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 23 and again by Aug 22; both mature before Nov 4. | Aug 22 |
| Turnip | — | Mar 23–Apr 6 | 226 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 23 and again by Sep 1; both mature before Nov 4. | Sep 1 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Mar 9–Mar 23 | 240 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 9 and again by Aug 27; both mature before Nov 4. | Aug 27 |
| Bok Choy | Mar 23 | Apr 13–Apr 20 | 191 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 13 and again by Aug 23; both mature before Oct 21. | Aug 23 |
| Collards | Feb 9 | Mar 23–Apr 6 | 226 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 23 and again by Aug 22; both mature before Nov 4. | Aug 22 |
| Cantaloupe | Apr 6 | May 4–May 11 | 135 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 135 available after May 4. | Jun 9 |
| Chives | Jan 26 | Apr 27–May 4 | 191 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 191 available after Apr 27. | — |
| Dill | — | Feb 23–May 18 | 240 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 23 and again by Aug 13; both mature before Oct 21. | Aug 13 |
| Oregano | Feb 9 | Apr 27–May 4 | 191 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 191 available after Apr 27. | — |
| Rosemary | Jan 26 | Apr 27–May 4 | 177 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 177 available after Apr 27. | — |
| Sage | Feb 23 | Apr 27–May 4 | 191 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 191 available after Apr 27. | — |
| Thyme | Feb 9 | Apr 27–May 4 | 191 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 191 available after Apr 27. | — |
| Calendula | Mar 9 | Apr 6–Apr 20 | 198 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 6 and again by Aug 18; both mature before Oct 21. | Aug 18 |
| Cosmos | Mar 23 | Apr 20–May 4 | 163 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 20 and again by Jul 18; both mature before Sep 30. | Jul 18 |
| Lavender | Jan 26 | Apr 20–May 4 | 198 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 198 available after Apr 20. | — |
| Marigolds | Mar 9 | Apr 20–Apr 27 | 163 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 20 and again by Jul 28; both mature before Sep 30. | Jul 28 |
| Melons | Apr 6 | May 4–May 11 | 135 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 135 available after May 4. | Jun 9 |
| Mint | — | Apr 20–May 4 | 198 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 198 available after Apr 20. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Mar 23 | Apr 20–Apr 27 | 163 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 20 and again by Jul 23; both mature before Sep 30. | Jul 23 |
| Pole Beans | — | Apr 27–May 11 | 156 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 156 available after Apr 27. | Jul 13 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Apr 6 | May 4–May 11 | 142 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 142 available after May 4. | Jun 11 |
| Sunflowers | — | Apr 20–May 4 | 163 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 163 available after Apr 20. | Jul 8 |
| Tomatillos | Feb 23 | Apr 27–May 4 | 142 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 142 available after Apr 27. | Jun 19 |
| Watermelon | Apr 6 | Apr 27–May 4 | 142 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 142 available after Apr 27. | Jun 14 |
| Yellow Squash | Apr 6 | May 4–May 11 | 149 | two-plantings: Plant May 4 and again by Jul 23; both mature before Sep 30. | Jul 23 |
| Zinnias | Mar 23 | Apr 20–May 4 | 163 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 20 and again by Jul 18; both mature before Sep 30. | Jul 18 |
Month by month in Columbus
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Start indoors: Chives (Jan 26), Lavender (Jan 26), Onion (Jan 26), Rosemary (Jan 26). |
| February | Start indoors: Celery (Feb 9), Collards (Feb 9), Kale (Feb 9), Oregano (Feb 9), Parsley (Feb 9), Scallions (Feb 9), +8 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Feb 23), Beets (Feb 23), Dill (Feb 23), Peas (Feb 23), Radish (Feb 23), Spinach (Feb 23). |
| March | Start indoors: Eggplant (Mar 2), Calendula (Mar 9), Cauliflower (Mar 9), Marigolds (Mar 9), Pepper (Mar 9), Basil (Mar 16), +8 more. Direct sow from: Kohlrabi (Mar 9), Cilantro (Mar 23), Turnip (Mar 23), Carrots (Mar 30). Transplant from: Broccoli (Mar 23), Brussel Sprouts (Mar 23), Cabbage (Mar 23), Collards (Mar 23), Kale (Mar 23), Lettuce (Mar 23), +2 more. Plant: Strawberry (Mar 16). |
| April | Start indoors: Butternut Squash (Apr 6), Cantaloupe (Apr 6), Melons (Apr 6), Pumpkin (Apr 6), Spaghetti Squash (Apr 6), Watermelon (Apr 6), +2 more. Direct sow from: Potatoes (Apr 6), Sunflowers (Apr 20), Beans (Apr 27), Pole Beans (Apr 27). Transplant from: Calendula (Apr 6), Swiss Chard (Apr 6), Bok Choy (Apr 13), Cauliflower (Apr 13), Cosmos (Apr 20), Lavender (Apr 20), +15 more. Last frost around April 20. |
| May | Transplant from: Butternut Squash (May 4), Cantaloupe (May 4), Cucumber (May 4), Eggplant (May 4), Melons (May 4), Pepper (May 4), +6 more. |
| June | Last sowing dates: Butternut Squash (Jun 1), Pumpkin (Jun 1), Cantaloupe (Jun 9), Celery (Jun 9), Melons (Jun 9), Spaghetti Squash (Jun 11), +6 more. |
| July | Last sowing dates: Sunflowers (Jul 8), Brussel Sprouts (Jul 13), Pole Beans (Jul 13), Basil (Jul 18), Cosmos (Jul 18), Cucumber (Jul 18), +10 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Peas (Aug 3), Cabbage (Aug 12), Carrots (Aug 12), Beets (Aug 13), Dill (Aug 13), Swiss Chard (Aug 13), +8 more. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Turnip (Sep 1), Arugula (Sep 11), Spinach (Sep 11), Radish (Sep 12). |
| October | Direct sow from: Garlic (Oct 14). First frost around October 14. |
| November | Last sowing dates: Garlic (Nov 4). |
| 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 Columbus, IN (ZIP 47203)?
The median last spring frost date for Columbus, IN (ZIP code 47203) is around April 20. 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 7; one in ten it runs past May 3.
What is the first fall frost date in Columbus, IN?
The median first fall frost date for Columbus, IN is around October 14. 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 1 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Columbus, IN?
The frost-free growing season in Columbus is about 177 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 Columbus (177 frost-free days, a moderate season), 30 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 25 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.
What USDA hardiness zone is Columbus, IN?
Columbus, IN is in USDA hardiness zone 6b (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 Columbus, IN?
Start tomatoes indoors Mar 16 and plant out May 4 in Columbus. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Columbus?
Two: plant Mar 23 and again by Aug 23; both mature before Oct 21.
When do I plant garlic in Columbus?
Oct 14 to Nov 4; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Nearby and related
- Frost dates for Columbus, IN 47201 (10.3 mi)
- Frost dates for North Vernon, IN 47265 (19 mi)
- Frost dates for Seymour, IN 47274 (19.3 mi)
- Frost dates for Greensburg, IN 47240 (19.9 mi)
- Frost dates for Franklin, IN 46131 (20 mi)
- When to plant in IN
- When to plant Peppers in IN
- When to plant Cucumbers in IN
- When to plant Zucchini in IN
- When to plant Butternut Squash in IN
- When to plant Basil in IN
- When to plant Sweet Corn in IN
- Look up another ZIP