Frost Dates for Columbus, MS 39702
Last spring frost April 1 · First fall frost November 4 · 217 frost-free days · USDA Zone 8b
ZIP 39702 has about 23,500 people, the largest of 3 ZIP codes in Columbus.
Long season: 217 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans March 15–April 17 (33 days). Fall frost risk spans October 20–November 18 (29 days).
Frost probability for 39702
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | April 17 | April 1 | March 15 |
| Fall (first frost) | October 20 | November 4 | November 18 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at ALICEVILLE (38.9 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Frost dates by ZIP code in Columbus, MS
| ZIP | Last spring frost (50%) | First fall frost (50%) | Zone |
|---|---|---|---|
| 39702 | April 1 | November 4 | 8b |
| 39705 | March 26 | November 6 | 8b |
| 39701 | March 26 | November 6 | 8b |
Which crops fit a 217-day season in Columbus
In Columbus (217 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 | Feb 25 | Apr 15–Apr 22 | 175 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 175 available after Apr 15. | Jul 5 |
| Pepper | Feb 18 | Apr 15–Apr 22 | 175 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 175 available after Apr 15. | Jul 10 |
| Lettuce | Feb 4 | Mar 4–Mar 11 | 252 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 4 and again by Sep 13; both mature before Nov 11. | Sep 13 |
| Carrots | — | Mar 11–Mar 18 | 259 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 259 available after Mar 11. | Sep 2 |
| Cucumber | Mar 11 | Apr 15–Apr 22 | 189 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 15 and again by Aug 8; both mature before Oct 21. | Aug 8 |
| Beans | — | Apr 8–Apr 22 | 203 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 8 and again by Aug 15; both mature before Oct 28. | Aug 15 |
| Peas | — | Feb 4–Apr 15 | 280 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 280 available after Feb 4. | Aug 24 |
| Zucchini | Mar 18 | Apr 15–Apr 22 | 189 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 15 and again by Aug 13; both mature before Oct 21. | Aug 13 |
| Onion | Jan 7 | Mar 4–Mar 18 | 252 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 252 available after Mar 4. | — |
| Spinach | — | Feb 4–Mar 25 | 294 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 4 and again by Oct 2; both mature before Nov 25. | Oct 2 |
| Kale | Jan 21 | Mar 4–Mar 18 | 266 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 4 and again by Sep 17; both mature before Nov 25. | Sep 17 |
| Broccoli | Feb 4 | Mar 4–Mar 18 | 252 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 252 available after Mar 4. | Aug 9 |
| Cabbage | Feb 4 | Mar 4–Mar 18 | 266 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 266 available after Mar 4. | Sep 2 |
| Radish | — | Feb 4–Apr 29 | 280 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 4 and again by Oct 3; both mature before Nov 11. | Oct 3 |
| Beets | — | Feb 4–Apr 29 | 280 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 4 and again by Sep 3; both mature before Nov 11. | Sep 3 |
| Potatoes | — | Mar 18–Mar 25 | 238 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 238 available after Mar 18. | — |
| Garlic | — | Nov 4 | 322 | overwinter: Plant Nov 4 to Nov 25; harvest the following summer. | Nov 25 |
| Strawberry | — | Feb 25–Apr 22 | 273 | perennial: A perennial: plant Feb 25; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Mar 4 | Apr 8–Apr 15 | 189 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 189 available after Apr 8. | Jul 17 |
| Pumpkin | Mar 18 | Apr 15–Apr 15 | 182 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 182 available after Apr 15. | Jun 22 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 18 | Mar 25–Apr 8 | 231 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 231 available after Mar 25. | Aug 14 |
| Swiss Chard | Feb 4 | Mar 18–Mar 18 | 238 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 18 and again by Sep 3; both mature before Nov 11. | Sep 3 |
| Arugula | — | Feb 4–Apr 29 | 294 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 4 and again by Oct 2; both mature before Nov 25. | Oct 2 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Feb 4 | Mar 4–Mar 18 | 266 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 266 available after Mar 4. | Aug 3 |
| Butternut Squash | Mar 18 | Apr 15–Apr 22 | 182 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 182 available after Apr 15. | Jun 22 |
| Eggplant | Feb 11 | Apr 15–Apr 22 | 175 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 175 available after Apr 15. | Jul 15 |
| Okra | Mar 4 | Apr 8–Apr 15 | 196 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 8 and again by Aug 13; both mature before Oct 21. | Aug 13 |
| Basil | Feb 25 | Apr 22–Apr 22 | 182 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 22 and again by Aug 8; both mature before Oct 21. | Aug 8 |
| Cilantro | — | Mar 4–Mar 25 | 252 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 4 and again by Sep 8; both mature before Nov 11. | Sep 8 |
| Parsley | Jan 21 | Apr 8–Apr 15 | 217 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 217 available after Apr 8. | Aug 19 |
| Celery | Jan 21 | Apr 8–Apr 22 | 217 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 217 available after Apr 8. | Jun 30 |
| Scallions | Jan 21 | Mar 4–Mar 18 | 266 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 4 and again by Sep 12; both mature before Nov 25. | Sep 12 |
| Turnip | — | Mar 4–Mar 18 | 266 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 4 and again by Sep 22; both mature before Nov 25. | Sep 22 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Feb 18–Mar 4 | 280 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 18 and again by Sep 17; both mature before Nov 25. | Sep 17 |
| Bok Choy | Mar 4 | Mar 25–Apr 1 | 231 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 25 and again by Sep 13; both mature before Nov 11. | Sep 13 |
| Collards | Jan 21 | Mar 4–Mar 18 | 266 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 4 and again by Sep 12; both mature before Nov 25. | Sep 12 |
| Cantaloupe | Mar 18 | Apr 15–Apr 22 | 175 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 175 available after Apr 15. | Jun 30 |
| Chives | Jan 7 | Apr 8–Apr 15 | 231 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 231 available after Apr 8. | — |
| Dill | — | Feb 4–Apr 29 | 280 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 4 and again by Sep 3; both mature before Nov 11. | Sep 3 |
| Oregano | Jan 21 | Apr 8–Apr 15 | 231 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 231 available after Apr 8. | — |
| Rosemary | Jan 7 | Apr 8–Apr 15 | 217 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 217 available after Apr 8. | — |
| Sage | Feb 4 | Apr 8–Apr 15 | 231 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 231 available after Apr 8. | — |
| Thyme | Jan 21 | Apr 8–Apr 15 | 231 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 231 available after Apr 8. | — |
| Calendula | Feb 18 | Mar 18–Apr 1 | 238 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 18 and again by Sep 8; both mature before Nov 11. | Sep 8 |
| Cosmos | Mar 4 | Apr 1–Apr 15 | 203 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 1 and again by Aug 8; both mature before Oct 21. | Aug 8 |
| Lavender | Jan 7 | Apr 1–Apr 15 | 238 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 238 available after Apr 1. | — |
| Marigolds | Feb 18 | Apr 1–Apr 8 | 203 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 1 and again by Aug 18; both mature before Oct 21. | Aug 18 |
| Melons | Mar 18 | Apr 15–Apr 22 | 175 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 175 available after Apr 15. | Jun 30 |
| Mint | — | Apr 1–Apr 15 | 238 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 238 available after Apr 1. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Mar 4 | Apr 1–Apr 8 | 203 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 1 and again by Aug 13; both mature before Oct 21. | Aug 13 |
| Pole Beans | — | Apr 8–Apr 22 | 196 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 196 available after Apr 8. | Aug 3 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Mar 18 | Apr 15–Apr 22 | 182 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 182 available after Apr 15. | Jul 2 |
| Sunflowers | — | Apr 1–Apr 15 | 203 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 203 available after Apr 1. | Jul 29 |
| Tomatillos | Feb 4 | Apr 8–Apr 15 | 182 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 182 available after Apr 8. | Jul 10 |
| Watermelon | Mar 18 | Apr 8–Apr 15 | 182 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 182 available after Apr 8. | Jul 5 |
| Yellow Squash | Mar 18 | Apr 15–Apr 22 | 189 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 15 and again by Aug 13; both mature before Oct 21. | Aug 13 |
| Zinnias | Mar 4 | Apr 1–Apr 15 | 203 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 1 and again by Aug 8; both mature before Oct 21. | Aug 8 |
Month by month in Columbus
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Start indoors: Chives (Jan 7), Lavender (Jan 7), Onion (Jan 7), Rosemary (Jan 7), Celery (Jan 21), Collards (Jan 21), +5 more. |
| February | Start indoors: Broccoli (Feb 4), Brussel Sprouts (Feb 4), Cabbage (Feb 4), Lettuce (Feb 4), Sage (Feb 4), Swiss Chard (Feb 4), +8 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Feb 4), Beets (Feb 4), Dill (Feb 4), Peas (Feb 4), Radish (Feb 4), Spinach (Feb 4), +1 more. Plant: Strawberry (Feb 25). |
| March | Start indoors: Bok Choy (Mar 4), Corn (Mar 4), Cosmos (Mar 4), Nasturtiums (Mar 4), Okra (Mar 4), Zinnias (Mar 4), +9 more. Direct sow from: Cilantro (Mar 4), Turnip (Mar 4), Carrots (Mar 11), Potatoes (Mar 18). Transplant from: Broccoli (Mar 4), Brussel Sprouts (Mar 4), Cabbage (Mar 4), Collards (Mar 4), Kale (Mar 4), Lettuce (Mar 4), +6 more. |
| April | Direct sow from: Sunflowers (Apr 1), Beans (Apr 8), Pole Beans (Apr 8). Transplant from: Cosmos (Apr 1), Lavender (Apr 1), Marigolds (Apr 1), Mint (Apr 1), Nasturtiums (Apr 1), Zinnias (Apr 1), +23 more. Last frost around April 1. |
| May | Frost has passed. Transplant tomatoes, peppers, and basil outdoors. Direct sow beans, cucumbers, squash, and zucchini. |
| June | Last sowing dates: Butternut Squash (Jun 22), Pumpkin (Jun 22), Cantaloupe (Jun 30), Celery (Jun 30), Melons (Jun 30). |
| July | Last sowing dates: Spaghetti Squash (Jul 2), Tomato (Jul 5), Watermelon (Jul 5), Pepper (Jul 10), Tomatillos (Jul 10), Eggplant (Jul 15), +2 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Brussel Sprouts (Aug 3), Pole Beans (Aug 3), Basil (Aug 8), Cosmos (Aug 8), Cucumber (Aug 8), Zinnias (Aug 8), +10 more. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Cabbage (Sep 2), Carrots (Sep 2), Beets (Sep 3), Dill (Sep 3), Swiss Chard (Sep 3), Calendula (Sep 8), +8 more. |
| October | Last sowing dates: Arugula (Oct 2), Spinach (Oct 2), Radish (Oct 3). |
| November | Direct sow from: Garlic (Nov 4). First frost around November 4. Last sowing dates: Garlic (Nov 25). |
| December | Harvest remaining cold-hardy crops: kale, carrots, and beets. Plant garlic bulbs for next year. |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the last frost date for Columbus, MS (ZIP 39702)?
The median last spring frost date for Columbus, MS (ZIP code 39702) is around April 1. 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 15; one in ten it runs past April 17.
What is the first fall frost date in Columbus, MS?
The median first fall frost date for Columbus, MS is around November 4. 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 20 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Columbus, MS?
The frost-free growing season in Columbus is about 217 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 (217 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 Columbus, MS?
Columbus, MS is in USDA hardiness zone 8b (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, MS?
Start tomatoes indoors Feb 25 and plant out Apr 15 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 4 and again by Sep 13; both mature before Nov 11.
When do I plant garlic in Columbus?
Nov 4 to Nov 25; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Can I get two tomato crops in Columbus?
Yes: plant out Apr 15 for a summer crop, and set out a second round of transplants by Jul 5 for a fall crop.
Which nearby ZIP has a longer season?
West Point (ZIP 39773) has 225 frost-free days, 8 more than Columbus (ZIP 39702). See West Point ZIP 39773 frost dates
Nearby and related
- Frost dates for West Point, MS 39773 (23.5 mi)
- Frost dates for Starkville, MS 39759 (27.7 mi)
- Frost dates for Aberdeen, MS 39730 (30.3 mi)
- Frost dates for Amory, MS 38821 (37.4 mi)
- Frost dates for Northport, AL 35475 (43.7 mi)
- When to plant in MS
- When to plant Peppers in MS
- When to plant Cucumbers in MS
- When to plant Zucchini in MS
- When to plant Butternut Squash in MS
- When to plant Basil in MS
- When to plant Sweet Corn in MS
- Look up another ZIP