Frost Dates for Columbus, MS 39705
Columbus has 3 ZIP codes. The Columbus, MS frost page lists all of them with their dates.
Last spring frost March 26 · First fall frost November 6 · 225 frost-free days · USDA Zone 8b
ZIP 39705 has about 12,600 people, one of 3 ZIP codes in Columbus.
Long season: 225 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans March 9–April 13 (35 days). Fall frost risk spans October 21–November 21 (31 days).
Frost probability for 39705
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | April 13 | March 26 | March 9 |
| Fall (first frost) | October 21 | November 6 | November 21 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at ABERDEEN (28.2 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 225-day season in Columbus
In Columbus (225 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 19 | Apr 9–Apr 16 | 183 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 183 available after Apr 9. | Jul 7 |
| Pepper | Feb 12 | Apr 9–Apr 16 | 183 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 183 available after Apr 9. | Jul 12 |
| Lettuce | Jan 29 | Feb 26–Mar 5 | 260 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 26 and again by Sep 15; both mature before Nov 13. | Sep 15 |
| Carrots | — | Mar 5–Mar 12 | 267 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 267 available after Mar 5. | Sep 4 |
| Cucumber | Mar 5 | Apr 9–Apr 16 | 197 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 9 and again by Aug 10; both mature before Oct 23. | Aug 10 |
| Beans | — | Apr 2–Apr 16 | 211 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 2 and again by Aug 17; both mature before Oct 30. | Aug 17 |
| Peas | — | Jan 29–Apr 9 | 288 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 288 available after Jan 29. | Aug 26 |
| Zucchini | Mar 12 | Apr 9–Apr 16 | 197 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 9 and again by Aug 15; both mature before Oct 23. | Aug 15 |
| Onion | Jan 1 | Feb 26–Mar 12 | 260 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 260 available after Feb 26. | — |
| Spinach | — | Jan 29–Mar 19 | 302 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 29 and again by Oct 4; both mature before Nov 27. | Oct 4 |
| Kale | Jan 15 | Feb 26–Mar 12 | 274 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 26 and again by Sep 19; both mature before Nov 27. | Sep 19 |
| Broccoli | Jan 29 | Feb 26–Mar 12 | 260 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 260 available after Feb 26. | Aug 11 |
| Cabbage | Jan 29 | Feb 26–Mar 12 | 274 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 274 available after Feb 26. | Sep 4 |
| Radish | — | Jan 29–Apr 23 | 288 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 29 and again by Oct 5; both mature before Nov 13. | Oct 5 |
| Beets | — | Jan 29–Apr 23 | 288 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 29 and again by Sep 5; both mature before Nov 13. | Sep 5 |
| Potatoes | — | Mar 12–Mar 19 | 246 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 246 available after Mar 12. | — |
| Garlic | — | Nov 6 | 330 | overwinter: Plant Nov 6 to Nov 27; harvest the following summer. | Nov 27 |
| Strawberry | — | Feb 19–Apr 16 | 281 | perennial: A perennial: plant Feb 19; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Feb 26 | Apr 2–Apr 9 | 197 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 197 available after Apr 2. | Jul 19 |
| Pumpkin | Mar 12 | Apr 9–Apr 9 | 190 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 190 available after Apr 9. | Jun 24 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 12 | Mar 19–Apr 2 | 239 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 239 available after Mar 19. | Aug 16 |
| Swiss Chard | Jan 29 | Mar 12–Mar 12 | 246 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 12 and again by Sep 5; both mature before Nov 13. | Sep 5 |
| Arugula | — | Jan 29–Apr 23 | 302 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 29 and again by Oct 4; both mature before Nov 27. | Oct 4 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Jan 29 | Feb 26–Mar 12 | 274 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 274 available after Feb 26. | Aug 5 |
| Butternut Squash | Mar 12 | Apr 9–Apr 16 | 190 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 190 available after Apr 9. | Jun 24 |
| Eggplant | Feb 5 | Apr 9–Apr 16 | 183 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 183 available after Apr 9. | Jul 17 |
| Okra | Feb 26 | Apr 2–Apr 9 | 204 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 2 and again by Aug 15; both mature before Oct 23. | Aug 15 |
| Basil | Feb 19 | Apr 16–Apr 16 | 190 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 16 and again by Aug 10; both mature before Oct 23. | Aug 10 |
| Cilantro | — | Feb 26–Mar 19 | 260 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 26 and again by Sep 10; both mature before Nov 13. | Sep 10 |
| Parsley | Jan 15 | Apr 2–Apr 9 | 225 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 225 available after Apr 2. | Aug 21 |
| Celery | Jan 15 | Apr 2–Apr 16 | 225 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 225 available after Apr 2. | Jul 2 |
| Scallions | Jan 15 | Feb 26–Mar 12 | 274 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 26 and again by Sep 14; both mature before Nov 27. | Sep 14 |
| Turnip | — | Feb 26–Mar 12 | 274 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 26 and again by Sep 24; both mature before Nov 27. | Sep 24 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Feb 12–Feb 26 | 288 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 12 and again by Sep 19; both mature before Nov 27. | Sep 19 |
| Bok Choy | Feb 26 | Mar 19–Mar 26 | 239 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 19 and again by Sep 15; both mature before Nov 13. | Sep 15 |
| Collards | Jan 15 | Feb 26–Mar 12 | 274 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 26 and again by Sep 14; both mature before Nov 27. | Sep 14 |
| Cantaloupe | Mar 12 | Apr 9–Apr 16 | 183 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 183 available after Apr 9. | Jul 2 |
| Chives | Jan 1 | Apr 2–Apr 9 | 239 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 239 available after Apr 2. | — |
| Dill | — | Jan 29–Apr 23 | 288 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 29 and again by Sep 5; both mature before Nov 13. | Sep 5 |
| Oregano | Jan 15 | Apr 2–Apr 9 | 239 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 239 available after Apr 2. | — |
| Rosemary | Jan 1 | Apr 2–Apr 9 | 225 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 225 available after Apr 2. | — |
| Sage | Jan 29 | Apr 2–Apr 9 | 239 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 239 available after Apr 2. | — |
| Thyme | Jan 15 | Apr 2–Apr 9 | 239 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 239 available after Apr 2. | — |
| Calendula | Feb 12 | Mar 12–Mar 26 | 246 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 12 and again by Sep 10; both mature before Nov 13. | Sep 10 |
| Cosmos | Feb 26 | Mar 26–Apr 9 | 211 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 26 and again by Aug 10; both mature before Oct 23. | Aug 10 |
| Lavender | Jan 1 | Mar 26–Apr 9 | 246 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 246 available after Mar 26. | — |
| Marigolds | Feb 12 | Mar 26–Apr 2 | 211 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 26 and again by Aug 20; both mature before Oct 23. | Aug 20 |
| Melons | Mar 12 | Apr 9–Apr 16 | 183 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 183 available after Apr 9. | Jul 2 |
| Mint | — | Mar 26–Apr 9 | 246 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 246 available after Mar 26. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Feb 26 | Mar 26–Apr 2 | 211 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 26 and again by Aug 15; both mature before Oct 23. | Aug 15 |
| Pole Beans | — | Apr 2–Apr 16 | 204 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 204 available after Apr 2. | Aug 5 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Mar 12 | Apr 9–Apr 16 | 190 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 190 available after Apr 9. | Jul 4 |
| Sunflowers | — | Mar 26–Apr 9 | 211 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 211 available after Mar 26. | Jul 31 |
| Tomatillos | Jan 29 | Apr 2–Apr 9 | 190 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 190 available after Apr 2. | Jul 12 |
| Watermelon | Mar 12 | Apr 2–Apr 9 | 190 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 190 available after Apr 2. | Jul 7 |
| Yellow Squash | Mar 12 | Apr 9–Apr 16 | 197 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 9 and again by Aug 15; both mature before Oct 23. | Aug 15 |
| Zinnias | Feb 26 | Mar 26–Apr 9 | 211 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 26 and again by Aug 10; both mature before Oct 23. | Aug 10 |
Month by month in Columbus
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Start indoors: Chives (Jan 1), Lavender (Jan 1), Onion (Jan 1), Rosemary (Jan 1), Celery (Jan 15), Collards (Jan 15), +12 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Jan 29), Beets (Jan 29), Dill (Jan 29), Peas (Jan 29), Radish (Jan 29), Spinach (Jan 29). |
| February | Start indoors: Eggplant (Feb 5), Calendula (Feb 12), Cauliflower (Feb 12), Marigolds (Feb 12), Pepper (Feb 12), Basil (Feb 19), +7 more. Direct sow from: Kohlrabi (Feb 12), Cilantro (Feb 26), Turnip (Feb 26). Transplant from: Broccoli (Feb 26), Brussel Sprouts (Feb 26), Cabbage (Feb 26), Collards (Feb 26), Kale (Feb 26), Lettuce (Feb 26), +2 more. Plant: Strawberry (Feb 19). |
| March | Start indoors: Cucumber (Mar 5), Butternut Squash (Mar 12), Cantaloupe (Mar 12), Melons (Mar 12), Pumpkin (Mar 12), Spaghetti Squash (Mar 12), +3 more. Direct sow from: Carrots (Mar 5), Potatoes (Mar 12), Sunflowers (Mar 26). Transplant from: Calendula (Mar 12), Swiss Chard (Mar 12), Bok Choy (Mar 19), Cauliflower (Mar 19), Cosmos (Mar 26), Lavender (Mar 26), +4 more. Last frost around March 26. |
| April | Direct sow from: Beans (Apr 2), Pole Beans (Apr 2). Transplant from: Celery (Apr 2), Chives (Apr 2), Corn (Apr 2), Okra (Apr 2), Oregano (Apr 2), Parsley (Apr 2), +17 more. |
| May | Succession plant lettuce and greens. Keep beds weeded and watered consistently. |
| June | Last sowing dates: Butternut Squash (Jun 24), Pumpkin (Jun 24). |
| July | Last sowing dates: Cantaloupe (Jul 2), Celery (Jul 2), Melons (Jul 2), Spaghetti Squash (Jul 4), Tomato (Jul 7), Watermelon (Jul 7), +5 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Brussel Sprouts (Aug 5), Pole Beans (Aug 5), Basil (Aug 10), Cosmos (Aug 10), Cucumber (Aug 10), Zinnias (Aug 10), +10 more. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Cabbage (Sep 4), Carrots (Sep 4), Beets (Sep 5), Dill (Sep 5), Swiss Chard (Sep 5), Calendula (Sep 10), +8 more. |
| October | Last sowing dates: Arugula (Oct 4), Spinach (Oct 4), Radish (Oct 5). |
| November | Direct sow from: Garlic (Nov 6). First frost around November 6. Last sowing dates: Garlic (Nov 27). |
| 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 39705)?
The median last spring frost date for Columbus, MS (ZIP code 39705) is around March 26. 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 9; one in ten it runs past April 13.
What is the first fall frost date in Columbus, MS?
The median first fall frost date for Columbus, MS is around November 6. 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 21 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 225 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 (225 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 19 and plant out Apr 9 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 Feb 26 and again by Sep 15; both mature before Nov 13.
When do I plant garlic in Columbus?
Nov 6 to Nov 27; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Can I get two tomato crops in Columbus?
Yes: plant out Apr 9 for a summer crop, and set out a second round of transplants by Jul 7 for a fall crop.
Nearby and related
- Frost dates for Columbus, MS 39702 (11.5 mi)
- Frost dates for West Point, MS 39773 (14.2 mi)
- Frost dates for Aberdeen, MS 39730 (18.9 mi)
- Frost dates for Starkville, MS 39759 (24.7 mi)
- Frost dates for Amory, MS 38821 (26.8 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