Last frost date in Columbus, NE

Average last frost
April 21

In Columbus, the last spring frost comes around April 21 in an average year. Wait until May 5 if you want 90% odds of no more frost. The first fall frost usually arrives about October 15, which leaves 174 frost-free days. An early freeze before September 30 happens one year in ten.

Safe after (10% risk)
May 5
Average first frost
Oct 15
Frost-free season
174 days
Hard freeze (28°F) ends
Apr 11
Next 7 nights in Columbus

No frost in the next 7 nights

Later than usual: the average first frost here is October 15.

National Weather Service forecast, updated Oct 22, 12:57 UTC

  1. ThuOct 2258°
  2. FriOct 2360°
  3. SatOct 2447°
  4. SunOct 2544°
  5. MonOct 2638°
  6. TueOct 2738°
  7. WedOct 2840°
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecLast frost Apr 21First frost Oct 15174 frost-free daysBlue: chance of 32°F frost. Green: average frost-free season.JFMAMJJASOND174 frost-free days
Frost risk through the year at Columbus 3 NE, 2.4 miles from Columbus.

Planting calendar for Columbus

Windows count forward or back from the average frost dates above. Click a crop for dates across Nebraska.

Start indoorsPlant outSow outdoorsFall plantingAverage last and first frost
Warm-season crops
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
TomatoesApr 28–May 12
PumpkinsMay 5–May 19
SunflowersApr 21–May 12
CucumbersMay 5–May 12
CornApr 28–May 12
Sweet potatoesMay 12–May 26
WatermelonMay 5–May 19
Green beansApr 28–May 19
ZucchiniApr 28–May 12
OkraMay 12–May 26
PeppersMay 5–May 19
BasilApr 28–May 12
Butternut squashApr 28–May 12
CantaloupeMay 5–May 19
EggplantMay 5–May 19
Cool-season crops
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PotatoesMar 24–Apr 7
OnionsMar 10–Mar 31
CarrotsMar 31–May 5
LettuceApr 7–Apr 28
BroccoliMar 24–Apr 7
BeetsMar 24–May 5
PeasMar 10–Mar 24
CabbageMar 24–Apr 7
RadishesMar 17–Apr 28
Brussels sproutsApr 7–Apr 21
SpinachMar 10–Mar 31
CilantroApr 7–Apr 28
KaleMar 24–Apr 7
Collard greensMar 24–Apr 7
TurnipsMar 24–Apr 7
DillApr 21–May 5
CeleryApr 28–May 5
CauliflowerApr 7–Apr 21
LeeksApr 7–Apr 21
Swiss chardApr 7–May 5
ParsleyApr 7–Apr 28
Fall bulbs and garlic
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Tulip bulbsOct 1–Nov 5
GarlicSep 24–Oct 29
Daffodil bulbsSep 17–Oct 29
Perennials
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
StrawberriesMar 24–Apr 7
AsparagusMar 24–Apr 7

Frost probabilities

ThresholdSpring, 90% chance laterSpring, 50%Spring, 10%Fall, 10% chance earlierFall, 50%Fall, 90%
Light frost, 32°FApr 7Apr 21May 5Sep 30Oct 15Oct 27
Hard freeze, 28°FMar 30Apr 11Apr 26Oct 9Oct 24Nov 5

Read the spring 10% column as the date after which only one year in ten still gets frost. That is the safer date for tomatoes, peppers and basil.

Where these numbers come from

NOAA station Columbus 3 NE (USC00251825) sits 2.4 miles from the center of Columbus at 1,450 feet. Its averages cover 1991 to 2020. Low spots, valleys and open fields can keep getting frost a week or two after the station stops; city centers and lakeshores usually get less of it.

Questions

When is the last frost in Columbus, NE?

The average last frost date in Columbus is April 21, based on NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals. There is a 10% chance of frost after May 5.

When is the first frost in Columbus?

The first frost in fall usually comes around October 15. One year in ten it arrives before September 30.

How long is the growing season in Columbus?

About 174 days between the average last and first frost.

When should I plant tomatoes in Columbus?

Plant tomato seedlings outside from April 28 to May 12. Start seeds indoors six to eight weeks earlier.

Nearby in Nebraska

All 11 cities in Nebraska