Last frost date in Columbia, TN

Average last frost
April 10

The average last frost in Columbia is April 10. By April 26 the chance of another 32°F night drops to 1 in 10. The first fall frost usually arrives about October 27, which leaves 199 frost-free days. An early freeze before October 16 happens one year in ten.

Safe after (10% risk)
Apr 26
Average first frost
Oct 27
Frost-free season
199 days
Hard freeze (28°F) ends
Mar 29
Next 7 nights in Columbia

No frost in the next 7 nights

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

  1. ThuOct 2244°
  2. FriOct 2344°
  3. SatOct 2444°
  4. SunOct 2543°
  5. MonOct 2645°
  6. TueOct 2747°
  7. WedOct 2845°
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecLast frost Apr 10First frost Oct 27199 frost-free daysBlue: chance of 32°F frost. Green: average frost-free season.JFMAMJJASOND199 frost-free days
Frost risk through the year at Columbia 3 WNW, 2.5 miles from Columbia.

Planting calendar for Columbia

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

Start indoorsPlant outSow outdoorsFall plantingAverage last and first frost
Warm-season crops
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
TomatoesApr 17–May 1
PumpkinsApr 24–May 8
SunflowersApr 10–May 1
CucumbersApr 24–May 1
CornApr 17–May 1
Sweet potatoesMay 1–May 15
WatermelonApr 24–May 8
Green beansApr 17–May 8
ZucchiniApr 17–May 1
OkraMay 1–May 15
PeppersApr 24–May 8
BasilApr 17–May 1
Butternut squashApr 17–May 1
CantaloupeApr 24–May 8
EggplantApr 24–May 8
Cool-season crops
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PotatoesMar 13–Mar 27
OnionsFeb 27–Mar 20
CarrotsMar 20–Apr 24
LettuceMar 27–Apr 17
BroccoliMar 13–Mar 27
BeetsMar 13–Apr 24
PeasFeb 27–Mar 13
CabbageMar 13–Mar 27
RadishesMar 6–Apr 17
Brussels sproutsMar 27–Apr 10
SpinachFeb 27–Mar 20
CilantroMar 27–Apr 17
KaleMar 13–Mar 27
Collard greensMar 13–Mar 27
TurnipsMar 13–Mar 27
DillApr 10–Apr 24
CeleryApr 17–Apr 24
CauliflowerMar 27–Apr 10
LeeksMar 27–Apr 10
Swiss chardMar 27–Apr 24
ParsleyMar 27–Apr 17
Fall bulbs and garlic
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Tulip bulbsOct 13–Nov 17
GarlicOct 6–Nov 10
Daffodil bulbsSep 29–Nov 10
Perennials
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
StrawberriesMar 13–Mar 27
AsparagusMar 13–Mar 27

Frost probabilities

ThresholdSpring, 90% chance laterSpring, 50%Spring, 10%Fall, 10% chance earlierFall, 50%Fall, 90%
Light frost, 32°FMar 26Apr 10Apr 26Oct 16Oct 27Nov 7
Hard freeze, 28°FMar 8Mar 29Apr 14Oct 23Nov 5Nov 21

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 Columbia 3 WNW (USC00401957) sits 2.5 miles from the center of Columbia at 650 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 Columbia, TN?

The average last frost date in Columbia is April 10, based on NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals. There is a 10% chance of frost after April 26.

When is the first frost in Columbia?

The first frost in fall usually comes around October 27. One year in ten it arrives before October 16.

How long is the growing season in Columbia?

About 199 days between the average last and first frost.

When should I plant tomatoes in Columbia?

Plant tomato seedlings outside from April 17 to May 1. Start seeds indoors six to eight weeks earlier.

Nearby in Tennessee

All 33 cities in Tennessee