Columbus #2, GA Frost Dates & Growing Season

The two dates every Columbus #2 garden is planned around, plus ready-computed planting windows for the most popular crops.

Last spring frost
Mar 21
~50% chance of frost after
First fall frost
Nov 11
~50% chance of frost before
Growing season
235 days
frost-free stretch
USDA zone
≈ 8a
estimated from nearby reference
Risky (1 year in 10)MedianSafe (9 years in 10)
Last spring frost Feb 28 Mar 21 Apr 9
First fall frost Dec 1 Nov 11 Oct 31
Hard freeze (28°F), median last Mar 6 · first Nov 24

Computed from NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals at the COLUMBUS #2 station. "Safe" means frost past that date happens only about one year in ten. Your exact garden can still run days either way with elevation and terrain — check your own ZIP with the frost date lookup.

Planting windows for Columbus #2

Computed from Columbus #2's own frost dates. Click any crop for the full zone-8 growing guide — varieties, spacing, fall plantings, and more.

CropStart seeds indoorsTransplantDirect sow
🍅 Tomatoes Jan 24 – Feb 7 Mar 28 – Apr 4
🫑 Peppers Jan 10 – Jan 24 Apr 4 – Apr 11
🥬 Lettuce Feb 7 – Feb 21 Feb 21 – Mar 7 Feb 21 – Mar 21
🫛 Peas Feb 7 – Feb 21
🥕 Carrots Feb 28 – Mar 21
🥦 Broccoli Jan 31 – Feb 14 Feb 28 – Mar 14
🥬 Kale Feb 7 – Feb 21 Feb 21 – Mar 7 Feb 21 – Mar 7
🥒 Cucumbers Feb 21 – Feb 28 Mar 28 – Apr 4 Mar 28 – Apr 4
🥒 Zucchini Feb 21 – Feb 28 Mar 28 – Apr 4 Mar 28 – Apr 4
🫘 Green Beans (Bush) Mar 28 – Apr 4
🌽 Sweet Corn Mar 28 – Apr 4
🌿 Basil Feb 7 – Feb 21 Mar 28 – Apr 4 Apr 4 – Apr 11
🧄 Garlic Fall: Sep 30 – Oct 28

Want this for all 50 crops, or as a printable seed-shelf schedule? Use the planting calendar and the seed starting scheduler — both can use Columbus #2's dates automatically after a lookup.

Reading the season in Columbus #2

With roughly 235 frost-free days, Columbus #2 gardens fit long-season crops — melons, winter squash, sweet potatoes — with room left for spring and fall rounds of greens and roots. The first frost around Nov 11 is late enough that fall planting is a full second season, not an afterthought.

Frequently asked questions

When is the last frost in Columbus #2, GA?

The average last spring frost in Columbus #2 is around Mar 21, based on 1991–2020 climate normals. That's a median — about half of years see a later frost, so tender crops are safest going out a week or two after this date.

When is the first frost in Columbus #2, GA?

The average first fall frost in Columbus #2 arrives around Nov 11. Crops still in the garden need to mature before then, and frost-tender plants need harvesting or protection as the date approaches.

How long is the growing season in Columbus #2?

About 235 frost-free days on average, from Mar 21 to Nov 11. That comfortably fits long-season crops like melons and winter squash, plus spring and fall plantings of cool-season vegetables.

What USDA zone is Columbus #2 in?

USDA zone 8a on the 2023 Plant Hardiness Zone Map. Note that zones describe winter cold, not frost timing — these frost dates are the numbers to plan plantings around.