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Columbus, GA Planting Calendar & Frost Dates

USDA hardiness zone 8b · ZIP 31901 · elevation 120′ · NOAA & USDA data

Columbus is in USDA hardiness zone 8b (winters can dip to 15 to 20°F), with a growing season of about 265 days between the average last spring frost (March 5) and first fall frost (November 23). The warmest month is July (avg high 92.9°F); the coldest is January (avg low 38.2°F). It averages 48.8″ of precipitation a year and 0.5″ of snow, mostly mid-winter. Start cool-season crops several weeks before the last frost; wait until after it for tomatoes, peppers and other tender crops.

Hardiness zone
8b
min temp 15 to 20°F
Last spring frost
March 5
avg (50% prob, 32°F)
First fall frost
November 23
avg (50% prob, 32°F)
Growing season
265 days
frost-free window
Warmest month
July
avg high 92.9°F

Month-by-month typical weather in Columbus

Average conditions from the NOAA/NCEI 1991–2020 U.S. Climate Normals at Columbus Metro Ap, GA (4.2 mi away). Temperatures °F, precipitation & snow in inches.

MonthAvg highAvg lowMeanPrecip (in)Snow (in)
January 58.7 38.2 48.5 4.2 0
February 63.2 41.5 52.3 4.5 0
March 70.4 47.3 58.9 4.9 0.2
April 77.7 54 65.8 4 0
May 85.1 63.1 74.1 3.2 0
June 90.2 70.5 80.4 4 0
July 92.9 73.5 83.2 4.4 0
August 91.8 73 82.4 4.7 0
September 87.3 67.9 77.6 3.3 0
October 78.3 56.8 67.6 2.8 0
November 68.4 46.1 57.3 4 0
December 60.6 40.6 50.6 4.8 0.3

What to plant when in Columbus

CropSeasonWhat to do & when
TomatoeswarmStart seeds indoors: January 22 · Transplant out: March 12
PepperswarmStart seeds indoors: January 8 · Transplant out: March 19
CucumberswarmDirect sow: March 12
Zucchini / squashwarmDirect sow: March 12
Bush beanswarmDirect sow: March 12
Sweet cornwarmDirect sow: March 12
BasilwarmTransplant out: March 12
PeascoolSow (spring): January 29 · Sow (fall): September 28
SpinachcoolSow (spring): January 22 · Sow (fall): September 28
LettucecoolSow (spring): February 5 · Sow (fall): September 28
KalecoolTransplant (spring): February 12 · Sow (fall): September 14
BroccolicoolTransplant (spring): February 19
CarrotscoolSow (spring): February 12 · Sow (fall): September 14
OnionscoolTransplant (spring): February 5
PotatoescoolPlant seed potatoes: February 19
RadishescoolSow (spring): February 5 · Sow (fall): October 12

Dates are computed from Columbus's average frost dates using standard cool-/warm-season timing. They're a starting point — a cold spring, a warm microclimate, or a fast-maturing variety can shift them by a week or two.

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Gear that helps you plant on time

Some links below are Amazon affiliate links (tag theboringthin-20). If you buy through them we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you — it keeps this almanac free. We only list generic, genuinely-useful categories.

Soil thermometer →Know when the ground is warm enough to sow — the honest signal, not the calendar.Seed-starting trays + dome →Start tomatoes & peppers indoors on the schedule below.Seedling heat mat →Warms the soil for faster, more even germination indoors.Floating row cover / frost cloth →Buys you 4–8°F to beat an early or late frost.Raised garden bed kit →Warms and drains faster in spring than in-ground soil.Garden gloves →Basic kit for transplant day.

Nearby cities in Georgia

Warner Robins, GAAlbany, GAMacon, GAAtlanta, GASmyrna, GAMarietta, GARoswell, GAAlpharetta, GA

Sources & method. Hardiness zone: 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (PRISM Climate Group, Oregon State University). Frost dates & growing season: NOAA/NCEI 1991–2020 U.S. Climate Normals, nearest station with published freeze normals — Columbus Metro Ap, GA, 4.2 mi (confidence: high). Monthly weather normals: Columbus Metro Ap, GA, 4.2 mi (confidence: high). ZIP centroid from U.S. Census 2023 ZCTA data. Frost dates are the 50%-probability date — half of years frost occurs outside the stated date. Nothing here is invented; where the nearest station is far, we say so. Last updated 2026-07-22.