When is the last frost in Columbus, IN?

The average last spring frost (50% probability of 32°F) in Columbus is around April 11, based on NOAA/NCEI 1991–2020 normals at the Columbus, IN station (4.3 mi away). Half of years it falls outside that date, so wait 1–2 weeks past it before setting out frost-tender plants.

When is the first fall frost in Columbus?

The average first fall frost in Columbus, IN is around October 25, giving roughly a 195-day frost-free growing season.

What planting zone is Columbus, IN?

Columbus is in USDA plant hardiness zone 6b (average annual extreme minimum temperature -5 to 0°F), from the 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map.

What is the weather like in Columbus?

In Columbus, IN the warmest month is July (avg high 86.1°F) and the coldest is January (avg low 21.5°F). It averages about 47.3″ of precipitation a year and 16.3″ of snow.

Home › Indiana › Columbus

Columbus, IN Planting Calendar & Frost Dates

USDA hardiness zone 6b · ZIP 47201 · elevation 186′ · NOAA & USDA data

Columbus is in USDA hardiness zone 6b (winters can dip to -5 to 0°F), with a growing season of about 195 days between the average last spring frost (April 11) and first fall frost (October 25). The warmest month is July (avg high 86.1°F); the coldest is January (avg low 21.5°F). It averages 47.3″ of precipitation a year and 16.3″ 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

min temp -5 to 0°F

Last spring frost

April 11

avg (50% prob, 32°F)

First fall frost

October 25

avg (50% prob, 32°F)

Growing season

195 days

frost-free window

Warmest month

July

avg high 86.1°F

Month-by-month typical weather in Columbus

Average conditions from the NOAA/NCEI 1991–2020 U.S. Climate Normals at Columbus, IN (4.3 mi away). Temperatures °F, precipitation & snow in inches.

Month	Avg high	Avg low	Mean	Precip (in)	Snow (in)
January	38.6	21.5	30	3.4	5.9
February	42.9	23.7	33.3	2.9	4.5
March	53.5	31.9	42.7	3.8	1.8
April	65.6	42.2	53.9	5	0
May	74.9	53	64	5	0
June	83.1	62.2	72.7	5.3	0
July	86.1	65.4	75.7	4.5	0
August	85.4	63.3	74.4	3.5	0
September	79.7	55.4	67.6	3.2	0
October	68	43.6	55.8	3.4	0
November	54.4	33.8	44.1	3.6	0.1
December	42.9	26.2	34.6	3.7	4

What to plant when in Columbus

Crop	Season	What to do & when
Tomatoes	warm	Start seeds indoors: February 28 · Transplant out: April 18
Peppers	warm	Start seeds indoors: February 14 · Transplant out: April 25
Cucumbers	warm	Direct sow: April 18
Zucchini / squash	warm	Direct sow: April 18
Bush beans	warm	Direct sow: April 18
Sweet corn	warm	Direct sow: April 18
Basil	warm	Transplant out: April 18
Peas	cool	Sow (spring): March 7 · Sow (fall): August 30
Spinach	cool	Sow (spring): February 28 · Sow (fall): August 30
Lettuce	cool	Sow (spring): March 14 · Sow (fall): August 30
Kale	cool	Transplant (spring): March 21 · Sow (fall): August 16
Broccoli	cool	Transplant (spring): March 28
Carrots	cool	Sow (spring): March 21 · Sow (fall): August 16
Onions	cool	Transplant (spring): March 14
Potatoes	cool	Plant seed potatoes: March 28
Radishes	cool	Sow (spring): March 14 · Sow (fall): September 13

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 Indiana

Bloomington, IN Greenwood, IN Indianapolis, IN Fishers, IN Carmel, IN Jeffersonville, IN Noblesville, IN Anderson, IN

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, IN, 4.3 mi (confidence: high). Monthly weather normals: Columbus, IN, 4.3 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.