Data: 2023 USDA zones (PRISM/OSU) · NOAA 1991–2020 normals · updated Oct 29, 2026

Planting zone for Columbia, TN

Columbia, TN is in USDA zone 7b across its 2 ZIP codes. The median last spring frost is April 10 and the first fall frost October 27.

Columbia on the zone map

Outlined: its 1 ZIP code areas · tap the map for the zone at any spot · scroll or pinch to zoom

Not the official USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map. Zones come from the 2023 USDA hardiness-zone data by the PRISM Group, Oregon State University; we re-mapped and recolored them. The official map is at planthardiness.ars.usda.gov.

Zone7b5 to 10 °F

ZIP codes2

Last frostApr 10

First frostOct 27

Growing season199 days

7b 2 ZIPs

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

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Forecast data: National Weather Service (api.weather.gov), public domain. This is not a warning service — for official frost and freeze warnings see weather.gov.

Frost dates in Columbia, TN

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free

Last spring frostApril 10median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsApril 26only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 27median — 10% chance by Oct 16

Growing season199 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 29 and returns around November 5.

From the NOAA station Columbia 3 Wnw, TN, elevation 650 ft. NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, 32 °F threshold. Low spots and valleys can freeze later in spring than the station.

When to plant vegetables in Columbia

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Feb 27 – Mar 13

SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 27 – Mar 20

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 30 – Feb 13

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 20 – Apr 3

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 13 – Mar 27

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 20 – Apr 3

LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 13 – Mar 27

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 20 – Apr 3

TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 13 – Feb 27

TomatoesTransplant · Apr 17 – May 1

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 30 – Feb 13

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 24 – May 8

BeansSow outdoors · Apr 17 – May 1

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 17 – May 1

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 17 – May 1

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 1 – Sep 15

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 13 – Nov 17

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 10) and first fall frost (Oct 27) with the rules of thumb U.S. extension services publish. Cool-season crops take a light frost; warm-season crops do best once the soil is above about 60 °F.

When spring arrived in 2026

In 2026, spring leaf-out near 38401 came on Feb 21 — 4 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 25).

average
Feb 252026
Feb 21

JanFebMarAprMayJun

The Spring Index marks the day when accumulated warmth is enough for lilac and honeysuckle to leaf out — a widely used signal that the growing season has started. Source: USA National Phenology Network, www.usanpn.org — Spring Indices, first leaf, 2026 (data as of 2026-09-08) and 30-year average 1991–2020 (CC BY 4.0).

Native plants for zone 7b in Tennessee

566 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in Tennessee, and rated by the USDA to survive 5 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 7b. Each links to its USDA PLANTS profile.

Source: USDA, NRCS. 2026. The PLANTS Database (plants.usda.gov), National Plant Data Team — state distribution, native status and the “Temperature, Minimum” characteristic. Check light, moisture and soil needs before buying; local nurseries and your state native plant society can confirm what thrives in Columbia, TN.

Soil in Columbia, TN

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 38401 is Etowah — silt loam, well drained.

TextureSilt loama good balance for most vegetables

pH5.0strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter2%moderate

Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Etowah silt loam, eroded sloping phosphatic phase.

Soil Survey Staff, Natural Resources Conservation Service, USDA. Soil Survey Geographic (SSURGO) Database, via Soil Data Access, accessed 2026-10-29. The soil at the center point of ZIP 38401; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Columbia, TN

Summer high89 °Faverage high, July

Winter low27 °Faverage low, January

Hot days41days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights93nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days4,351base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 34 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 45 mindaylight on December 21

Onions to growIntermediateday-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully

Precipitation56.3 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

Precipitation by month inches

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Columbia 3 Wnw, TN (4 mi away); precipitation: Columbia 1.2 Ssw, TN (2 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

ZIP codes in Columbia

Tennessee planting zones →

Questions about Columbia

What planting zone is Columbia, TN?

Columbia, TN is in USDA hardiness zone 7b on the 2023 map (7b: 5 to 10 °F).

When is the last frost in Columbia, TN?

The median last spring frost is April 10 and the median first fall frost is October 27 (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Columbia 3 Wnw station).

When can I plant a garden in Columbia, TN?

Cool-season crops like peas and spinach go in around Feb 27 – Mar 20; tomatoes, peppers, beans and squash after about Apr 17, once frost risk has passed.

What kind of onions grow in Columbia, TN?

Intermediate onions: the longest day is 14 h 34 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

How much rain and snow does Columbia, TN get?

About 56.3 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals).