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South Carolina frost dates
Across the 15South Carolina weather stations below, the average last spring frost ranges from Feb 4 in Charleston to Apr 1 in Greenwood. The statewide middle is about Mar 19 for the last spring frost and Nov 13 for the first fall frost. Charleston has the longest growing season, about 329 days. Hardiness zones in these places: 8a, 8b, 9a.
Frost dates by city
| Place | Zone | Last spring frost | 90% safe after | First fall frost | Frost-free days |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charleston | 9a | Feb 4 | Mar 4 | Dec 30 | 329 |
| Beaufort Mcas | 9a | Feb 28 | Mar 21 | Dec 3 | 278 |
| Mcclellanville 7 Ne | 9a | Feb 28 | Mar 25 | Dec 1 | 276 |
| Columbia Owens Dwtn | 8b | Mar 13 | Mar 31 | Nov 19 | 251 |
| N Myrtle Bch | 8b | Mar 13 | Mar 31 | Nov 20 | 252 |
| Orangeburg | 8b | Mar 15 | Mar 31 | Nov 19 | 249 |
| Greenville Dwtn | 8a | Mar 16 | Apr 2 | Nov 20 | 249 |
| Florence | 8b | Mar 19 | Apr 5 | Nov 13 | 239 |
| Blackville 3 W | 8b | Mar 20 | Apr 8 | Nov 13 | 238 |
| Clemson Oconee | 8b | Mar 21 | Apr 7 | Nov 11 | 235 |
| Columbia | 8b | Mar 25 | Apr 10 | Nov 7 | 227 |
| Greer | 8a | Mar 28 | Apr 14 | Nov 7 | 224 |
| Anderson | 8a | Mar 29 | Apr 13 | Nov 8 | 224 |
| Rock Hill York | 8a | Mar 31 | Apr 15 | Nov 4 | 218 |
| Greenwood | 8a | Apr 1 | Apr 18 | Nov 2 | 215 |
Dates are the 50% probability of a 32°F freeze (NOAA 1991–2020 normals); "90% safe after" is the date after which a later spring freeze happens in only 1 year in 10.
When to plant in South Carolina
Using the statewide middle dates (last frost Mar 19, first frost Nov 13). Adjust for your town with the table above or the planting calendar.
| Plant | When to plant in South Carolina |
|---|---|
| Tomatoes | Mar 26 – Apr 9 |
| Peas | Feb 5 – Feb 26; fall: Aug 21 – Sep 11 |
| Potatoes | Feb 19 – Mar 12 |
| Green beans | Mar 26 – Apr 9; fall: Aug 28 – Sep 11 |
| Garlic | Nov 13 – Dec 11 |
| Tulips | Oct 30 – Dec 11 |