When Is the Last Frost in South Carolina?
The average last spring frost in South Carolina falls between March 7 and April 8 for most ZIP codes, with a statewide median of March 24. At the average date a later frost is still a coin flip, so tender plants wait for the safer 90% date.
| City | Last frost | 90% safe after | First frost | Growing season |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charleston | Mar 7 | Mar 27 | Nov 27 | 266 days |
| Columbia | Mar 16 | Apr 3 | Nov 16 | 245 days |
| North Charleston | Mar 7 | Mar 27 | Nov 27 | 266 days |
| Mount Pleasant | Mar 13 | Mar 30 | Nov 30 | 262 days |
| Rock Hill | Mar 27 | Apr 11 | Nov 5 | 225 days |
| Greenville | Mar 28 | Apr 12 | Nov 7 | 225 days |
| Summerville | Mar 22 | Apr 7 | Nov 12 | 238 days |
| Goose Creek | Mar 7 | Mar 27 | Nov 27 | 266 days |
| Greer | Mar 28 | Apr 14 | Nov 7 | 224 days |
| Sumter | Mar 21 | Apr 9 | Nov 13 | 239 days |
| Florence | Mar 19 | Apr 5 | Nov 13 | 241 days |
| Myrtle Beach | Mar 21 | Apr 7 | Nov 13 | 239 days |
| Spartanburg | Apr 8 | Apr 23 | Nov 1 | 206 days |
| Hilton Head Island | Mar 3 | Mar 20 | Dec 9 | 282 days |
| Aiken | Mar 19 | Apr 5 | Nov 14 | 241 days |
| Anderson | Mar 23 | Apr 6 | Nov 11 | 234 days |
| Lexington | Mar 25 | Apr 10 | Nov 7 | 229 days |
| Greenwood | Apr 1 | Apr 18 | Nov 2 | 216 days |
Last and first frost: 50% (median) dates of the last spring and first fall 32 °F night. 90% safe after: only a 10% chance of a later spring frost. First frost dates in January fall in the following winter. Each city uses the NOAA station nearest the ZIP code closest to its center.
Across all 103 South Carolina weather stations with frost records, median last frost dates run from February 4 at Charleston City, SC to April 26 at Jocassee 8 WNW, SC. Elevation, valleys that collect cold air and distance from large water bodies explain most of the spread, so a garden a few miles from a listed city can differ by a week or more. The ZIP code lookup above uses the same NOAA data as the frost date calculator for every US ZIP code.
When Is the First Frost in South Carolina?
The average first fall frost in South Carolina arrives between November 1 and November 27 for most ZIP codes, with a median of November 9. Tomatoes, peppers, basil and squash are damaged at 32 °F, so harvest or cover them before then.
Fall frost can come early: Charleston has a 10% chance of frost before November 8, Columbia has a 10% chance of frost before November 2 and North Charleston has a 10% chance of frost before November 8. Hardy crops such as kale, spinach and cabbage tolerate light frosts and keep producing after the first frost date.
When to Plant Tomatoes in South Carolina?
Transplant tomatoes in South Carolina 1 to 2 weeks after the local average last frost, once nights stay above about 50 °F: Mar 14 – Mar 21 in Charleston, Mar 23 – Mar 30 in Columbia and Mar 14 – Mar 21 in North Charleston. Start seeds indoors 6 to 8 weeks before the last frost.
| City | Start seeds indoors | Transplant outdoors | Lowest-risk transplant |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charleston | Jan 10 – Jan 24 | Mar 14 – Mar 21 | after Mar 27 |
| Columbia | Jan 19 – Feb 2 | Mar 23 – Mar 30 | after Apr 3 |
| North Charleston | Jan 10 – Jan 24 | Mar 14 – Mar 21 | after Mar 27 |
| Mount Pleasant | Jan 16 – Jan 30 | Mar 20 – Mar 27 | after Mar 30 |
| Rock Hill | Jan 30 – Feb 13 | Apr 3 – Apr 10 | after Apr 11 |
| Greenville | Jan 31 – Feb 14 | Apr 4 – Apr 11 | after Apr 12 |
| Summerville | Jan 25 – Feb 8 | Mar 29 – Apr 5 | after Apr 7 |
| Goose Creek | Jan 10 – Jan 24 | Mar 14 – Mar 21 | after Mar 27 |
| Greer | Jan 31 – Feb 14 | Apr 4 – Apr 11 | after Apr 14 |
| Sumter | Jan 24 – Feb 7 | Mar 28 – Apr 4 | after Apr 9 |
| Florence | Jan 22 – Feb 5 | Mar 26 – Apr 2 | after Apr 5 |
| Myrtle Beach | Jan 24 – Feb 7 | Mar 28 – Apr 4 | after Apr 7 |
| Spartanburg | Feb 11 – Feb 25 | Apr 15 – Apr 22 | after Apr 23 |
| Hilton Head Island | Jan 6 – Jan 20 | Mar 10 – Mar 17 | after Mar 20 |
| Aiken | Jan 22 – Feb 5 | Mar 26 – Apr 2 | after Apr 5 |
| Anderson | Jan 26 – Feb 9 | Mar 30 – Apr 6 | after Apr 6 |
| Lexington | Jan 28 – Feb 11 | Apr 1 – Apr 8 | after Apr 10 |
| Greenwood | Feb 4 – Feb 18 | Apr 8 – Apr 15 | after Apr 18 |
Indoors: 6–8 weeks before the average last frost. Outdoors: 1–2 weeks after it. Lowest-risk: after the date with only a 10% chance of a later frost. Rules of thumb; check the 10-day forecast and wait for soil near 60 °F.
Tomatoes stall below about 50 °F at night and are killed by frost, so a week or two of waiting after the average date costs little. The tomato plant care guide covers light, watering and feeding once plants are in the ground.
What Can You Plant in Charleston and When?
Charleston's average last frost of March 7 anchors its spring planting calendar: peas and spinach go in from January 24, broccoli and lettuce transplants from February 7, and tomatoes, peppers and squash after March 14.
| Crop | Start seeds indoors | Plant outdoors | Frost tolerance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Peas | — | Jan 24 – Feb 7direct sow, 4–6 weeks before last frost | hardy |
| Spinach | — | Jan 24 – Feb 14direct sow, 3–6 weeks before last frost | hardy |
| Radishes | — | Jan 31 – Feb 14direct sow, 3–5 weeks before last frost | hardy |
| Onions (sets) | — | Feb 7 – Feb 21plant, 2–4 weeks before last frost | hardy |
| Potatoes | — | Feb 7 – Feb 21plant, 2–4 weeks before last frost | half-hardy |
| Broccoli & cabbage | Jan 10 – Jan 24 | Feb 7 – Feb 21transplant, 2–4 weeks before last frost | hardy |
| Lettuce | Jan 24 – Feb 7 | Feb 7 – Feb 21transplant, 2–4 weeks before last frost | hardy |
| Beets | — | Feb 7 – Feb 21direct sow, 2–4 weeks before last frost | half-hardy |
| Carrots | — | Feb 14 – Feb 21direct sow, 2–3 weeks before last frost | half-hardy |
| Tomatoes | Jan 10 – Jan 24 | Mar 14 – Mar 21transplant, 1–2 weeks after last frost | tender |
| Basil | Jan 10 – Jan 24 | Mar 14 – Mar 28transplant, 1–3 weeks after last frost | tender |
| Peppers | Dec 27 – Jan 10 | Mar 21 – Mar 28transplant, 2–3 weeks after last frost | tender |
| Eggplant | Dec 27 – Jan 10 | Mar 21 – Mar 28transplant, 2–3 weeks after last frost | tender |
| Green beans | — | Mar 14 – Mar 28direct sow, 1–3 weeks after last frost | tender |
| Sweet corn | — | Mar 14 – Mar 28direct sow, 1–3 weeks after last frost | tender |
| Cucumbers | Feb 7 – Feb 14 | Mar 14 – Mar 28transplant, 1–3 weeks after last frost | tender |
| Squash & zucchini | Feb 7 – Feb 14 | Mar 14 – Mar 28transplant, 1–3 weeks after last frost | tender |
| Watermelon | Feb 7 – Feb 14 | Mar 21 – Mar 28transplant, 2–3 weeks after last frost | tender |
Dates for Charleston (last frost Mar 7, NOAA station Charleston INTL AP, SC, 5 miles from ZIP 29405). General rules of thumb; wait for soil near 50 °F for most seeds and 60 °F for beans, corn and squash.
How Long Is the Growing Season in South Carolina?
The frost-free growing season in South Carolina lasts about 206 to 266 days for most ZIP codes, with a median of 232 days. Among the listed cities, Spartanburg has the shortest season at 206 days and Hilton Head Island the longest at 282.
Season length decides which varieties ripen: compare it with the “days to maturity” on seed packets, counted from transplanting for tomatoes and peppers. NOAA stations in South Carolina range from 174 days at Jocassee 8 WNW, SC to 321 days at Charleston City, SC. Planning beds before the season starts helps in short seasons — a plant spacing calculator for vegetable beds shows how many transplants fit.
What Hardiness Zones Are in South Carolina?
South Carolina spans USDA hardiness zones 8a to 9b, with zone 8b the most common. Zones describe winter cold and decide which perennials survive, while frost dates set when to plant annual vegetables and flowers.
The South Carolina planting zone map with the zone of each city shows how the zones are spread across the state and which plants are hardy in all of them.
Frequently Asked Questions
- When is the last frost in South Carolina?
- The average last spring frost in South Carolina falls between March 7 and April 8 for most ZIP codes, with a statewide median of March 24. Among major cities it ranges from March 3 in Hilton Head Island to April 8 in Spartanburg.
- When is the last frost in Charleston, South Carolina?
- Charleston's average last spring frost is March 7, and by March 27 the chance of a later frost drops to 10%. Its first fall frost averages November 27, giving a 266-day growing season (NOAA station Charleston INTL AP, SC).
- When should you plant tomatoes in South Carolina?
- Transplant tomatoes in South Carolina 1 to 2 weeks after the local average last frost, once nights stay above about 50 °F: Mar 14 – Mar 21 in Charleston, Mar 23 – Mar 30 in Columbia and Mar 14 – Mar 21 in North Charleston. Start seeds indoors 6 to 8 weeks before the last frost.
- When is the first frost in South Carolina?
- The average first fall frost in South Carolina arrives between November 1 and November 27 for most ZIP codes, with a median of November 9. Harvest tender crops such as tomatoes, peppers and basil before then or cover them on cold nights.
- How long is the growing season in South Carolina?
- The frost-free growing season in South Carolina lasts about 206 to 266 days for most ZIP codes, with a median of 232 days, from 206 days in Spartanburg to 282 days in Hilton Head Island.
Frost data: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, 1991–2020 U.S. Climate Normals (32 °F freeze dates by probability). ZIP code and city locations and populations: U.S. Census Bureau Gazetteer files and Vintage 2024 population estimates. Planting windows are general rules of thumb. PlantoScan is not affiliated with or endorsed by these agencies.