Aiken, SC frost dates
Last spring frostMar 19median date
First fall frostNov 14median date
Growing season240 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone8bZone 8b
How Aiken compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Aiken falls between February 28 and April 5, a 36-day window. The first fall frost falls between November 1 and December 4.
- The median last frost is 6 days earlier than the South Carolina median of Mar 25.
- Its 240-day growing season is longer than 77% of the 375 South Carolina places with a regular frost season (state median 228 days).
- The last frost is typical for zone 8b, where the median is Mar 16.
- The weather station records an average of 41 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Columbia, SC, 79 km away, the last frost here is 3 days later than there and the growing season is 5 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | February 28 |
| 50% (median) | March 19 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | April 5 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | November 1 |
| 50% (median) | November 14 |
| 90% (late) | December 4 |
Frost here means 32°F (0°C). A median date means half of years have their last frost earlier and half later.
Planting calendar for Aiken, SC
Aiken, SC frost dates — last frost Mar 19, first frost Nov 14, zone 8b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
JFMAMJJASOND
Start indoors: Dec 25 to Jan 8Start indoors: Dec 25 to Jan 8Transplant outside: Feb 19 to Mar 5
Start indoors: Jan 8 to Jan 22Transplant outside: Apr 2 to Apr 16
Start indoors: Jan 8 to Jan 22Transplant outside: Apr 2 to Apr 16
Start indoors: Jan 22 to Feb 5Transplant outside: Mar 26 to Apr 9
Start indoors: Jan 22 to Feb 5Transplant outside: Feb 26 to Mar 12Sow outdoors: Feb 19 to Mar 26Plant for fall: Sep 19 to Oct 17
Start indoors: Jan 22 to Feb 5Transplant outside: Feb 19 to Mar 5Sow outdoors: Feb 19 to Mar 5Plant for fall: Sep 5 to Sep 26
Start indoors: Jan 22 to Feb 5Transplant outside: Mar 5 to Mar 19Plant for fall: Aug 8 to Aug 29
Start indoors: Jan 22 to Feb 5Transplant outside: Feb 26 to Mar 12Plant for fall: Aug 8 to Aug 29
Start indoors: Jan 22 to Feb 5Transplant outside: Mar 5 to Mar 19Plant for fall: Aug 8 to Aug 29
Start indoors: Feb 5 to Feb 19Transplant outside: Apr 9 to Apr 23Sow outdoors: Apr 9 to Apr 23
Start indoors: Feb 5 to Feb 19Transplant outside: Mar 26 to Apr 9
Sow outdoors: Feb 5 to Feb 26Plant for fall: Aug 22 to Sep 12
Sow outdoors: Feb 5 to Feb 26Plant for fall: Sep 19 to Oct 10
Sow outdoors: Feb 12 to Mar 26Plant for fall: Oct 3 to Oct 24
Start indoors: Feb 19 to Feb 26Transplant outside: Apr 2 to Apr 9Sow outdoors: Mar 26 to Apr 9Plant for fall: Aug 29 to Sep 12
Start indoors: Feb 19 to Feb 26Sow outdoors: Mar 26 to Apr 9Plant for fall: Sep 5 to Sep 19
Start indoors: Feb 19 to Feb 26Sow outdoors: Mar 26 to Apr 9
Start indoors: Feb 19 to Feb 26Transplant outside: Apr 2 to Apr 16
Sow outdoors: Feb 26 to Mar 26Plant for fall: Aug 22 to Sep 5
Sow outdoors: Feb 26 to Mar 26Plant for fall: Sep 5 to Sep 19
Sow outdoors: Feb 26 to Mar 19
Sow outdoors: Mar 5 to Apr 2Plant for fall: Sep 5 to Sep 19
Sow outdoors: Mar 5 to Mar 26Plant for fall: Sep 19 to Oct 10
Sow outdoors: Mar 26 to Apr 16Plant for fall: Aug 29 to Sep 12
Sow outdoors: Mar 26 to Apr 9
Transplant outside: Apr 2 to Apr 23
Plant for fall: Oct 31 to Dec 5
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Aiken, SC
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Dec 25 – Jan 8 | Feb 19 – Mar 5 | — | — |
| Peppers | Jan 8 – Jan 22 | Apr 2 – Apr 16 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Jan 8 – Jan 22 | Apr 2 – Apr 16 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Jan 22 – Feb 5 | Mar 26 – Apr 9 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Jan 22 – Feb 5 | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | Feb 19 – Mar 26 | Sep 19 – Oct 17 |
| Kale | Jan 22 – Feb 5 | Feb 19 – Mar 5 | Feb 19 – Mar 5 | Sep 5 – Sep 26 |
| Broccoli | Jan 22 – Feb 5 | Mar 5 – Mar 19 | — | Aug 8 – Aug 29 |
| Cabbage | Jan 22 – Feb 5 | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | — | Aug 8 – Aug 29 |
| Cauliflower | Jan 22 – Feb 5 | Mar 5 – Mar 19 | — | Aug 8 – Aug 29 |
| Okra | Feb 5 – Feb 19 | Apr 9 – Apr 23 | Apr 9 – Apr 23 | — |
| Basil | Feb 5 – Feb 19 | Mar 26 – Apr 9 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Feb 5 – Feb 26 | Aug 22 – Sep 12 |
| Spinach | — | — | Feb 5 – Feb 26 | Sep 19 – Oct 10 |
| Radishes | — | — | Feb 12 – Mar 26 | Oct 3 – Oct 24 |
| Cucumbers | Feb 19 – Feb 26 | Apr 2 – Apr 9 | Mar 26 – Apr 9 | Aug 29 – Sep 12 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Feb 19 – Feb 26 | — | Mar 26 – Apr 9 | Sep 5 – Sep 19 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Feb 19 – Feb 26 | — | Mar 26 – Apr 9 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Feb 19 – Feb 26 | Apr 2 – Apr 16 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Feb 26 – Mar 26 | Aug 22 – Sep 5 |
| Beets | — | — | Feb 26 – Mar 26 | Sep 5 – Sep 19 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Feb 26 – Mar 19 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Mar 5 – Apr 2 | Sep 5 – Sep 19 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Mar 5 – Mar 26 | Sep 19 – Oct 10 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Mar 26 – Apr 16 | Aug 29 – Sep 12 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Mar 26 – Apr 9 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Apr 2 – Apr 23 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 31 – Dec 5 |
Dates come from the median frost dates and common extension-service timing. Adjust for your soil temperature, microclimate and the varieties you grow.
About these dates
Based on 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals for the Aiken 2 E, SC weather station, 4 km away (elevation 541 ft (165 m)).
ZIP codes in Aiken: 29801 29802 29803 29804 29805 29808
Frost dates near Aiken
- Montmorenci Mar 21 · Nov 7
- Warrenville Apr 9 · Nov 1
- Graniteville Apr 9 · Nov 1
- Vaucluse Apr 9 · Nov 1
- Gloverville Apr 9 · Nov 1
- New Ellenton Mar 21 · Nov 7
- Langley Apr 9 · Nov 1
- Windsor Mar 21 · Nov 7
- Clearwater Apr 9 · Nov 1
- Bath Apr 9 · Nov 1
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Aiken, SC?
The median last spring frost in Aiken, SC is March 19. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after April 5, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Aiken, SC?
The median first fall frost is November 14, with about a 10% chance of frost before November 1.
How long is the growing season in Aiken, SC?
About 240 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Aiken, SC?
Aiken, SC is in USDA hardiness zone 8b.