Clinton, SC frost dates
Last spring frostMar 29median date
First fall frostNov 4median date
Growing season220 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone8aZone 8a
How Clinton compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Clinton falls between March 14 and April 13, a 30-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 21 and November 20.
- The median last frost is 4 days later than the South Carolina median of Mar 25.
- Its 220-day growing season is longer than 26% of the 375 South Carolina places with a regular frost season (state median 228 days).
- The last frost is typical for zone 8a, where the median is Mar 29.
- The weather station records an average of 59 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Greenville, SC, 65 km away, the last frost here is 1 day later than there and the growing season is 4 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | March 14 |
| 50% (median) | March 29 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | April 13 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 21 |
| 50% (median) | November 4 |
| 90% (late) | November 20 |
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 Clinton, SC
Clinton, SC frost dates — last frost Mar 29, first frost Nov 4, zone 8a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Jan 4 to Jan 18Transplant outside: Mar 1 to Mar 15
Start indoors: Jan 18 to Feb 1Transplant outside: Apr 12 to Apr 26
Start indoors: Jan 18 to Feb 1Transplant outside: Apr 12 to Apr 26
Start indoors: Feb 1 to Feb 15Transplant outside: Apr 5 to Apr 19
Start indoors: Feb 1 to Feb 15Transplant outside: Mar 8 to Mar 22Sow outdoors: Mar 1 to Apr 5Plant for fall: Sep 9 to Oct 7
Start indoors: Feb 1 to Feb 15Transplant outside: Mar 1 to Mar 15Sow outdoors: Mar 1 to Mar 15Plant for fall: Aug 26 to Sep 16
Start indoors: Feb 1 to Feb 15Transplant outside: Mar 15 to Mar 29Plant for fall: Jul 29 to Aug 19
Start indoors: Feb 1 to Feb 15Transplant outside: Mar 8 to Mar 22Plant for fall: Jul 29 to Aug 19
Start indoors: Feb 1 to Feb 15Transplant outside: Mar 15 to Mar 29Plant for fall: Jul 29 to Aug 19
Start indoors: Feb 15 to Mar 1Transplant outside: Apr 19 to May 3Sow outdoors: Apr 19 to May 3
Start indoors: Feb 15 to Mar 1Transplant outside: Apr 5 to Apr 19
Sow outdoors: Feb 15 to Mar 8Plant for fall: Aug 12 to Sep 2
Sow outdoors: Feb 15 to Mar 8Plant for fall: Sep 9 to Sep 30
Sow outdoors: Feb 22 to Apr 5Plant for fall: Sep 23 to Oct 14
Start indoors: Mar 1 to Mar 8Transplant outside: Apr 12 to Apr 19Sow outdoors: Apr 5 to Apr 19Plant for fall: Aug 19 to Sep 2
Start indoors: Mar 1 to Mar 8Sow outdoors: Apr 5 to Apr 19Plant for fall: Aug 26 to Sep 9
Start indoors: Mar 1 to Mar 8Sow outdoors: Apr 5 to Apr 19
Start indoors: Mar 1 to Mar 8Transplant outside: Apr 12 to Apr 26
Sow outdoors: Mar 8 to Apr 5Plant for fall: Aug 12 to Aug 26
Sow outdoors: Mar 8 to Apr 5Plant for fall: Aug 26 to Sep 9
Sow outdoors: Mar 8 to Mar 29
Sow outdoors: Mar 15 to Apr 12Plant for fall: Aug 26 to Sep 9
Sow outdoors: Mar 15 to Apr 5Plant for fall: Sep 9 to Sep 30
Sow outdoors: Apr 5 to Apr 26Plant for fall: Aug 19 to Sep 2
Sow outdoors: Apr 5 to Apr 19
Transplant outside: Apr 12 to May 3
Plant for fall: Oct 21 to Nov 25
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Clinton, SC
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Jan 4 – Jan 18 | Mar 1 – Mar 15 | — | — |
| Peppers | Jan 18 – Feb 1 | Apr 12 – Apr 26 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Jan 18 – Feb 1 | Apr 12 – Apr 26 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Feb 1 – Feb 15 | Apr 5 – Apr 19 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Feb 1 – Feb 15 | Mar 8 – Mar 22 | Mar 1 – Apr 5 | Sep 9 – Oct 7 |
| Kale | Feb 1 – Feb 15 | Mar 1 – Mar 15 | Mar 1 – Mar 15 | Aug 26 – Sep 16 |
| Broccoli | Feb 1 – Feb 15 | Mar 15 – Mar 29 | — | Jul 29 – Aug 19 |
| Cabbage | Feb 1 – Feb 15 | Mar 8 – Mar 22 | — | Jul 29 – Aug 19 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 1 – Feb 15 | Mar 15 – Mar 29 | — | Jul 29 – Aug 19 |
| Okra | Feb 15 – Mar 1 | Apr 19 – May 3 | Apr 19 – May 3 | — |
| Basil | Feb 15 – Mar 1 | Apr 5 – Apr 19 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Feb 15 – Mar 8 | Aug 12 – Sep 2 |
| Spinach | — | — | Feb 15 – Mar 8 | Sep 9 – Sep 30 |
| Radishes | — | — | Feb 22 – Apr 5 | Sep 23 – Oct 14 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 1 – Mar 8 | Apr 12 – Apr 19 | Apr 5 – Apr 19 | Aug 19 – Sep 2 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 1 – Mar 8 | — | Apr 5 – Apr 19 | Aug 26 – Sep 9 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Mar 1 – Mar 8 | — | Apr 5 – Apr 19 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Mar 1 – Mar 8 | Apr 12 – Apr 26 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Mar 8 – Apr 5 | Aug 12 – Aug 26 |
| Beets | — | — | Mar 8 – Apr 5 | Aug 26 – Sep 9 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Mar 8 – Mar 29 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Mar 15 – Apr 12 | Aug 26 – Sep 9 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Mar 15 – Apr 5 | Sep 9 – Sep 30 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Apr 5 – Apr 26 | Aug 19 – Sep 2 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Apr 5 – Apr 19 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Apr 12 – May 3 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 21 – Nov 25 |
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 Clinton, SC weather station, about 1 km away (elevation 656 ft (200 m)).
Frost dates near Clinton
- Joanna Mar 29 · Nov 4
- Laurens Apr 1 · Nov 5
- Kinards Mar 29 · Nov 4
- Mountville Mar 22 · Nov 13
- Cross Anchor Apr 6 · Oct 30
- Enoree Apr 1 · Nov 5
- Waterloo Mar 22 · Nov 13
- Cross Hill Mar 22 · Nov 13
- Whitmire Apr 6 · Oct 30
- Gray Court Mar 29 · Nov 5
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Clinton, SC?
The median last spring frost in Clinton, SC is March 29. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after April 13, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Clinton, SC?
The median first fall frost is November 4, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 21.
How long is the growing season in Clinton, SC?
About 220 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Clinton, SC?
Clinton, SC is in USDA hardiness zone 8a.