Cope, SC frost dates
Last spring frostMar 18median date
First fall frostNov 12median date
Growing season239 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone8bZone 8b
How Cope compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Cope falls between February 26 and April 4, a 37-day window. The first fall frost falls between November 1 and December 2.
- The median last frost is 7 days earlier than the South Carolina median of Mar 25.
- Its 239-day growing season is longer than 74% 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 38 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Columbia, SC, 72 km away, the last frost here is 2 days later than there and the growing season is 6 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | February 26 |
| 50% (median) | March 18 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | April 4 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | November 1 |
| 50% (median) | November 12 |
| 90% (late) | December 2 |
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 Cope, SC
Cope, SC frost dates — last frost Mar 18, first frost Nov 12, zone 8b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
JFMAMJJASOND
Start indoors: Dec 24 to Jan 7Start indoors: Dec 24 to Jan 7Transplant outside: Feb 18 to Mar 4
Start indoors: Jan 7 to Jan 21Transplant outside: Apr 1 to Apr 15
Start indoors: Jan 7 to Jan 21Transplant outside: Apr 1 to Apr 15
Start indoors: Jan 21 to Feb 4Transplant outside: Mar 25 to Apr 8
Start indoors: Jan 21 to Feb 4Transplant outside: Feb 25 to Mar 11Sow outdoors: Feb 18 to Mar 25Plant for fall: Sep 17 to Oct 15
Start indoors: Jan 21 to Feb 4Transplant outside: Feb 18 to Mar 4Sow outdoors: Feb 18 to Mar 4Plant for fall: Sep 3 to Sep 24
Start indoors: Jan 21 to Feb 4Transplant outside: Mar 4 to Mar 18Plant for fall: Aug 6 to Aug 27
Start indoors: Jan 21 to Feb 4Transplant outside: Feb 25 to Mar 11Plant for fall: Aug 6 to Aug 27
Start indoors: Jan 21 to Feb 4Transplant outside: Mar 4 to Mar 18Plant for fall: Aug 6 to Aug 27
Start indoors: Feb 4 to Feb 18Transplant outside: Apr 8 to Apr 22Sow outdoors: Apr 8 to Apr 22
Start indoors: Feb 4 to Feb 18Transplant outside: Mar 25 to Apr 8
Sow outdoors: Feb 4 to Feb 25Plant for fall: Aug 20 to Sep 10
Sow outdoors: Feb 4 to Feb 25Plant for fall: Sep 17 to Oct 8
Sow outdoors: Feb 11 to Mar 25Plant for fall: Oct 1 to Oct 22
Start indoors: Feb 18 to Feb 25Transplant outside: Apr 1 to Apr 8Sow outdoors: Mar 25 to Apr 8Plant for fall: Aug 27 to Sep 10
Start indoors: Feb 18 to Feb 25Sow outdoors: Mar 25 to Apr 8Plant for fall: Sep 3 to Sep 17
Start indoors: Feb 18 to Feb 25Sow outdoors: Mar 25 to Apr 8
Start indoors: Feb 18 to Feb 25Transplant outside: Apr 1 to Apr 15
Sow outdoors: Feb 25 to Mar 25Plant for fall: Aug 20 to Sep 3
Sow outdoors: Feb 25 to Mar 25Plant for fall: Sep 3 to Sep 17
Sow outdoors: Feb 25 to Mar 18
Sow outdoors: Mar 4 to Apr 1Plant for fall: Sep 3 to Sep 17
Sow outdoors: Mar 4 to Mar 25Plant for fall: Sep 17 to Oct 8
Sow outdoors: Mar 25 to Apr 15Plant for fall: Aug 27 to Sep 10
Sow outdoors: Mar 25 to Apr 8
Transplant outside: Apr 1 to Apr 22
Plant for fall: Oct 29 to Dec 3
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Cope, SC
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Dec 24 – Jan 7 | Feb 18 – Mar 4 | — | — |
| Peppers | Jan 7 – Jan 21 | Apr 1 – Apr 15 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Jan 7 – Jan 21 | Apr 1 – Apr 15 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Jan 21 – Feb 4 | Mar 25 – Apr 8 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Jan 21 – Feb 4 | Feb 25 – Mar 11 | Feb 18 – Mar 25 | Sep 17 – Oct 15 |
| Kale | Jan 21 – Feb 4 | Feb 18 – Mar 4 | Feb 18 – Mar 4 | Sep 3 – Sep 24 |
| Broccoli | Jan 21 – Feb 4 | Mar 4 – Mar 18 | — | Aug 6 – Aug 27 |
| Cabbage | Jan 21 – Feb 4 | Feb 25 – Mar 11 | — | Aug 6 – Aug 27 |
| Cauliflower | Jan 21 – Feb 4 | Mar 4 – Mar 18 | — | Aug 6 – Aug 27 |
| Okra | Feb 4 – Feb 18 | Apr 8 – Apr 22 | Apr 8 – Apr 22 | — |
| Basil | Feb 4 – Feb 18 | Mar 25 – Apr 8 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Feb 4 – Feb 25 | Aug 20 – Sep 10 |
| Spinach | — | — | Feb 4 – Feb 25 | Sep 17 – Oct 8 |
| Radishes | — | — | Feb 11 – Mar 25 | Oct 1 – Oct 22 |
| Cucumbers | Feb 18 – Feb 25 | Apr 1 – Apr 8 | Mar 25 – Apr 8 | Aug 27 – Sep 10 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Feb 18 – Feb 25 | — | Mar 25 – Apr 8 | Sep 3 – Sep 17 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Feb 18 – Feb 25 | — | Mar 25 – Apr 8 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Feb 18 – Feb 25 | Apr 1 – Apr 15 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Feb 25 – Mar 25 | Aug 20 – Sep 3 |
| Beets | — | — | Feb 25 – Mar 25 | Sep 3 – Sep 17 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Feb 25 – Mar 18 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Mar 4 – Apr 1 | Sep 3 – Sep 17 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Mar 4 – Mar 25 | Sep 17 – Oct 8 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Mar 25 – Apr 15 | Aug 27 – Sep 10 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Mar 25 – Apr 8 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Apr 1 – Apr 22 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 29 – Dec 3 |
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 Bamberg, SC weather station, 11 km away (elevation 157 ft (48 m)).
Frost dates near Cope
- Cordova Mar 15 · Nov 19
- Bamberg Mar 18 · Nov 12
- Rowesville Mar 15 · Nov 19
- Norway Mar 18 · Nov 12
- Denmark Mar 18 · Nov 12
- Orangeburg Mar 13 · Nov 15
- Branchville Mar 18 · Nov 12
- Neeses Mar 26 · Nov 6
- Bowman Mar 15 · Nov 19
- Olar Mar 22 · Nov 9
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Cope, SC?
The median last spring frost in Cope, SC is March 18. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after April 4, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Cope, SC?
The median first fall frost is November 12, with about a 10% chance of frost before November 1.
How long is the growing season in Cope, SC?
About 239 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Cope, SC?
Cope, SC is in USDA hardiness zone 8b.