Cordova, SC frost dates
Last spring frostMar 15median date
First fall frostNov 19median date
Growing season249 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone8bZone 8b
How Cordova compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Cordova falls between February 22 and March 31, a 37-day window. The first fall frost falls between November 3 and December 10.
- The median last frost is 10 days earlier than the South Carolina median of Mar 25.
- Its 249-day growing season is longer than 82% 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 35 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Columbia, SC, 66 km away, the last frost here is 1 day earlier than there and the growing season is 4 days longer.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | February 22 |
| 50% (median) | March 15 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | March 31 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | November 3 |
| 50% (median) | November 19 |
| 90% (late) | December 10 |
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 Cordova, SC
Cordova, SC frost dates — last frost Mar 15, first frost Nov 19, zone 8b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
JFMAMJJASOND
Start indoors: Dec 21 to Jan 4Start indoors: Dec 21 to Jan 4Transplant outside: Feb 15 to Mar 1
Start indoors: Jan 4 to Jan 18Transplant outside: Mar 29 to Apr 12
Start indoors: Jan 4 to Jan 18Transplant outside: Mar 29 to Apr 12
Start indoors: Jan 18 to Feb 1Transplant outside: Mar 22 to Apr 5
Start indoors: Jan 18 to Feb 1Transplant outside: Feb 22 to Mar 8Sow outdoors: Feb 15 to Mar 22Plant for fall: Sep 24 to Oct 22
Start indoors: Jan 18 to Feb 1Transplant outside: Feb 15 to Mar 1Sow outdoors: Feb 15 to Mar 1Plant for fall: Sep 10 to Oct 1
Start indoors: Jan 18 to Feb 1Transplant outside: Mar 1 to Mar 15Plant for fall: Aug 13 to Sep 3
Start indoors: Jan 18 to Feb 1Transplant outside: Feb 22 to Mar 8Plant for fall: Aug 13 to Sep 3
Start indoors: Jan 18 to Feb 1Transplant outside: Mar 1 to Mar 15Plant for fall: Aug 13 to Sep 3
Start indoors: Feb 1 to Feb 15Transplant outside: Apr 5 to Apr 19Sow outdoors: Apr 5 to Apr 19
Start indoors: Feb 1 to Feb 15Transplant outside: Mar 22 to Apr 5
Sow outdoors: Feb 1 to Feb 22Plant for fall: Aug 27 to Sep 17
Sow outdoors: Feb 1 to Feb 22Plant for fall: Sep 24 to Oct 15
Sow outdoors: Feb 8 to Mar 22Plant for fall: Oct 8 to Oct 29
Start indoors: Feb 15 to Feb 22Transplant outside: Mar 29 to Apr 5Sow outdoors: Mar 22 to Apr 5Plant for fall: Sep 3 to Sep 17
Start indoors: Feb 15 to Feb 22Sow outdoors: Mar 22 to Apr 5Plant for fall: Sep 10 to Sep 24
Start indoors: Feb 15 to Feb 22Sow outdoors: Mar 22 to Apr 5
Start indoors: Feb 15 to Feb 22Transplant outside: Mar 29 to Apr 12
Sow outdoors: Feb 22 to Mar 22Plant for fall: Aug 27 to Sep 10
Sow outdoors: Feb 22 to Mar 22Plant for fall: Sep 10 to Sep 24
Sow outdoors: Feb 22 to Mar 15
Sow outdoors: Mar 1 to Mar 29Plant for fall: Sep 10 to Sep 24
Sow outdoors: Mar 1 to Mar 22Plant for fall: Sep 24 to Oct 15
Sow outdoors: Mar 22 to Apr 12Plant for fall: Sep 3 to Sep 17
Sow outdoors: Mar 22 to Apr 5
Transplant outside: Mar 29 to Apr 19
Plant for fall: Nov 5 to Dec 10
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Cordova, SC
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Dec 21 – Jan 4 | Feb 15 – Mar 1 | — | — |
| Peppers | Jan 4 – Jan 18 | Mar 29 – Apr 12 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Jan 4 – Jan 18 | Mar 29 – Apr 12 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Jan 18 – Feb 1 | Mar 22 – Apr 5 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Jan 18 – Feb 1 | Feb 22 – Mar 8 | Feb 15 – Mar 22 | Sep 24 – Oct 22 |
| Kale | Jan 18 – Feb 1 | Feb 15 – Mar 1 | Feb 15 – Mar 1 | Sep 10 – Oct 1 |
| Broccoli | Jan 18 – Feb 1 | Mar 1 – Mar 15 | — | Aug 13 – Sep 3 |
| Cabbage | Jan 18 – Feb 1 | Feb 22 – Mar 8 | — | Aug 13 – Sep 3 |
| Cauliflower | Jan 18 – Feb 1 | Mar 1 – Mar 15 | — | Aug 13 – Sep 3 |
| Okra | Feb 1 – Feb 15 | Apr 5 – Apr 19 | Apr 5 – Apr 19 | — |
| Basil | Feb 1 – Feb 15 | Mar 22 – Apr 5 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Feb 1 – Feb 22 | Aug 27 – Sep 17 |
| Spinach | — | — | Feb 1 – Feb 22 | Sep 24 – Oct 15 |
| Radishes | — | — | Feb 8 – Mar 22 | Oct 8 – Oct 29 |
| Cucumbers | Feb 15 – Feb 22 | Mar 29 – Apr 5 | Mar 22 – Apr 5 | Sep 3 – Sep 17 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Feb 15 – Feb 22 | — | Mar 22 – Apr 5 | Sep 10 – Sep 24 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Feb 15 – Feb 22 | — | Mar 22 – Apr 5 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Feb 15 – Feb 22 | Mar 29 – Apr 12 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Feb 22 – Mar 22 | Aug 27 – Sep 10 |
| Beets | — | — | Feb 22 – Mar 22 | Sep 10 – Sep 24 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Feb 22 – Mar 15 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Mar 1 – Mar 29 | Sep 10 – Sep 24 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Mar 1 – Mar 22 | Sep 24 – Oct 15 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Mar 22 – Apr 12 | Sep 3 – Sep 17 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Mar 22 – Apr 5 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Mar 29 – Apr 19 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Nov 5 – Dec 10 |
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 Orangeburg Muni Ap, SC weather station, 5 km away (elevation 197 ft (60 m)).
Frost dates near Cordova
- Rowesville Mar 15 · Nov 19
- Cope Mar 18 · Nov 12
- Orangeburg Mar 13 · Nov 15
- Branchville Mar 18 · Nov 12
- Bamberg Mar 18 · Nov 12
- Norway Mar 18 · Nov 12
- Bowman Mar 15 · Nov 19
- Cameron Mar 13 · Nov 15
- Neeses Mar 26 · Nov 6
- Denmark Mar 18 · Nov 12
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Cordova, SC?
The median last spring frost in Cordova, SC is March 15. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after March 31, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Cordova, SC?
The median first fall frost is November 19, with about a 10% chance of frost before November 3.
How long is the growing season in Cordova, SC?
About 249 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Cordova, SC?
Cordova, SC is in USDA hardiness zone 8b.