Fair Play, SC frost dates
Last spring frostMar 20median date
First fall frostNov 15median date
Growing season240 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone8aZone 8a
How Fair Play compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Fair Play falls between March 1 and April 6, a 36-day window. The first fall frost falls between November 1 and December 5.
- The median last frost is 5 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 9 days earlier than the zone 8a median of Mar 29. Hardiness zones measure winter cold, not season length, so use these dates rather than a zone 8a chart.
- The weather station records an average of 49 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Greenville, SC, 65 km away, the last frost here is 8 days earlier than there and the growing season is 16 days longer.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | March 1 |
| 50% (median) | March 20 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | April 6 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | November 1 |
| 50% (median) | November 15 |
| 90% (late) | December 5 |
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 Fair Play, SC
Fair Play, SC frost dates — last frost Mar 20, first frost Nov 15, zone 8a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
JFMAMJJASOND
Start indoors: Dec 26 to Jan 9Start indoors: Dec 26 to Jan 9Transplant outside: Feb 20 to Mar 6
Start indoors: Jan 9 to Jan 23Transplant outside: Apr 3 to Apr 17
Start indoors: Jan 9 to Jan 23Transplant outside: Apr 3 to Apr 17
Start indoors: Jan 23 to Feb 6Transplant outside: Mar 27 to Apr 10
Start indoors: Jan 23 to Feb 6Transplant outside: Feb 27 to Mar 13Sow outdoors: Feb 20 to Mar 27Plant for fall: Sep 20 to Oct 18
Start indoors: Jan 23 to Feb 6Transplant outside: Feb 20 to Mar 6Sow outdoors: Feb 20 to Mar 6Plant for fall: Sep 6 to Sep 27
Start indoors: Jan 23 to Feb 6Transplant outside: Mar 6 to Mar 20Plant for fall: Aug 9 to Aug 30
Start indoors: Jan 23 to Feb 6Transplant outside: Feb 27 to Mar 13Plant for fall: Aug 9 to Aug 30
Start indoors: Jan 23 to Feb 6Transplant outside: Mar 6 to Mar 20Plant for fall: Aug 9 to Aug 30
Start indoors: Feb 6 to Feb 20Transplant outside: Apr 10 to Apr 24Sow outdoors: Apr 10 to Apr 24
Start indoors: Feb 6 to Feb 20Transplant outside: Mar 27 to Apr 10
Sow outdoors: Feb 6 to Feb 27Plant for fall: Aug 23 to Sep 13
Sow outdoors: Feb 6 to Feb 27Plant for fall: Sep 20 to Oct 11
Sow outdoors: Feb 13 to Mar 27Plant for fall: Oct 4 to Oct 25
Start indoors: Feb 20 to Feb 27Transplant outside: Apr 3 to Apr 10Sow outdoors: Mar 27 to Apr 10Plant for fall: Aug 30 to Sep 13
Start indoors: Feb 20 to Feb 27Sow outdoors: Mar 27 to Apr 10Plant for fall: Sep 6 to Sep 20
Start indoors: Feb 20 to Feb 27Sow outdoors: Mar 27 to Apr 10
Start indoors: Feb 20 to Feb 27Transplant outside: Apr 3 to Apr 17
Sow outdoors: Feb 27 to Mar 27Plant for fall: Aug 23 to Sep 6
Sow outdoors: Feb 27 to Mar 27Plant for fall: Sep 6 to Sep 20
Sow outdoors: Feb 27 to Mar 20
Sow outdoors: Mar 6 to Apr 3Plant for fall: Sep 6 to Sep 20
Sow outdoors: Mar 6 to Mar 27Plant for fall: Sep 20 to Oct 11
Sow outdoors: Mar 27 to Apr 17Plant for fall: Aug 30 to Sep 13
Sow outdoors: Mar 27 to Apr 10
Transplant outside: Apr 3 to Apr 24
Plant for fall: Nov 1 to Dec 6
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Fair Play, SC
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Dec 26 – Jan 9 | Feb 20 – Mar 6 | — | — |
| Peppers | Jan 9 – Jan 23 | Apr 3 – Apr 17 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Jan 9 – Jan 23 | Apr 3 – Apr 17 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Jan 23 – Feb 6 | Mar 27 – Apr 10 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Jan 23 – Feb 6 | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | Feb 20 – Mar 27 | Sep 20 – Oct 18 |
| Kale | Jan 23 – Feb 6 | Feb 20 – Mar 6 | Feb 20 – Mar 6 | Sep 6 – Sep 27 |
| Broccoli | Jan 23 – Feb 6 | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | — | Aug 9 – Aug 30 |
| Cabbage | Jan 23 – Feb 6 | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | — | Aug 9 – Aug 30 |
| Cauliflower | Jan 23 – Feb 6 | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | — | Aug 9 – Aug 30 |
| Okra | Feb 6 – Feb 20 | Apr 10 – Apr 24 | Apr 10 – Apr 24 | — |
| Basil | Feb 6 – Feb 20 | Mar 27 – Apr 10 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Feb 6 – Feb 27 | Aug 23 – Sep 13 |
| Spinach | — | — | Feb 6 – Feb 27 | Sep 20 – Oct 11 |
| Radishes | — | — | Feb 13 – Mar 27 | Oct 4 – Oct 25 |
| Cucumbers | Feb 20 – Feb 27 | Apr 3 – Apr 10 | Mar 27 – Apr 10 | Aug 30 – Sep 13 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Feb 20 – Feb 27 | — | Mar 27 – Apr 10 | Sep 6 – Sep 20 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Feb 20 – Feb 27 | — | Mar 27 – Apr 10 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Feb 20 – Feb 27 | Apr 3 – Apr 17 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Feb 27 – Mar 27 | Aug 23 – Sep 6 |
| Beets | — | — | Feb 27 – Mar 27 | Sep 6 – Sep 20 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Feb 27 – Mar 20 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Mar 6 – Apr 3 | Sep 6 – Sep 20 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Mar 6 – Mar 27 | Sep 20 – Oct 11 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Mar 27 – Apr 17 | Aug 30 – Sep 13 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Mar 27 – Apr 10 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Apr 3 – Apr 24 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Nov 1 – Dec 6 |
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 Hartwell, GA weather station, 18 km away (elevation 804 ft (245 m)).
Frost dates near Fair Play
- Townville Mar 21 · Nov 11
- Seneca Mar 21 · Nov 11
- Sandy Springs Apr 5 · Oct 30
- Clemson Apr 1 · Nov 3
- La France Apr 5 · Oct 30
- Newry Mar 21 · Nov 11
- Westminster Apr 11 · Oct 30
- Anderson Mar 29 · Nov 8
- Pendleton Apr 5 · Oct 30
- West Union Apr 11 · Oct 30
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Fair Play, SC?
The median last spring frost in Fair Play, SC is March 20. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after April 6, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Fair Play, SC?
The median first fall frost is November 15, with about a 10% chance of frost before November 1.
How long is the growing season in Fair Play, SC?
About 240 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Fair Play, SC?
Fair Play, SC is in USDA hardiness zone 8a.