Hilton Head Island, SC frost dates
Last spring frostMar 3median date
First fall frostDec 9median date
Growing season281 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone9bZone 9b
How Hilton Head Island compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Hilton Head Island falls between February 2 and March 20, a 46-day window. The first fall frost falls between November 21 and January 4.
- The median last frost is 22 days earlier than the South Carolina median of Mar 25.
- Its 281-day growing season is among the longest of the 375 South Carolina places with a regular frost season.
- The last frost is 11 days later than the zone 9b median of Feb 20. Hardiness zones measure winter cold, not season length, so use these dates rather than a zone 9b chart.
- The weather station records an average of 13 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Savannah, GA, 42 km away, the last frost here is 1 day later than there and the growing season is 8 days longer.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | February 2 |
| 50% (median) | March 3 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | March 20 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | November 21 |
| 50% (median) | December 9 |
| 90% (late) | January 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 Hilton Head Island, SC
Hilton Head Island, SC frost dates — last frost Mar 3, first frost Dec 9, zone 9b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
JFMAMJJASOND
Start indoors: Dec 9 to Dec 23Transplant outside: Feb 3 to Feb 17
Start indoors: Dec 23 to Jan 6Start indoors: Dec 23 to Jan 6Transplant outside: Mar 17 to Mar 31
Start indoors: Dec 23 to Jan 6Start indoors: Dec 23 to Jan 6Transplant outside: Mar 17 to Mar 31
Start indoors: Jan 6 to Jan 20Transplant outside: Mar 10 to Mar 24
Start indoors: Jan 6 to Jan 20Transplant outside: Feb 10 to Feb 24Sow outdoors: Feb 3 to Mar 10Plant for fall: Oct 14 to Nov 11
Start indoors: Jan 6 to Jan 20Transplant outside: Feb 3 to Feb 17Sow outdoors: Feb 3 to Feb 17Plant for fall: Sep 30 to Oct 21
Start indoors: Jan 6 to Jan 20Transplant outside: Feb 17 to Mar 3Plant for fall: Sep 2 to Sep 23
Start indoors: Jan 6 to Jan 20Transplant outside: Feb 10 to Feb 24Plant for fall: Sep 2 to Sep 23
Start indoors: Jan 6 to Jan 20Transplant outside: Feb 17 to Mar 3Plant for fall: Sep 2 to Sep 23
Start indoors: Jan 20 to Feb 3Transplant outside: Mar 24 to Apr 7Sow outdoors: Mar 24 to Apr 7
Start indoors: Jan 20 to Feb 3Transplant outside: Mar 10 to Mar 24
Sow outdoors: Jan 20 to Feb 10Plant for fall: Sep 16 to Oct 7
Sow outdoors: Jan 20 to Feb 10Plant for fall: Oct 14 to Nov 4
Sow outdoors: Jan 27 to Mar 10Plant for fall: Oct 28 to Nov 18
Start indoors: Feb 3 to Feb 10Transplant outside: Mar 17 to Mar 24Sow outdoors: Mar 10 to Mar 24Plant for fall: Sep 23 to Oct 7
Start indoors: Feb 3 to Feb 10Sow outdoors: Mar 10 to Mar 24Plant for fall: Sep 30 to Oct 14
Start indoors: Feb 3 to Feb 10Sow outdoors: Mar 10 to Mar 24
Start indoors: Feb 3 to Feb 10Transplant outside: Mar 17 to Mar 31
Sow outdoors: Feb 10 to Mar 10Plant for fall: Sep 16 to Sep 30
Sow outdoors: Feb 10 to Mar 10Plant for fall: Sep 30 to Oct 14
Sow outdoors: Feb 10 to Mar 3
Sow outdoors: Feb 17 to Mar 17Plant for fall: Sep 30 to Oct 14
Sow outdoors: Feb 17 to Mar 10Plant for fall: Oct 14 to Nov 4
Sow outdoors: Mar 10 to Mar 31Plant for fall: Sep 23 to Oct 7
Sow outdoors: Mar 10 to Mar 24
Transplant outside: Mar 17 to Apr 7
Plant for fall: Nov 25 to Dec 30
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Hilton Head Island, SC
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Dec 9 – Dec 23 | Feb 3 – Feb 17 | — | — |
| Peppers | Dec 23 – Jan 6 | Mar 17 – Mar 31 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Dec 23 – Jan 6 | Mar 17 – Mar 31 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Jan 6 – Jan 20 | Mar 10 – Mar 24 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Jan 6 – Jan 20 | Feb 10 – Feb 24 | Feb 3 – Mar 10 | Oct 14 – Nov 11 |
| Kale | Jan 6 – Jan 20 | Feb 3 – Feb 17 | Feb 3 – Feb 17 | Sep 30 – Oct 21 |
| Broccoli | Jan 6 – Jan 20 | Feb 17 – Mar 3 | — | Sep 2 – Sep 23 |
| Cabbage | Jan 6 – Jan 20 | Feb 10 – Feb 24 | — | Sep 2 – Sep 23 |
| Cauliflower | Jan 6 – Jan 20 | Feb 17 – Mar 3 | — | Sep 2 – Sep 23 |
| Okra | Jan 20 – Feb 3 | Mar 24 – Apr 7 | Mar 24 – Apr 7 | — |
| Basil | Jan 20 – Feb 3 | Mar 10 – Mar 24 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Jan 20 – Feb 10 | Sep 16 – Oct 7 |
| Spinach | — | — | Jan 20 – Feb 10 | Oct 14 – Nov 4 |
| Radishes | — | — | Jan 27 – Mar 10 | Oct 28 – Nov 18 |
| Cucumbers | Feb 3 – Feb 10 | Mar 17 – Mar 24 | Mar 10 – Mar 24 | Sep 23 – Oct 7 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Feb 3 – Feb 10 | — | Mar 10 – Mar 24 | Sep 30 – Oct 14 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Feb 3 – Feb 10 | — | Mar 10 – Mar 24 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Feb 3 – Feb 10 | Mar 17 – Mar 31 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Feb 10 – Mar 10 | Sep 16 – Sep 30 |
| Beets | — | — | Feb 10 – Mar 10 | Sep 30 – Oct 14 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Feb 10 – Mar 3 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Feb 17 – Mar 17 | Sep 30 – Oct 14 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Feb 17 – Mar 10 | Oct 14 – Nov 4 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Mar 10 – Mar 31 | Sep 23 – Oct 7 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Mar 10 – Mar 24 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Mar 17 – Apr 7 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Nov 25 – Dec 30 |
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 Beaufort Wwtp, SC weather station, 17 km away (elevation 26 ft (8 m)).
ZIP codes in Hilton Head Island: 29925 29926 29928 29938
Frost dates near Hilton Head Island
- Parris Island Mar 3 · Dec 9
- Bluffton Mar 3 · Dec 9
- Okatie Mar 3 · Dec 9
- Port Royal Mar 3 · Dec 9
- Daufuskie Island Mar 2 · Nov 30
- Beaufort Mar 3 · Dec 9
- Saint Helena Island Mar 3 · Dec 9
- Hardeeville Mar 2 · Nov 30
- Sheldon Feb 28 · Dec 3
- Lobeco Feb 28 · Dec 3
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Hilton Head Island, SC?
The median last spring frost in Hilton Head Island, SC is March 3. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after March 20, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Hilton Head Island, SC?
The median first fall frost is December 9, with about a 10% chance of frost before November 21.
How long is the growing season in Hilton Head Island, SC?
About 281 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Hilton Head Island, SC?
Hilton Head Island, SC is in USDA hardiness zone 9b.