Lamar, SC frost dates
Last spring frostMar 19median date
First fall frostNov 15median date
Growing season241 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone8bZone 8b
How Lamar compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Lamar falls between February 28 and April 4, a 35-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 31 and December 6.
- The median last frost is 6 days earlier than the South Carolina median of Mar 25.
- Its 241-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 typical for zone 8b, where the median is Mar 16.
- The weather station records an average of 29 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Columbia, SC, 86 km away, the last frost here is 3 days later than there and the growing season is 4 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | February 28 |
| 50% (median) | March 19 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | April 4 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 31 |
| 50% (median) | November 15 |
| 90% (late) | December 6 |
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 Lamar, SC
Lamar, SC frost dates — last frost Mar 19, first frost Nov 15, zone 8b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
JFMAMJJASOND
Start indoors: Dec 25 to Jan 8Start indoors: Dec 25 to Jan 8Transplant outside: Feb 19 to Mar 5
Start indoors: Jan 8 to Jan 22Transplant outside: Apr 2 to Apr 16
Start indoors: Jan 8 to Jan 22Transplant outside: Apr 2 to Apr 16
Start indoors: Jan 22 to Feb 5Transplant outside: Mar 26 to Apr 9
Start indoors: Jan 22 to Feb 5Transplant outside: Feb 26 to Mar 12Sow outdoors: Feb 19 to Mar 26Plant for fall: Sep 20 to Oct 18
Start indoors: Jan 22 to Feb 5Transplant outside: Feb 19 to Mar 5Sow outdoors: Feb 19 to Mar 5Plant for fall: Sep 6 to Sep 27
Start indoors: Jan 22 to Feb 5Transplant outside: Mar 5 to Mar 19Plant for fall: Aug 9 to Aug 30
Start indoors: Jan 22 to Feb 5Transplant outside: Feb 26 to Mar 12Plant for fall: Aug 9 to Aug 30
Start indoors: Jan 22 to Feb 5Transplant outside: Mar 5 to Mar 19Plant for fall: Aug 9 to Aug 30
Start indoors: Feb 5 to Feb 19Transplant outside: Apr 9 to Apr 23Sow outdoors: Apr 9 to Apr 23
Start indoors: Feb 5 to Feb 19Transplant outside: Mar 26 to Apr 9
Sow outdoors: Feb 5 to Feb 26Plant for fall: Aug 23 to Sep 13
Sow outdoors: Feb 5 to Feb 26Plant for fall: Sep 20 to Oct 11
Sow outdoors: Feb 12 to Mar 26Plant for fall: Oct 4 to Oct 25
Start indoors: Feb 19 to Feb 26Transplant outside: Apr 2 to Apr 9Sow outdoors: Mar 26 to Apr 9Plant for fall: Aug 30 to Sep 13
Start indoors: Feb 19 to Feb 26Sow outdoors: Mar 26 to Apr 9Plant for fall: Sep 6 to Sep 20
Start indoors: Feb 19 to Feb 26Sow outdoors: Mar 26 to Apr 9
Start indoors: Feb 19 to Feb 26Transplant outside: Apr 2 to Apr 16
Sow outdoors: Feb 26 to Mar 26Plant for fall: Aug 23 to Sep 6
Sow outdoors: Feb 26 to Mar 26Plant for fall: Sep 6 to Sep 20
Sow outdoors: Feb 26 to Mar 19
Sow outdoors: Mar 5 to Apr 2Plant for fall: Sep 6 to Sep 20
Sow outdoors: Mar 5 to Mar 26Plant for fall: Sep 20 to Oct 11
Sow outdoors: Mar 26 to Apr 16Plant for fall: Aug 30 to Sep 13
Sow outdoors: Mar 26 to Apr 9
Transplant outside: Apr 2 to Apr 23
Plant for fall: Nov 1 to Dec 6
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Lamar, SC
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Dec 25 – Jan 8 | Feb 19 – Mar 5 | — | — |
| Peppers | Jan 8 – Jan 22 | Apr 2 – Apr 16 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Jan 8 – Jan 22 | Apr 2 – Apr 16 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Jan 22 – Feb 5 | Mar 26 – Apr 9 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Jan 22 – Feb 5 | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | Feb 19 – Mar 26 | Sep 20 – Oct 18 |
| Kale | Jan 22 – Feb 5 | Feb 19 – Mar 5 | Feb 19 – Mar 5 | Sep 6 – Sep 27 |
| Broccoli | Jan 22 – Feb 5 | Mar 5 – Mar 19 | — | Aug 9 – Aug 30 |
| Cabbage | Jan 22 – Feb 5 | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | — | Aug 9 – Aug 30 |
| Cauliflower | Jan 22 – Feb 5 | Mar 5 – Mar 19 | — | Aug 9 – Aug 30 |
| Okra | Feb 5 – Feb 19 | Apr 9 – Apr 23 | Apr 9 – Apr 23 | — |
| Basil | Feb 5 – Feb 19 | Mar 26 – Apr 9 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Feb 5 – Feb 26 | Aug 23 – Sep 13 |
| Spinach | — | — | Feb 5 – Feb 26 | Sep 20 – Oct 11 |
| Radishes | — | — | Feb 12 – Mar 26 | Oct 4 – Oct 25 |
| Cucumbers | Feb 19 – Feb 26 | Apr 2 – Apr 9 | Mar 26 – Apr 9 | Aug 30 – Sep 13 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Feb 19 – Feb 26 | — | Mar 26 – Apr 9 | Sep 6 – Sep 20 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Feb 19 – Feb 26 | — | Mar 26 – Apr 9 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Feb 19 – Feb 26 | Apr 2 – Apr 16 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Feb 26 – Mar 26 | Aug 23 – Sep 6 |
| Beets | — | — | Feb 26 – Mar 26 | Sep 6 – Sep 20 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Feb 26 – Mar 19 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Mar 5 – Apr 2 | Sep 6 – Sep 20 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Mar 5 – Mar 26 | Sep 20 – Oct 11 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Mar 26 – Apr 16 | Aug 30 – Sep 13 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Mar 26 – Apr 9 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Apr 2 – Apr 23 | — | — |
| 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 Elliott 0.8 Nw, SC weather station, 10 km away (elevation 174 ft (53 m)).
Frost dates near Lamar
- Elliott Mar 19 · Nov 15
- Lydia Mar 30 · Nov 6
- Lynchburg Mar 19 · Nov 15
- Bishopville Mar 29 · Nov 4
- Timmonsville Mar 19 · Nov 15
- Hartsville Mar 30 · Nov 6
- Darlington Mar 30 · Nov 6
- Mayesville Mar 24 · Nov 7
- Effingham Mar 19 · Nov 13
- Olanta Mar 27 · Nov 9
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Lamar, SC?
The median last spring frost in Lamar, SC is March 19. 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 Lamar, SC?
The median first fall frost is November 15, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 31.
How long is the growing season in Lamar, SC?
About 241 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Lamar, SC?
Lamar, SC is in USDA hardiness zone 8b.