Ruby, SC frost dates
Last spring frostApr 1median date
First fall frostNov 3median date
Growing season216 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone8aZone 8a
How Ruby compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Ruby falls between March 16 and April 17, a 32-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 21 and November 17.
- The median last frost is 7 days later than the South Carolina median of Mar 25.
- Its 216-day growing season is longer than 19% of the 375 South Carolina places with a regular frost season (state median 228 days).
- The last frost is typical for zone 8a, where the median is Mar 29.
- The weather station records an average of 68 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Concord, NC, 79 km away, the last frost here is the same as there and the growing season is 1 day longer.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | March 16 |
| 50% (median) | April 1 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | April 17 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 21 |
| 50% (median) | November 3 |
| 90% (late) | November 17 |
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 Ruby, SC
Ruby, SC frost dates — last frost Apr 1, first frost Nov 3, zone 8a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
JFMAMJJASOND
Start indoors: Jan 7 to Jan 21Transplant outside: Mar 4 to Mar 18
Start indoors: Jan 21 to Feb 4Transplant outside: Apr 15 to Apr 29
Start indoors: Jan 21 to Feb 4Transplant outside: Apr 15 to Apr 29
Start indoors: Feb 4 to Feb 18Transplant outside: Apr 8 to Apr 22
Start indoors: Feb 4 to Feb 18Transplant outside: Mar 11 to Mar 25Sow outdoors: Mar 4 to Apr 8Plant for fall: Sep 8 to Oct 6
Start indoors: Feb 4 to Feb 18Transplant outside: Mar 4 to Mar 18Sow outdoors: Mar 4 to Mar 18Plant for fall: Aug 25 to Sep 15
Start indoors: Feb 4 to Feb 18Transplant outside: Mar 18 to Apr 1Plant for fall: Jul 28 to Aug 18
Start indoors: Feb 4 to Feb 18Transplant outside: Mar 11 to Mar 25Plant for fall: Jul 28 to Aug 18
Start indoors: Feb 4 to Feb 18Transplant outside: Mar 18 to Apr 1Plant for fall: Jul 28 to Aug 18
Start indoors: Feb 18 to Mar 4Transplant outside: Apr 22 to May 6Sow outdoors: Apr 22 to May 6
Start indoors: Feb 18 to Mar 4Transplant outside: Apr 8 to Apr 22
Sow outdoors: Feb 18 to Mar 11Plant for fall: Aug 11 to Sep 1
Sow outdoors: Feb 18 to Mar 11Plant for fall: Sep 8 to Sep 29
Sow outdoors: Feb 25 to Apr 8Plant for fall: Sep 22 to Oct 13
Start indoors: Mar 4 to Mar 11Transplant outside: Apr 15 to Apr 22Sow outdoors: Apr 8 to Apr 22Plant for fall: Aug 18 to Sep 1
Start indoors: Mar 4 to Mar 11Sow outdoors: Apr 8 to Apr 22Plant for fall: Aug 25 to Sep 8
Start indoors: Mar 4 to Mar 11Sow outdoors: Apr 8 to Apr 22
Start indoors: Mar 4 to Mar 11Transplant outside: Apr 15 to Apr 29
Sow outdoors: Mar 11 to Apr 8Plant for fall: Aug 11 to Aug 25
Sow outdoors: Mar 11 to Apr 8Plant for fall: Aug 25 to Sep 8
Sow outdoors: Mar 11 to Apr 1
Sow outdoors: Mar 18 to Apr 15Plant for fall: Aug 25 to Sep 8
Sow outdoors: Mar 18 to Apr 8Plant for fall: Sep 8 to Sep 29
Sow outdoors: Apr 8 to Apr 29Plant for fall: Aug 18 to Sep 1
Sow outdoors: Apr 8 to Apr 22
Transplant outside: Apr 15 to May 6
Plant for fall: Oct 20 to Nov 24
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Ruby, SC
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Jan 7 – Jan 21 | Mar 4 – Mar 18 | — | — |
| Peppers | Jan 21 – Feb 4 | Apr 15 – Apr 29 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Jan 21 – Feb 4 | Apr 15 – Apr 29 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Feb 4 – Feb 18 | Apr 8 – Apr 22 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Feb 4 – Feb 18 | Mar 11 – Mar 25 | Mar 4 – Apr 8 | Sep 8 – Oct 6 |
| Kale | Feb 4 – Feb 18 | Mar 4 – Mar 18 | Mar 4 – Mar 18 | Aug 25 – Sep 15 |
| Broccoli | Feb 4 – Feb 18 | Mar 18 – Apr 1 | — | Jul 28 – Aug 18 |
| Cabbage | Feb 4 – Feb 18 | Mar 11 – Mar 25 | — | Jul 28 – Aug 18 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 4 – Feb 18 | Mar 18 – Apr 1 | — | Jul 28 – Aug 18 |
| Okra | Feb 18 – Mar 4 | Apr 22 – May 6 | Apr 22 – May 6 | — |
| Basil | Feb 18 – Mar 4 | Apr 8 – Apr 22 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Feb 18 – Mar 11 | Aug 11 – Sep 1 |
| Spinach | — | — | Feb 18 – Mar 11 | Sep 8 – Sep 29 |
| Radishes | — | — | Feb 25 – Apr 8 | Sep 22 – Oct 13 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 4 – Mar 11 | Apr 15 – Apr 22 | Apr 8 – Apr 22 | Aug 18 – Sep 1 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 4 – Mar 11 | — | Apr 8 – Apr 22 | Aug 25 – Sep 8 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Mar 4 – Mar 11 | — | Apr 8 – Apr 22 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Mar 4 – Mar 11 | Apr 15 – Apr 29 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Mar 11 – Apr 8 | Aug 11 – Aug 25 |
| Beets | — | — | Mar 11 – Apr 8 | Aug 25 – Sep 8 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Mar 11 – Apr 1 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Mar 18 – Apr 15 | Aug 25 – Sep 8 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Mar 18 – Apr 8 | Sep 8 – Sep 29 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Apr 8 – Apr 29 | Aug 18 – Sep 1 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Apr 8 – Apr 22 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Apr 15 – May 6 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 20 – Nov 24 |
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 Chesterfield 3 E, SC weather station, 14 km away (elevation 207 ft (63 m)).
Frost dates near Ruby
- Mount Croghan Mar 27 · Nov 8
- Chesterfield Apr 1 · Nov 3
- Jefferson Mar 27 · Nov 8
- Pageland Mar 27 · Nov 8
- Patrick Mar 30 · Nov 6
- Cheraw Mar 26 · Nov 9
- Mc Bee Mar 30 · Nov 6
- Wallace Mar 26 · Nov 9
- Bethune Mar 29 · Nov 4
- Kershaw Mar 27 · Nov 8
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Ruby, SC?
The median last spring frost in Ruby, SC is April 1. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after April 17, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Ruby, SC?
The median first fall frost is November 3, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 21.
How long is the growing season in Ruby, SC?
About 216 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Ruby, SC?
Ruby, SC is in USDA hardiness zone 8a.