Salem, SC frost dates
Last spring frostApr 26median date
First fall frostOct 17median date
Growing season174 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone8aZone 8a
How Salem compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Salem falls between April 11 and May 12, a 31-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 5 and November 1.
- The median last frost is 32 days later than the South Carolina median of Mar 25.
- Its 174-day growing season is among the shortest of the 375 South Carolina places with a regular frost season.
- The last frost is 28 days later 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 114 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Greenville, SC, 50 km away, the last frost here is 29 days later than there and the growing season is 50 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | April 11 |
| 50% (median) | April 26 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | May 12 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 5 |
| 50% (median) | October 17 |
| 90% (late) | November 1 |
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 Salem, SC
Salem, SC frost dates — last frost Apr 26, first frost Oct 17, zone 8a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Feb 1 to Feb 15Transplant outside: Mar 29 to Apr 12
Start indoors: Feb 15 to Mar 1Transplant outside: May 10 to May 24
Start indoors: Feb 15 to Mar 1Transplant outside: May 10 to May 24
Start indoors: Mar 1 to Mar 15Transplant outside: May 3 to May 17
Start indoors: Mar 1 to Mar 15Transplant outside: Apr 5 to Apr 19Sow outdoors: Mar 29 to May 3Plant for fall: Aug 22 to Sep 19
Start indoors: Mar 1 to Mar 15Transplant outside: Mar 29 to Apr 12Sow outdoors: Mar 29 to Apr 12Plant for fall: Aug 8 to Aug 29
Start indoors: Mar 1 to Mar 15Transplant outside: Apr 12 to Apr 26Plant for fall: Jul 11 to Aug 1
Start indoors: Mar 1 to Mar 15Transplant outside: Apr 5 to Apr 19Plant for fall: Jul 11 to Aug 1
Start indoors: Mar 1 to Mar 15Transplant outside: Apr 12 to Apr 26Plant for fall: Jul 11 to Aug 1
Start indoors: Mar 15 to Mar 29Transplant outside: May 17 to May 31Sow outdoors: May 17 to May 31
Start indoors: Mar 15 to Mar 29Transplant outside: May 3 to May 17
Sow outdoors: Mar 15 to Apr 5Plant for fall: Jul 25 to Aug 15
Sow outdoors: Mar 15 to Apr 5Plant for fall: Aug 22 to Sep 12
Sow outdoors: Mar 22 to May 3Plant for fall: Sep 5 to Sep 26
Start indoors: Mar 29 to Apr 5Transplant outside: May 10 to May 17Sow outdoors: May 3 to May 17Plant for fall: Aug 1 to Aug 15
Start indoors: Mar 29 to Apr 5Sow outdoors: May 3 to May 17Plant for fall: Aug 8 to Aug 22
Start indoors: Mar 29 to Apr 5Sow outdoors: May 3 to May 17
Start indoors: Mar 29 to Apr 5Transplant outside: May 10 to May 24
Sow outdoors: Apr 5 to May 3Plant for fall: Jul 25 to Aug 8
Sow outdoors: Apr 5 to May 3Plant for fall: Aug 8 to Aug 22
Sow outdoors: Apr 5 to Apr 26
Sow outdoors: Apr 12 to May 10Plant for fall: Aug 8 to Aug 22
Sow outdoors: Apr 12 to May 3Plant for fall: Aug 22 to Sep 12
Sow outdoors: May 3 to May 24Plant for fall: Aug 1 to Aug 15
Sow outdoors: May 3 to May 17
Transplant outside: May 10 to May 31
Plant for fall: Oct 3 to Nov 7
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Salem, SC
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Feb 1 – Feb 15 | Mar 29 – Apr 12 | — | — |
| Peppers | Feb 15 – Mar 1 | May 10 – May 24 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Feb 15 – Mar 1 | May 10 – May 24 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Mar 1 – Mar 15 | May 3 – May 17 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Mar 1 – Mar 15 | Apr 5 – Apr 19 | Mar 29 – May 3 | Aug 22 – Sep 19 |
| Kale | Mar 1 – Mar 15 | Mar 29 – Apr 12 | Mar 29 – Apr 12 | Aug 8 – Aug 29 |
| Broccoli | Mar 1 – Mar 15 | Apr 12 – Apr 26 | — | Jul 11 – Aug 1 |
| Cabbage | Mar 1 – Mar 15 | Apr 5 – Apr 19 | — | Jul 11 – Aug 1 |
| Cauliflower | Mar 1 – Mar 15 | Apr 12 – Apr 26 | — | Jul 11 – Aug 1 |
| Okra | Mar 15 – Mar 29 | May 17 – May 31 | May 17 – May 31 | — |
| Basil | Mar 15 – Mar 29 | May 3 – May 17 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Mar 15 – Apr 5 | Jul 25 – Aug 15 |
| Spinach | — | — | Mar 15 – Apr 5 | Aug 22 – Sep 12 |
| Radishes | — | — | Mar 22 – May 3 | Sep 5 – Sep 26 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 29 – Apr 5 | May 10 – May 17 | May 3 – May 17 | Aug 1 – Aug 15 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 29 – Apr 5 | — | May 3 – May 17 | Aug 8 – Aug 22 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Mar 29 – Apr 5 | — | May 3 – May 17 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Mar 29 – Apr 5 | May 10 – May 24 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Apr 5 – May 3 | Jul 25 – Aug 8 |
| Beets | — | — | Apr 5 – May 3 | Aug 8 – Aug 22 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Apr 5 – Apr 26 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Apr 12 – May 10 | Aug 8 – Aug 22 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Apr 12 – May 3 | Aug 22 – Sep 12 |
| Green Beans | — | — | May 3 – May 24 | Aug 1 – Aug 15 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | May 3 – May 17 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | May 10 – May 31 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 3 – Nov 7 |
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 Jocassee 8 Wnw, SC weather station, 16 km away (elevation 2,539 ft (774 m)).
Frost dates near Salem
- Tamassee Apr 26 · Oct 17
- Six Mile Apr 1 · Nov 3
- Mountain Rest Apr 11 · Oct 30
- Walhalla Apr 11 · Oct 30
- West Union Apr 11 · Oct 30
- Richland Apr 11 · Oct 30
- Newry Mar 21 · Nov 11
- Sunset Apr 9 · Nov 1
- Seneca Mar 21 · Nov 11
- Central Apr 1 · Nov 3
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Salem, SC?
The median last spring frost in Salem, SC is April 26. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after May 12, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Salem, SC?
The median first fall frost is October 17, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 5.
How long is the growing season in Salem, SC?
About 174 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Salem, SC?
Salem, SC is in USDA hardiness zone 8a.