Ward, SC frost dates
Last spring frostMar 31median date
First fall frostNov 4median date
Growing season218 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone8aZone 8a
How Ward compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Ward falls between March 13 and April 15, a 33-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 21 and November 21.
- The median last frost is 6 days later than the South Carolina median of Mar 25.
- Its 218-day growing season is longer than 23% 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 Columbia, SC, 68 km away, the last frost here is 15 days later than there and the growing season is 27 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | March 13 |
| 50% (median) | March 31 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | April 15 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 21 |
| 50% (median) | November 4 |
| 90% (late) | November 21 |
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 Ward, SC
Ward, SC frost dates — last frost Mar 31, first frost Nov 4, zone 8a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Jan 6 to Jan 20Transplant outside: Mar 3 to Mar 17
Start indoors: Jan 20 to Feb 3Transplant outside: Apr 14 to Apr 28
Start indoors: Jan 20 to Feb 3Transplant outside: Apr 14 to Apr 28
Start indoors: Feb 3 to Feb 17Transplant outside: Apr 7 to Apr 21
Start indoors: Feb 3 to Feb 17Transplant outside: Mar 10 to Mar 24Sow outdoors: Mar 3 to Apr 7Plant for fall: Sep 9 to Oct 7
Start indoors: Feb 3 to Feb 17Transplant outside: Mar 3 to Mar 17Sow outdoors: Mar 3 to Mar 17Plant for fall: Aug 26 to Sep 16
Start indoors: Feb 3 to Feb 17Transplant outside: Mar 17 to Mar 31Plant for fall: Jul 29 to Aug 19
Start indoors: Feb 3 to Feb 17Transplant outside: Mar 10 to Mar 24Plant for fall: Jul 29 to Aug 19
Start indoors: Feb 3 to Feb 17Transplant outside: Mar 17 to Mar 31Plant for fall: Jul 29 to Aug 19
Start indoors: Feb 17 to Mar 3Transplant outside: Apr 21 to May 5Sow outdoors: Apr 21 to May 5
Start indoors: Feb 17 to Mar 3Transplant outside: Apr 7 to Apr 21
Sow outdoors: Feb 17 to Mar 10Plant for fall: Aug 12 to Sep 2
Sow outdoors: Feb 17 to Mar 10Plant for fall: Sep 9 to Sep 30
Sow outdoors: Feb 24 to Apr 7Plant for fall: Sep 23 to Oct 14
Start indoors: Mar 3 to Mar 10Transplant outside: Apr 14 to Apr 21Sow outdoors: Apr 7 to Apr 21Plant for fall: Aug 19 to Sep 2
Start indoors: Mar 3 to Mar 10Sow outdoors: Apr 7 to Apr 21Plant for fall: Aug 26 to Sep 9
Start indoors: Mar 3 to Mar 10Sow outdoors: Apr 7 to Apr 21
Start indoors: Mar 3 to Mar 10Transplant outside: Apr 14 to Apr 28
Sow outdoors: Mar 10 to Apr 7Plant for fall: Aug 12 to Aug 26
Sow outdoors: Mar 10 to Apr 7Plant for fall: Aug 26 to Sep 9
Sow outdoors: Mar 10 to Mar 31
Sow outdoors: Mar 17 to Apr 14Plant for fall: Aug 26 to Sep 9
Sow outdoors: Mar 17 to Apr 7Plant for fall: Sep 9 to Sep 30
Sow outdoors: Apr 7 to Apr 28Plant for fall: Aug 19 to Sep 2
Sow outdoors: Apr 7 to Apr 21
Transplant outside: Apr 14 to May 5
Plant for fall: Oct 21 to Nov 25
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Ward, SC
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Jan 6 – Jan 20 | Mar 3 – Mar 17 | — | — |
| Peppers | Jan 20 – Feb 3 | Apr 14 – Apr 28 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Jan 20 – Feb 3 | Apr 14 – Apr 28 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Feb 3 – Feb 17 | Apr 7 – Apr 21 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Feb 3 – Feb 17 | Mar 10 – Mar 24 | Mar 3 – Apr 7 | Sep 9 – Oct 7 |
| Kale | Feb 3 – Feb 17 | Mar 3 – Mar 17 | Mar 3 – Mar 17 | Aug 26 – Sep 16 |
| Broccoli | Feb 3 – Feb 17 | Mar 17 – Mar 31 | — | Jul 29 – Aug 19 |
| Cabbage | Feb 3 – Feb 17 | Mar 10 – Mar 24 | — | Jul 29 – Aug 19 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 3 – Feb 17 | Mar 17 – Mar 31 | — | Jul 29 – Aug 19 |
| Okra | Feb 17 – Mar 3 | Apr 21 – May 5 | Apr 21 – May 5 | — |
| Basil | Feb 17 – Mar 3 | Apr 7 – Apr 21 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Feb 17 – Mar 10 | Aug 12 – Sep 2 |
| Spinach | — | — | Feb 17 – Mar 10 | Sep 9 – Sep 30 |
| Radishes | — | — | Feb 24 – Apr 7 | Sep 23 – Oct 14 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 3 – Mar 10 | Apr 14 – Apr 21 | Apr 7 – Apr 21 | Aug 19 – Sep 2 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 3 – Mar 10 | — | Apr 7 – Apr 21 | Aug 26 – Sep 9 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Mar 3 – Mar 10 | — | Apr 7 – Apr 21 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Mar 3 – Mar 10 | Apr 14 – Apr 28 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Mar 10 – Apr 7 | Aug 12 – Aug 26 |
| Beets | — | — | Mar 10 – Apr 7 | Aug 26 – Sep 9 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Mar 10 – Mar 31 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Mar 17 – Apr 14 | Aug 26 – Sep 9 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Mar 17 – Apr 7 | Sep 9 – Sep 30 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Apr 7 – Apr 28 | Aug 19 – Sep 2 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Apr 7 – Apr 21 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Apr 14 – May 5 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 21 – Nov 25 |
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 Saluda, SC weather station, 13 km away (elevation 479 ft (146 m)).
Frost dates near Ward
- Ridge Spring Mar 20 · Nov 18
- Johnston Mar 26 · Nov 8
- Monetta Mar 20 · Nov 18
- Saluda Mar 31 · Nov 4
- Batesburg Mar 20 · Nov 18
- Edgefield Mar 16 · Nov 13
- Trenton Mar 26 · Nov 8
- Leesville Mar 20 · Nov 18
- Vaucluse Apr 9 · Nov 1
- Gilbert Mar 20 · Nov 18
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Ward, SC?
The median last spring frost in Ward, SC is March 31. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after April 15, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Ward, SC?
The median first fall frost is November 4, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 21.
How long is the growing season in Ward, SC?
About 218 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Ward, SC?
Ward, SC is in USDA hardiness zone 8a.