Frost dates for 29209 — Columbia, SC
Last spring frostMar 13median date
First fall frostNov 19median date
Growing season251 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone8bZone 8b
How Columbia compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Columbia falls between February 21 and March 31, a 38-day window. The first fall frost falls between November 5 and December 8.
- The median last frost is 12 days earlier than the South Carolina median of Mar 25.
- Its 251-day growing season is longer than 84% 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 33 nights a year at or below 32°F.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | February 21 |
| 50% (median) | March 13 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | March 31 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | November 5 |
| 50% (median) | November 19 |
| 90% (late) | December 8 |
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 Columbia, SC
Frost dates for 29209 — Columbia, SC — last frost Mar 13, first frost Nov 19, zone 8b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
JFMAMJJASOND
Start indoors: Dec 19 to Jan 2Start indoors: Dec 19 to Jan 2Transplant outside: Feb 13 to Feb 27
Start indoors: Jan 2 to Jan 16Transplant outside: Mar 27 to Apr 10
Start indoors: Jan 2 to Jan 16Transplant outside: Mar 27 to Apr 10
Start indoors: Jan 16 to Jan 30Transplant outside: Mar 20 to Apr 3
Start indoors: Jan 16 to Jan 30Transplant outside: Feb 20 to Mar 6Sow outdoors: Feb 13 to Mar 20Plant for fall: Sep 24 to Oct 22
Start indoors: Jan 16 to Jan 30Transplant outside: Feb 13 to Feb 27Sow outdoors: Feb 13 to Feb 27Plant for fall: Sep 10 to Oct 1
Start indoors: Jan 16 to Jan 30Transplant outside: Feb 27 to Mar 13Plant for fall: Aug 13 to Sep 3
Start indoors: Jan 16 to Jan 30Transplant outside: Feb 20 to Mar 6Plant for fall: Aug 13 to Sep 3
Start indoors: Jan 16 to Jan 30Transplant outside: Feb 27 to Mar 13Plant for fall: Aug 13 to Sep 3
Start indoors: Jan 30 to Feb 13Transplant outside: Apr 3 to Apr 17Sow outdoors: Apr 3 to Apr 17
Start indoors: Jan 30 to Feb 13Transplant outside: Mar 20 to Apr 3
Sow outdoors: Jan 30 to Feb 20Plant for fall: Aug 27 to Sep 17
Sow outdoors: Jan 30 to Feb 20Plant for fall: Sep 24 to Oct 15
Sow outdoors: Feb 6 to Mar 20Plant for fall: Oct 8 to Oct 29
Start indoors: Feb 13 to Feb 20Transplant outside: Mar 27 to Apr 3Sow outdoors: Mar 20 to Apr 3Plant for fall: Sep 3 to Sep 17
Start indoors: Feb 13 to Feb 20Sow outdoors: Mar 20 to Apr 3Plant for fall: Sep 10 to Sep 24
Start indoors: Feb 13 to Feb 20Sow outdoors: Mar 20 to Apr 3
Start indoors: Feb 13 to Feb 20Transplant outside: Mar 27 to Apr 10
Sow outdoors: Feb 20 to Mar 20Plant for fall: Aug 27 to Sep 10
Sow outdoors: Feb 20 to Mar 20Plant for fall: Sep 10 to Sep 24
Sow outdoors: Feb 20 to Mar 13
Sow outdoors: Feb 27 to Mar 27Plant for fall: Sep 10 to Sep 24
Sow outdoors: Feb 27 to Mar 20Plant for fall: Sep 24 to Oct 15
Sow outdoors: Mar 20 to Apr 10Plant for fall: Sep 3 to Sep 17
Sow outdoors: Mar 20 to Apr 3
Transplant outside: Mar 27 to Apr 17
Plant for fall: Nov 5 to Dec 10
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Columbia, SC
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Dec 19 – Jan 2 | Feb 13 – Feb 27 | — | — |
| Peppers | Jan 2 – Jan 16 | Mar 27 – Apr 10 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Jan 2 – Jan 16 | Mar 27 – Apr 10 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Jan 16 – Jan 30 | Mar 20 – Apr 3 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Jan 16 – Jan 30 | Feb 20 – Mar 6 | Feb 13 – Mar 20 | Sep 24 – Oct 22 |
| Kale | Jan 16 – Jan 30 | Feb 13 – Feb 27 | Feb 13 – Feb 27 | Sep 10 – Oct 1 |
| Broccoli | Jan 16 – Jan 30 | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | — | Aug 13 – Sep 3 |
| Cabbage | Jan 16 – Jan 30 | Feb 20 – Mar 6 | — | Aug 13 – Sep 3 |
| Cauliflower | Jan 16 – Jan 30 | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | — | Aug 13 – Sep 3 |
| Okra | Jan 30 – Feb 13 | Apr 3 – Apr 17 | Apr 3 – Apr 17 | — |
| Basil | Jan 30 – Feb 13 | Mar 20 – Apr 3 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Jan 30 – Feb 20 | Aug 27 – Sep 17 |
| Spinach | — | — | Jan 30 – Feb 20 | Sep 24 – Oct 15 |
| Radishes | — | — | Feb 6 – Mar 20 | Oct 8 – Oct 29 |
| Cucumbers | Feb 13 – Feb 20 | Mar 27 – Apr 3 | Mar 20 – Apr 3 | Sep 3 – Sep 17 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Feb 13 – Feb 20 | — | Mar 20 – Apr 3 | Sep 10 – Sep 24 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Feb 13 – Feb 20 | — | Mar 20 – Apr 3 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Feb 13 – Feb 20 | Mar 27 – Apr 10 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Feb 20 – Mar 20 | Aug 27 – Sep 10 |
| Beets | — | — | Feb 20 – Mar 20 | Sep 10 – Sep 24 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Feb 20 – Mar 13 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Feb 27 – Mar 27 | Sep 10 – Sep 24 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Feb 27 – Mar 20 | Sep 24 – Oct 15 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Mar 20 – Apr 10 | Sep 3 – Sep 17 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Mar 20 – Apr 3 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Mar 27 – Apr 17 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Nov 5 – Dec 10 |
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 Columbia Owens Dwtn Ap, SC weather station, 6 km away (elevation 213 ft (65 m)).
ZIP codes in Columbia: 29201 29202 29203 29204 29205 29206 29207 29208 29209 29210 29211 29212 29214 29215 29216 29217 29218 29219 29220 29221 29222 29223 29224 29225 29226 29227 29228 29229 29230 29240 29250 29260 29290 29292
Frost dates near Columbia
- Hopkins Mar 13 · Nov 19
- Cayce Mar 25 · Nov 7
- State Park Mar 22 · Nov 15
- West Columbia Mar 25 · Nov 7
- Gadsden Mar 21 · Nov 13
- Gaston Mar 25 · Nov 7
- Eastover Mar 21 · Nov 13
- Elgin Mar 22 · Nov 15
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Columbia, SC?
The median last spring frost in Columbia, SC is March 13. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after March 31, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Columbia, SC?
The median first fall frost is November 19, with about a 10% chance of frost before November 5.
How long is the growing season in Columbia, SC?
About 251 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Columbia, SC?
Columbia, SC is in USDA hardiness zone 8b.