Frost dates for 29216 — Columbia, SC
Last spring frostMar 16median date
First fall frostNov 16median date
Growing season245 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone8bZone 8b
How Columbia compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Columbia falls between February 24 and April 3, a 38-day window. The first fall frost falls between November 2 and December 6.
- The median last frost is 9 days earlier than the South Carolina median of Mar 25.
- Its 245-day growing season is longer than 80% 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 24 |
| 50% (median) | March 16 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | April 3 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | November 2 |
| 50% (median) | November 16 |
| 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 Columbia, SC
Frost dates for 29216 — Columbia, SC — last frost Mar 16, first frost Nov 16, zone 8b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
JFMAMJJASOND
Start indoors: Dec 22 to Jan 5Start indoors: Dec 22 to Jan 5Transplant outside: Feb 16 to Mar 2
Start indoors: Jan 5 to Jan 19Transplant outside: Mar 30 to Apr 13
Start indoors: Jan 5 to Jan 19Transplant outside: Mar 30 to Apr 13
Start indoors: Jan 19 to Feb 2Transplant outside: Mar 23 to Apr 6
Start indoors: Jan 19 to Feb 2Transplant outside: Feb 23 to Mar 9Sow outdoors: Feb 16 to Mar 23Plant for fall: Sep 21 to Oct 19
Start indoors: Jan 19 to Feb 2Transplant outside: Feb 16 to Mar 2Sow outdoors: Feb 16 to Mar 2Plant for fall: Sep 7 to Sep 28
Start indoors: Jan 19 to Feb 2Transplant outside: Mar 2 to Mar 16Plant for fall: Aug 10 to Aug 31
Start indoors: Jan 19 to Feb 2Transplant outside: Feb 23 to Mar 9Plant for fall: Aug 10 to Aug 31
Start indoors: Jan 19 to Feb 2Transplant outside: Mar 2 to Mar 16Plant for fall: Aug 10 to Aug 31
Start indoors: Feb 2 to Feb 16Transplant outside: Apr 6 to Apr 20Sow outdoors: Apr 6 to Apr 20
Start indoors: Feb 2 to Feb 16Transplant outside: Mar 23 to Apr 6
Sow outdoors: Feb 2 to Feb 23Plant for fall: Aug 24 to Sep 14
Sow outdoors: Feb 2 to Feb 23Plant for fall: Sep 21 to Oct 12
Sow outdoors: Feb 9 to Mar 23Plant for fall: Oct 5 to Oct 26
Start indoors: Feb 16 to Feb 23Transplant outside: Mar 30 to Apr 6Sow outdoors: Mar 23 to Apr 6Plant for fall: Aug 31 to Sep 14
Start indoors: Feb 16 to Feb 23Sow outdoors: Mar 23 to Apr 6Plant for fall: Sep 7 to Sep 21
Start indoors: Feb 16 to Feb 23Sow outdoors: Mar 23 to Apr 6
Start indoors: Feb 16 to Feb 23Transplant outside: Mar 30 to Apr 13
Sow outdoors: Feb 23 to Mar 23Plant for fall: Aug 24 to Sep 7
Sow outdoors: Feb 23 to Mar 23Plant for fall: Sep 7 to Sep 21
Sow outdoors: Feb 23 to Mar 16
Sow outdoors: Mar 2 to Mar 30Plant for fall: Sep 7 to Sep 21
Sow outdoors: Mar 2 to Mar 23Plant for fall: Sep 21 to Oct 12
Sow outdoors: Mar 23 to Apr 13Plant for fall: Aug 31 to Sep 14
Sow outdoors: Mar 23 to Apr 6
Transplant outside: Mar 30 to Apr 20
Plant for fall: Nov 2 to Dec 7
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 22 – Jan 5 | Feb 16 – Mar 2 | — | — |
| Peppers | Jan 5 – Jan 19 | Mar 30 – Apr 13 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Jan 5 – Jan 19 | Mar 30 – Apr 13 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Jan 19 – Feb 2 | Mar 23 – Apr 6 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Jan 19 – Feb 2 | Feb 23 – Mar 9 | Feb 16 – Mar 23 | Sep 21 – Oct 19 |
| Kale | Jan 19 – Feb 2 | Feb 16 – Mar 2 | Feb 16 – Mar 2 | Sep 7 – Sep 28 |
| Broccoli | Jan 19 – Feb 2 | Mar 2 – Mar 16 | — | Aug 10 – Aug 31 |
| Cabbage | Jan 19 – Feb 2 | Feb 23 – Mar 9 | — | Aug 10 – Aug 31 |
| Cauliflower | Jan 19 – Feb 2 | Mar 2 – Mar 16 | — | Aug 10 – Aug 31 |
| Okra | Feb 2 – Feb 16 | Apr 6 – Apr 20 | Apr 6 – Apr 20 | — |
| Basil | Feb 2 – Feb 16 | Mar 23 – Apr 6 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Feb 2 – Feb 23 | Aug 24 – Sep 14 |
| Spinach | — | — | Feb 2 – Feb 23 | Sep 21 – Oct 12 |
| Radishes | — | — | Feb 9 – Mar 23 | Oct 5 – Oct 26 |
| Cucumbers | Feb 16 – Feb 23 | Mar 30 – Apr 6 | Mar 23 – Apr 6 | Aug 31 – Sep 14 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Feb 16 – Feb 23 | — | Mar 23 – Apr 6 | Sep 7 – Sep 21 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Feb 16 – Feb 23 | — | Mar 23 – Apr 6 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Feb 16 – Feb 23 | Mar 30 – Apr 13 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Feb 23 – Mar 23 | Aug 24 – Sep 7 |
| Beets | — | — | Feb 23 – Mar 23 | Sep 7 – Sep 21 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Feb 23 – Mar 16 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Mar 2 – Mar 30 | Sep 7 – Sep 21 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Mar 2 – Mar 23 | Sep 21 – Oct 12 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Mar 23 – Apr 13 | Aug 31 – Sep 14 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Mar 23 – Apr 6 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Mar 30 – Apr 20 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Nov 2 – Dec 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 Columbia Univ Of Sc, SC weather station, about 1 km away (elevation 223 ft (68 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
- Cayce Mar 25 · Nov 7
- West Columbia Mar 25 · Nov 7
- State Park Mar 22 · Nov 15
- Hopkins Mar 13 · Nov 19
- Irmo Apr 10 · Oct 28
- Lexington Mar 25 · Nov 7
- Gaston Mar 25 · Nov 7
- Blythewood Apr 10 · Oct 28
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Columbia, SC?
The median last spring frost in Columbia, SC is March 16. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after April 3, 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 16, with about a 10% chance of frost before November 2.
How long is the growing season in Columbia, SC?
About 245 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.