Frost dates for 29228 — Columbia, SC
Last spring frostMar 25median date
First fall frostNov 7median date
Growing season227 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone8bZone 8b
How Columbia compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Columbia falls between March 4 and April 10, a 37-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 26 and November 24.
- The median last frost is the same as the South Carolina median of Mar 25.
- Its 227-day growing season is longer than 43% of the 375 South Carolina places with a regular frost season (state median 228 days).
- The last frost is 9 days later than the zone 8b median of Mar 16. Hardiness zones measure winter cold, not season length, so use these dates rather than a zone 8b chart.
- The weather station records an average of 47 nights a year at or below 32°F.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | March 4 |
| 50% (median) | March 25 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | April 10 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 26 |
| 50% (median) | November 7 |
| 90% (late) | November 24 |
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 29228 — Columbia, SC — last frost Mar 25, first frost Nov 7, zone 8b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
JFMAMJJASOND
Start indoors: Dec 31 to Jan 14Start indoors: Dec 31 to Jan 14Transplant outside: Feb 25 to Mar 11
Start indoors: Jan 14 to Jan 28Transplant outside: Apr 8 to Apr 22
Start indoors: Jan 14 to Jan 28Transplant outside: Apr 8 to Apr 22
Start indoors: Jan 28 to Feb 11Transplant outside: Apr 1 to Apr 15
Start indoors: Jan 28 to Feb 11Transplant outside: Mar 4 to Mar 18Sow outdoors: Feb 25 to Apr 1Plant for fall: Sep 12 to Oct 10
Start indoors: Jan 28 to Feb 11Transplant outside: Feb 25 to Mar 11Sow outdoors: Feb 25 to Mar 11Plant for fall: Aug 29 to Sep 19
Start indoors: Jan 28 to Feb 11Transplant outside: Mar 11 to Mar 25Plant for fall: Aug 1 to Aug 22
Start indoors: Jan 28 to Feb 11Transplant outside: Mar 4 to Mar 18Plant for fall: Aug 1 to Aug 22
Start indoors: Jan 28 to Feb 11Transplant outside: Mar 11 to Mar 25Plant for fall: Aug 1 to Aug 22
Start indoors: Feb 11 to Feb 25Transplant outside: Apr 15 to Apr 29Sow outdoors: Apr 15 to Apr 29
Start indoors: Feb 11 to Feb 25Transplant outside: Apr 1 to Apr 15
Sow outdoors: Feb 11 to Mar 4Plant for fall: Aug 15 to Sep 5
Sow outdoors: Feb 11 to Mar 4Plant for fall: Sep 12 to Oct 3
Sow outdoors: Feb 18 to Apr 1Plant for fall: Sep 26 to Oct 17
Start indoors: Feb 25 to Mar 4Transplant outside: Apr 8 to Apr 15Sow outdoors: Apr 1 to Apr 15Plant for fall: Aug 22 to Sep 5
Start indoors: Feb 25 to Mar 4Sow outdoors: Apr 1 to Apr 15Plant for fall: Aug 29 to Sep 12
Start indoors: Feb 25 to Mar 4Sow outdoors: Apr 1 to Apr 15
Start indoors: Feb 25 to Mar 4Transplant outside: Apr 8 to Apr 22
Sow outdoors: Mar 4 to Apr 1Plant for fall: Aug 15 to Aug 29
Sow outdoors: Mar 4 to Apr 1Plant for fall: Aug 29 to Sep 12
Sow outdoors: Mar 4 to Mar 25
Sow outdoors: Mar 11 to Apr 8Plant for fall: Aug 29 to Sep 12
Sow outdoors: Mar 11 to Apr 1Plant for fall: Sep 12 to Oct 3
Sow outdoors: Apr 1 to Apr 22Plant for fall: Aug 22 to Sep 5
Sow outdoors: Apr 1 to Apr 15
Transplant outside: Apr 8 to Apr 29
Plant for fall: Oct 24 to Nov 28
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 31 – Jan 14 | Feb 25 – Mar 11 | — | — |
| Peppers | Jan 14 – Jan 28 | Apr 8 – Apr 22 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Jan 14 – Jan 28 | Apr 8 – Apr 22 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Jan 28 – Feb 11 | Apr 1 – Apr 15 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Jan 28 – Feb 11 | Mar 4 – Mar 18 | Feb 25 – Apr 1 | Sep 12 – Oct 10 |
| Kale | Jan 28 – Feb 11 | Feb 25 – Mar 11 | Feb 25 – Mar 11 | Aug 29 – Sep 19 |
| Broccoli | Jan 28 – Feb 11 | Mar 11 – Mar 25 | — | Aug 1 – Aug 22 |
| Cabbage | Jan 28 – Feb 11 | Mar 4 – Mar 18 | — | Aug 1 – Aug 22 |
| Cauliflower | Jan 28 – Feb 11 | Mar 11 – Mar 25 | — | Aug 1 – Aug 22 |
| Okra | Feb 11 – Feb 25 | Apr 15 – Apr 29 | Apr 15 – Apr 29 | — |
| Basil | Feb 11 – Feb 25 | Apr 1 – Apr 15 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Feb 11 – Mar 4 | Aug 15 – Sep 5 |
| Spinach | — | — | Feb 11 – Mar 4 | Sep 12 – Oct 3 |
| Radishes | — | — | Feb 18 – Apr 1 | Sep 26 – Oct 17 |
| Cucumbers | Feb 25 – Mar 4 | Apr 8 – Apr 15 | Apr 1 – Apr 15 | Aug 22 – Sep 5 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Feb 25 – Mar 4 | — | Apr 1 – Apr 15 | Aug 29 – Sep 12 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Feb 25 – Mar 4 | — | Apr 1 – Apr 15 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Feb 25 – Mar 4 | Apr 8 – Apr 22 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Mar 4 – Apr 1 | Aug 15 – Aug 29 |
| Beets | — | — | Mar 4 – Apr 1 | Aug 29 – Sep 12 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Mar 4 – Mar 25 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Mar 11 – Apr 8 | Aug 29 – Sep 12 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Mar 11 – Apr 1 | Sep 12 – Oct 3 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Apr 1 – Apr 22 | Aug 22 – Sep 5 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Apr 1 – Apr 15 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Apr 8 – Apr 29 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 24 – Nov 28 |
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, SC weather station, 12 km away (elevation 230 ft (70 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
- Lexington Mar 25 · Nov 7
- West Columbia Mar 25 · Nov 7
- Gilbert Mar 20 · Nov 18
- Gaston Mar 25 · Nov 7
- Pelion Mar 28 · Nov 4
- Cayce Mar 25 · Nov 7
- Leesville Mar 20 · Nov 18
- Irmo 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 25. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after April 10, 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 7, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 26.
How long is the growing season in Columbia, SC?
About 227 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.