Frost dates for 29414 — Charleston, SC
Last spring frostMar 7median date
First fall frostNov 27median date
Growing season265 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone9aZone 9a
How Charleston compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Charleston falls between February 12 and March 27, a 43-day window. The first fall frost falls between November 8 and December 21.
- The median last frost is 18 days earlier than the South Carolina median of Mar 25.
- Its 265-day growing season is longer than 89% of the 375 South Carolina places with a regular frost season (state median 228 days).
- The last frost is 4 days later than the zone 9a median of Mar 3. Hardiness zones measure winter cold, not season length, so use these dates rather than a zone 9a chart.
- The weather station records an average of 22 nights a year at or below 32°F.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | February 12 |
| 50% (median) | March 7 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | March 27 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | November 8 |
| 50% (median) | November 27 |
| 90% (late) | December 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 Charleston, SC
Frost dates for 29414 — Charleston, SC — last frost Mar 7, first frost Nov 27, zone 9a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Dec 13 to Dec 27Transplant outside: Feb 7 to Feb 21
Start indoors: Dec 27 to Jan 10Start indoors: Dec 27 to Jan 10Transplant outside: Mar 21 to Apr 4
Start indoors: Dec 27 to Jan 10Start indoors: Dec 27 to Jan 10Transplant outside: Mar 21 to Apr 4
Start indoors: Jan 10 to Jan 24Transplant outside: Mar 14 to Mar 28
Start indoors: Jan 10 to Jan 24Transplant outside: Feb 14 to Feb 28Sow outdoors: Feb 7 to Mar 14Plant for fall: Oct 2 to Oct 30
Start indoors: Jan 10 to Jan 24Transplant outside: Feb 7 to Feb 21Sow outdoors: Feb 7 to Feb 21Plant for fall: Sep 18 to Oct 9
Start indoors: Jan 10 to Jan 24Transplant outside: Feb 21 to Mar 7Plant for fall: Aug 21 to Sep 11
Start indoors: Jan 10 to Jan 24Transplant outside: Feb 14 to Feb 28Plant for fall: Aug 21 to Sep 11
Start indoors: Jan 10 to Jan 24Transplant outside: Feb 21 to Mar 7Plant for fall: Aug 21 to Sep 11
Start indoors: Jan 24 to Feb 7Transplant outside: Mar 28 to Apr 11Sow outdoors: Mar 28 to Apr 11
Start indoors: Jan 24 to Feb 7Transplant outside: Mar 14 to Mar 28
Sow outdoors: Jan 24 to Feb 14Plant for fall: Sep 4 to Sep 25
Sow outdoors: Jan 24 to Feb 14Plant for fall: Oct 2 to Oct 23
Sow outdoors: Jan 31 to Mar 14Plant for fall: Oct 16 to Nov 6
Start indoors: Feb 7 to Feb 14Transplant outside: Mar 21 to Mar 28Sow outdoors: Mar 14 to Mar 28Plant for fall: Sep 11 to Sep 25
Start indoors: Feb 7 to Feb 14Sow outdoors: Mar 14 to Mar 28Plant for fall: Sep 18 to Oct 2
Start indoors: Feb 7 to Feb 14Sow outdoors: Mar 14 to Mar 28
Start indoors: Feb 7 to Feb 14Transplant outside: Mar 21 to Apr 4
Sow outdoors: Feb 14 to Mar 14Plant for fall: Sep 4 to Sep 18
Sow outdoors: Feb 14 to Mar 14Plant for fall: Sep 18 to Oct 2
Sow outdoors: Feb 14 to Mar 7
Sow outdoors: Feb 21 to Mar 21Plant for fall: Sep 18 to Oct 2
Sow outdoors: Feb 21 to Mar 14Plant for fall: Oct 2 to Oct 23
Sow outdoors: Mar 14 to Apr 4Plant for fall: Sep 11 to Sep 25
Sow outdoors: Mar 14 to Mar 28
Transplant outside: Mar 21 to Apr 11
Plant for fall: Nov 13 to Dec 18
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Charleston, SC
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Dec 13 – Dec 27 | Feb 7 – Feb 21 | — | — |
| Peppers | Dec 27 – Jan 10 | Mar 21 – Apr 4 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Dec 27 – Jan 10 | Mar 21 – Apr 4 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Jan 10 – Jan 24 | Mar 14 – Mar 28 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Jan 10 – Jan 24 | Feb 14 – Feb 28 | Feb 7 – Mar 14 | Oct 2 – Oct 30 |
| Kale | Jan 10 – Jan 24 | Feb 7 – Feb 21 | Feb 7 – Feb 21 | Sep 18 – Oct 9 |
| Broccoli | Jan 10 – Jan 24 | Feb 21 – Mar 7 | — | Aug 21 – Sep 11 |
| Cabbage | Jan 10 – Jan 24 | Feb 14 – Feb 28 | — | Aug 21 – Sep 11 |
| Cauliflower | Jan 10 – Jan 24 | Feb 21 – Mar 7 | — | Aug 21 – Sep 11 |
| Okra | Jan 24 – Feb 7 | Mar 28 – Apr 11 | Mar 28 – Apr 11 | — |
| Basil | Jan 24 – Feb 7 | Mar 14 – Mar 28 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Jan 24 – Feb 14 | Sep 4 – Sep 25 |
| Spinach | — | — | Jan 24 – Feb 14 | Oct 2 – Oct 23 |
| Radishes | — | — | Jan 31 – Mar 14 | Oct 16 – Nov 6 |
| Cucumbers | Feb 7 – Feb 14 | Mar 21 – Mar 28 | Mar 14 – Mar 28 | Sep 11 – Sep 25 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Feb 7 – Feb 14 | — | Mar 14 – Mar 28 | Sep 18 – Oct 2 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Feb 7 – Feb 14 | — | Mar 14 – Mar 28 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Feb 7 – Feb 14 | Mar 21 – Apr 4 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Feb 14 – Mar 14 | Sep 4 – Sep 18 |
| Beets | — | — | Feb 14 – Mar 14 | Sep 18 – Oct 2 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Feb 14 – Mar 7 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Feb 21 – Mar 21 | Sep 18 – Oct 2 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Feb 21 – Mar 14 | Oct 2 – Oct 23 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Mar 14 – Apr 4 | Sep 11 – Sep 25 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Mar 14 – Mar 28 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Mar 21 – Apr 11 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Nov 13 – Dec 18 |
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 Charleston Intl Ap, SC weather station, 9 km away (elevation 39 ft (12 m)).
ZIP codes in Charleston: 29401 29402 29403 29406 29407 29409 29412 29413 29414 29416 29417 29422 29423 29424 29425 29492
Frost dates near Charleston
- Johns Island Mar 7 · Nov 27
- North Charleston Mar 7 · Nov 27
- Charleston Afb Mar 7 · Nov 27
- Hanahan Mar 7 · Nov 27
- Ravenel Mar 7 · Nov 27
- Ladson Mar 22 · Nov 12
- Mount Pleasant Mar 13 · Nov 30
- Sullivans Island Mar 13 · Nov 30
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Charleston, SC?
The median last spring frost in Charleston, SC is March 7. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after March 27, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Charleston, SC?
The median first fall frost is November 27, with about a 10% chance of frost before November 8.
How long is the growing season in Charleston, SC?
About 265 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Charleston, SC?
Charleston, SC is in USDA hardiness zone 9a.