Frost dates for 29423 — Charleston, SC
Last spring frostMar 13median date
First fall frostNov 30median date
Growing season262 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone9aZone 9a
How Charleston compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Charleston falls between February 19 and March 30, a 39-day window. The first fall frost falls between November 11 and December 24.
- The median last frost is 12 days earlier than the South Carolina median of Mar 25.
- Its 262-day growing season is longer than 88% of the 375 South Carolina places with a regular frost season (state median 228 days).
- The last frost is 10 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 18 nights a year at or below 32°F.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | February 19 |
| 50% (median) | March 13 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | March 30 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | November 11 |
| 50% (median) | November 30 |
| 90% (late) | December 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 Charleston, SC
Frost dates for 29423 — Charleston, SC — last frost Mar 13, first frost Nov 30, zone 9a. 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: Oct 5 to Nov 2
Start indoors: Jan 16 to Jan 30Transplant outside: Feb 13 to Feb 27Sow outdoors: Feb 13 to Feb 27Plant for fall: Sep 21 to Oct 12
Start indoors: Jan 16 to Jan 30Transplant outside: Feb 27 to Mar 13Plant for fall: Aug 24 to Sep 14
Start indoors: Jan 16 to Jan 30Transplant outside: Feb 20 to Mar 6Plant for fall: Aug 24 to Sep 14
Start indoors: Jan 16 to Jan 30Transplant outside: Feb 27 to Mar 13Plant for fall: Aug 24 to Sep 14
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: Sep 7 to Sep 28
Sow outdoors: Jan 30 to Feb 20Plant for fall: Oct 5 to Oct 26
Sow outdoors: Feb 6 to Mar 20Plant for fall: Oct 19 to Nov 9
Start indoors: Feb 13 to Feb 20Transplant outside: Mar 27 to Apr 3Sow outdoors: Mar 20 to Apr 3Plant for fall: Sep 14 to Sep 28
Start indoors: Feb 13 to Feb 20Sow outdoors: Mar 20 to Apr 3Plant for fall: Sep 21 to Oct 5
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: Sep 7 to Sep 21
Sow outdoors: Feb 20 to Mar 20Plant for fall: Sep 21 to Oct 5
Sow outdoors: Feb 20 to Mar 13
Sow outdoors: Feb 27 to Mar 27Plant for fall: Sep 21 to Oct 5
Sow outdoors: Feb 27 to Mar 20Plant for fall: Oct 5 to Oct 26
Sow outdoors: Mar 20 to Apr 10Plant for fall: Sep 14 to Sep 28
Sow outdoors: Mar 20 to Apr 3
Transplant outside: Mar 27 to Apr 17
Plant for fall: Nov 16 to Dec 21
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 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 | Oct 5 – Nov 2 |
| Kale | Jan 16 – Jan 30 | Feb 13 – Feb 27 | Feb 13 – Feb 27 | Sep 21 – Oct 12 |
| Broccoli | Jan 16 – Jan 30 | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | — | Aug 24 – Sep 14 |
| Cabbage | Jan 16 – Jan 30 | Feb 20 – Mar 6 | — | Aug 24 – Sep 14 |
| Cauliflower | Jan 16 – Jan 30 | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | — | Aug 24 – Sep 14 |
| 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 | Sep 7 – Sep 28 |
| Spinach | — | — | Jan 30 – Feb 20 | Oct 5 – Oct 26 |
| Radishes | — | — | Feb 6 – Mar 20 | Oct 19 – Nov 9 |
| Cucumbers | Feb 13 – Feb 20 | Mar 27 – Apr 3 | Mar 20 – Apr 3 | Sep 14 – Sep 28 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Feb 13 – Feb 20 | — | Mar 20 – Apr 3 | Sep 21 – Oct 5 |
| 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 | Sep 7 – Sep 21 |
| Beets | — | — | Feb 20 – Mar 20 | Sep 21 – Oct 5 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Feb 20 – Mar 13 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Feb 27 – Mar 27 | Sep 21 – Oct 5 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Feb 27 – Mar 20 | Oct 5 – Oct 26 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Mar 20 – Apr 10 | Sep 14 – Sep 28 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Mar 20 – Apr 3 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Mar 27 – Apr 17 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Nov 16 – Dec 21 |
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 Sullivans Is, SC weather station, 10 km away (elevation 7 ft (2 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
- Mount Pleasant Mar 13 · Nov 30
- Sullivans Island Mar 13 · Nov 30
- Isle Of Palms Mar 13 · Nov 30
- North Charleston Mar 7 · Nov 27
- Hanahan Mar 7 · Nov 27
- Charleston Afb Mar 7 · Nov 27
- Folly Beach Mar 13 · Nov 30
- Huger Mar 22 · Nov 13
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Charleston, SC?
The median last spring frost in Charleston, SC is March 13. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after March 30, 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 30, with about a 10% chance of frost before November 11.
How long is the growing season in Charleston, SC?
About 262 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.