Frost dates for 29532 — Darlington, SC
Last spring frostMar 30median date
First fall frostNov 6median date
Growing season221 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone8bZone 8b
How Darlington compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Darlington falls between March 13 and April 13, a 31-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 26 and November 21.
- The median last frost is 5 days later than the South Carolina median of Mar 25.
- Its 221-day growing season is longer than 28% of the 375 South Carolina places with a regular frost season (state median 228 days).
- The last frost is 14 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 53 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Columbia, SC, 109 km away, the last frost here is 14 days later than there and the growing season is 24 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | March 13 |
| 50% (median) | March 30 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | April 13 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 26 |
| 50% (median) | November 6 |
| 90% (late) | November 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 Darlington, SC
Frost dates for 29532 — Darlington, SC — last frost Mar 30, first frost Nov 6, zone 8b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Jan 5 to Jan 19Transplant outside: Mar 2 to Mar 16
Start indoors: Jan 19 to Feb 2Transplant outside: Apr 13 to Apr 27
Start indoors: Jan 19 to Feb 2Transplant outside: Apr 13 to Apr 27
Start indoors: Feb 2 to Feb 16Transplant outside: Apr 6 to Apr 20
Start indoors: Feb 2 to Feb 16Transplant outside: Mar 9 to Mar 23Sow outdoors: Mar 2 to Apr 6Plant for fall: Sep 11 to Oct 9
Start indoors: Feb 2 to Feb 16Transplant outside: Mar 2 to Mar 16Sow outdoors: Mar 2 to Mar 16Plant for fall: Aug 28 to Sep 18
Start indoors: Feb 2 to Feb 16Transplant outside: Mar 16 to Mar 30Plant for fall: Jul 31 to Aug 21
Start indoors: Feb 2 to Feb 16Transplant outside: Mar 9 to Mar 23Plant for fall: Jul 31 to Aug 21
Start indoors: Feb 2 to Feb 16Transplant outside: Mar 16 to Mar 30Plant for fall: Jul 31 to Aug 21
Start indoors: Feb 16 to Mar 2Transplant outside: Apr 20 to May 4Sow outdoors: Apr 20 to May 4
Start indoors: Feb 16 to Mar 2Transplant outside: Apr 6 to Apr 20
Sow outdoors: Feb 16 to Mar 9Plant for fall: Aug 14 to Sep 4
Sow outdoors: Feb 16 to Mar 9Plant for fall: Sep 11 to Oct 2
Sow outdoors: Feb 23 to Apr 6Plant for fall: Sep 25 to Oct 16
Start indoors: Mar 2 to Mar 9Transplant outside: Apr 13 to Apr 20Sow outdoors: Apr 6 to Apr 20Plant for fall: Aug 21 to Sep 4
Start indoors: Mar 2 to Mar 9Sow outdoors: Apr 6 to Apr 20Plant for fall: Aug 28 to Sep 11
Start indoors: Mar 2 to Mar 9Sow outdoors: Apr 6 to Apr 20
Start indoors: Mar 2 to Mar 9Transplant outside: Apr 13 to Apr 27
Sow outdoors: Mar 9 to Apr 6Plant for fall: Aug 14 to Aug 28
Sow outdoors: Mar 9 to Apr 6Plant for fall: Aug 28 to Sep 11
Sow outdoors: Mar 9 to Mar 30
Sow outdoors: Mar 16 to Apr 13Plant for fall: Aug 28 to Sep 11
Sow outdoors: Mar 16 to Apr 6Plant for fall: Sep 11 to Oct 2
Sow outdoors: Apr 6 to Apr 27Plant for fall: Aug 21 to Sep 4
Sow outdoors: Apr 6 to Apr 20
Transplant outside: Apr 13 to May 4
Plant for fall: Oct 23 to Nov 27
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Darlington, SC
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Jan 5 – Jan 19 | Mar 2 – Mar 16 | — | — |
| Peppers | Jan 19 – Feb 2 | Apr 13 – Apr 27 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Jan 19 – Feb 2 | Apr 13 – Apr 27 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Feb 2 – Feb 16 | Apr 6 – Apr 20 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Feb 2 – Feb 16 | Mar 9 – Mar 23 | Mar 2 – Apr 6 | Sep 11 – Oct 9 |
| Kale | Feb 2 – Feb 16 | Mar 2 – Mar 16 | Mar 2 – Mar 16 | Aug 28 – Sep 18 |
| Broccoli | Feb 2 – Feb 16 | Mar 16 – Mar 30 | — | Jul 31 – Aug 21 |
| Cabbage | Feb 2 – Feb 16 | Mar 9 – Mar 23 | — | Jul 31 – Aug 21 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 2 – Feb 16 | Mar 16 – Mar 30 | — | Jul 31 – Aug 21 |
| Okra | Feb 16 – Mar 2 | Apr 20 – May 4 | Apr 20 – May 4 | — |
| Basil | Feb 16 – Mar 2 | Apr 6 – Apr 20 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Feb 16 – Mar 9 | Aug 14 – Sep 4 |
| Spinach | — | — | Feb 16 – Mar 9 | Sep 11 – Oct 2 |
| Radishes | — | — | Feb 23 – Apr 6 | Sep 25 – Oct 16 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 2 – Mar 9 | Apr 13 – Apr 20 | Apr 6 – Apr 20 | Aug 21 – Sep 4 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 2 – Mar 9 | — | Apr 6 – Apr 20 | Aug 28 – Sep 11 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Mar 2 – Mar 9 | — | Apr 6 – Apr 20 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Mar 2 – Mar 9 | Apr 13 – Apr 27 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Mar 9 – Apr 6 | Aug 14 – Aug 28 |
| Beets | — | — | Mar 9 – Apr 6 | Aug 28 – Sep 11 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Mar 9 – Mar 30 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Mar 16 – Apr 13 | Aug 28 – Sep 11 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Mar 16 – Apr 6 | Sep 11 – Oct 2 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Apr 6 – Apr 27 | Aug 21 – Sep 4 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Apr 6 – Apr 20 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Apr 13 – May 4 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 23 – Nov 27 |
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 Darlington, SC weather station, about 1 km away (elevation 151 ft (46 m)).
ZIP codes in Darlington: 29532 29540
Frost dates near Darlington
- Society Hill Mar 30 · Nov 6
- Lydia Mar 30 · Nov 6
- Timmonsville Mar 19 · Nov 15
- Hartsville Mar 30 · Nov 6
- Florence Mar 19 · Nov 13
- Effingham Mar 19 · Nov 13
- Lamar Mar 19 · Nov 15
- Blenheim Mar 26 · Nov 8
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Darlington, SC?
The median last spring frost in Darlington, SC is March 30. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after April 13, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Darlington, SC?
The median first fall frost is November 6, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 26.
How long is the growing season in Darlington, SC?
About 221 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Darlington, SC?
Darlington, SC is in USDA hardiness zone 8b.