Frost dates for 29720 — Lancaster, SC
Last spring frostMar 31median date
First fall frostNov 5median date
Growing season219 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone8aZone 8a
How Lancaster compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Lancaster falls between March 11 and April 16, a 36-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 23 and November 19.
- The median last frost is 6 days later than the South Carolina median of Mar 25.
- Its 219-day growing season is longer than 25% of the 375 South Carolina places with a regular frost season (state median 228 days).
- The last frost is typical for zone 8a, where the median is Mar 29.
- The weather station records an average of 57 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Rock Hill, SC, 41 km away, the last frost here is the same as there and the growing season is 1 day longer.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | March 11 |
| 50% (median) | March 31 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | April 16 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 23 |
| 50% (median) | November 5 |
| 90% (late) | November 19 |
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 Lancaster, SC
Frost dates for 29720 — Lancaster, SC — last frost Mar 31, first frost Nov 5, zone 8a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
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Start indoors: Jan 6 to Jan 20Transplant outside: Mar 3 to Mar 17
Start indoors: Jan 20 to Feb 3Transplant outside: Apr 14 to Apr 28
Start indoors: Jan 20 to Feb 3Transplant outside: Apr 14 to Apr 28
Start indoors: Feb 3 to Feb 17Transplant outside: Apr 7 to Apr 21
Start indoors: Feb 3 to Feb 17Transplant outside: Mar 10 to Mar 24Sow outdoors: Mar 3 to Apr 7Plant for fall: Sep 10 to Oct 8
Start indoors: Feb 3 to Feb 17Transplant outside: Mar 3 to Mar 17Sow outdoors: Mar 3 to Mar 17Plant for fall: Aug 27 to Sep 17
Start indoors: Feb 3 to Feb 17Transplant outside: Mar 17 to Mar 31Plant for fall: Jul 30 to Aug 20
Start indoors: Feb 3 to Feb 17Transplant outside: Mar 10 to Mar 24Plant for fall: Jul 30 to Aug 20
Start indoors: Feb 3 to Feb 17Transplant outside: Mar 17 to Mar 31Plant for fall: Jul 30 to Aug 20
Start indoors: Feb 17 to Mar 3Transplant outside: Apr 21 to May 5Sow outdoors: Apr 21 to May 5
Start indoors: Feb 17 to Mar 3Transplant outside: Apr 7 to Apr 21
Sow outdoors: Feb 17 to Mar 10Plant for fall: Aug 13 to Sep 3
Sow outdoors: Feb 17 to Mar 10Plant for fall: Sep 10 to Oct 1
Sow outdoors: Feb 24 to Apr 7Plant for fall: Sep 24 to Oct 15
Start indoors: Mar 3 to Mar 10Transplant outside: Apr 14 to Apr 21Sow outdoors: Apr 7 to Apr 21Plant for fall: Aug 20 to Sep 3
Start indoors: Mar 3 to Mar 10Sow outdoors: Apr 7 to Apr 21Plant for fall: Aug 27 to Sep 10
Start indoors: Mar 3 to Mar 10Sow outdoors: Apr 7 to Apr 21
Start indoors: Mar 3 to Mar 10Transplant outside: Apr 14 to Apr 28
Sow outdoors: Mar 10 to Apr 7Plant for fall: Aug 13 to Aug 27
Sow outdoors: Mar 10 to Apr 7Plant for fall: Aug 27 to Sep 10
Sow outdoors: Mar 10 to Mar 31
Sow outdoors: Mar 17 to Apr 14Plant for fall: Aug 27 to Sep 10
Sow outdoors: Mar 17 to Apr 7Plant for fall: Sep 10 to Oct 1
Sow outdoors: Apr 7 to Apr 28Plant for fall: Aug 20 to Sep 3
Sow outdoors: Apr 7 to Apr 21
Transplant outside: Apr 14 to May 5
Plant for fall: Oct 22 to Nov 26
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Lancaster, SC
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Jan 6 – Jan 20 | Mar 3 – Mar 17 | — | — |
| Peppers | Jan 20 – Feb 3 | Apr 14 – Apr 28 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Jan 20 – Feb 3 | Apr 14 – Apr 28 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Feb 3 – Feb 17 | Apr 7 – Apr 21 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Feb 3 – Feb 17 | Mar 10 – Mar 24 | Mar 3 – Apr 7 | Sep 10 – Oct 8 |
| Kale | Feb 3 – Feb 17 | Mar 3 – Mar 17 | Mar 3 – Mar 17 | Aug 27 – Sep 17 |
| Broccoli | Feb 3 – Feb 17 | Mar 17 – Mar 31 | — | Jul 30 – Aug 20 |
| Cabbage | Feb 3 – Feb 17 | Mar 10 – Mar 24 | — | Jul 30 – Aug 20 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 3 – Feb 17 | Mar 17 – Mar 31 | — | Jul 30 – Aug 20 |
| Okra | Feb 17 – Mar 3 | Apr 21 – May 5 | Apr 21 – May 5 | — |
| Basil | Feb 17 – Mar 3 | Apr 7 – Apr 21 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Feb 17 – Mar 10 | Aug 13 – Sep 3 |
| Spinach | — | — | Feb 17 – Mar 10 | Sep 10 – Oct 1 |
| Radishes | — | — | Feb 24 – Apr 7 | Sep 24 – Oct 15 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 3 – Mar 10 | Apr 14 – Apr 21 | Apr 7 – Apr 21 | Aug 20 – Sep 3 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 3 – Mar 10 | — | Apr 7 – Apr 21 | Aug 27 – Sep 10 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Mar 3 – Mar 10 | — | Apr 7 – Apr 21 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Mar 3 – Mar 10 | Apr 14 – Apr 28 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Mar 10 – Apr 7 | Aug 13 – Aug 27 |
| Beets | — | — | Mar 10 – Apr 7 | Aug 27 – Sep 10 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Mar 10 – Mar 31 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Mar 17 – Apr 14 | Aug 27 – Sep 10 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Mar 17 – Apr 7 | Sep 10 – Oct 1 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Apr 7 – Apr 28 | Aug 20 – Sep 3 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Apr 7 – Apr 21 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Apr 14 – May 5 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 22 – Nov 26 |
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 Monroe Ap, NC weather station, 32 km away (elevation 679 ft (207 m)).
ZIP codes in Lancaster: 29720 29721 29722
Frost dates near Lancaster
- Van Wyck Mar 27 · Nov 5
- Fort Lawn Apr 3 · Nov 2
- Heath Springs Mar 23 · Nov 14
- Catawba Mar 27 · Nov 5
- Edgemoor Mar 27 · Nov 5
- Richburg Apr 3 · Nov 2
- Lando Mar 27 · Nov 5
- Great Falls Mar 31 · Nov 6
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Lancaster, SC?
The median last spring frost in Lancaster, SC is March 31. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after April 16, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Lancaster, SC?
The median first fall frost is November 5, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 23.
How long is the growing season in Lancaster, SC?
About 219 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Lancaster, SC?
Lancaster, SC is in USDA hardiness zone 8a.