Frost dates for 29721 — Lancaster, SC
Last spring frostMar 27median date
First fall frostNov 5median date
Growing season223 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone8aZone 8a
How Lancaster compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Lancaster falls between March 10 and April 11, a 32-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 24 and November 23.
- The median last frost is 2 days later than the South Carolina median of Mar 25.
- Its 223-day growing season is longer than 32% 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 51 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Rock Hill, SC, 43 km away, the last frost here is 4 days earlier than there and the growing season is 5 days longer.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | March 10 |
| 50% (median) | March 27 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | April 11 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 24 |
| 50% (median) | November 5 |
| 90% (late) | November 23 |
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 29721 — Lancaster, SC — last frost Mar 27, first frost Nov 5, zone 8a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
JFMAMJJASOND
Start indoors: Jan 2 to Jan 16Transplant outside: Feb 27 to Mar 13
Start indoors: Jan 16 to Jan 30Transplant outside: Apr 10 to Apr 24
Start indoors: Jan 16 to Jan 30Transplant outside: Apr 10 to Apr 24
Start indoors: Jan 30 to Feb 13Transplant outside: Apr 3 to Apr 17
Start indoors: Jan 30 to Feb 13Transplant outside: Mar 6 to Mar 20Sow outdoors: Feb 27 to Apr 3Plant for fall: Sep 10 to Oct 8
Start indoors: Jan 30 to Feb 13Transplant outside: Feb 27 to Mar 13Sow outdoors: Feb 27 to Mar 13Plant for fall: Aug 27 to Sep 17
Start indoors: Jan 30 to Feb 13Transplant outside: Mar 13 to Mar 27Plant for fall: Jul 30 to Aug 20
Start indoors: Jan 30 to Feb 13Transplant outside: Mar 6 to Mar 20Plant for fall: Jul 30 to Aug 20
Start indoors: Jan 30 to Feb 13Transplant outside: Mar 13 to Mar 27Plant for fall: Jul 30 to Aug 20
Start indoors: Feb 13 to Feb 27Transplant outside: Apr 17 to May 1Sow outdoors: Apr 17 to May 1
Start indoors: Feb 13 to Feb 27Transplant outside: Apr 3 to Apr 17
Sow outdoors: Feb 13 to Mar 6Plant for fall: Aug 13 to Sep 3
Sow outdoors: Feb 13 to Mar 6Plant for fall: Sep 10 to Oct 1
Sow outdoors: Feb 20 to Apr 3Plant for fall: Sep 24 to Oct 15
Start indoors: Feb 27 to Mar 6Transplant outside: Apr 10 to Apr 17Sow outdoors: Apr 3 to Apr 17Plant for fall: Aug 20 to Sep 3
Start indoors: Feb 27 to Mar 6Sow outdoors: Apr 3 to Apr 17Plant for fall: Aug 27 to Sep 10
Start indoors: Feb 27 to Mar 6Sow outdoors: Apr 3 to Apr 17
Start indoors: Feb 27 to Mar 6Transplant outside: Apr 10 to Apr 24
Sow outdoors: Mar 6 to Apr 3Plant for fall: Aug 13 to Aug 27
Sow outdoors: Mar 6 to Apr 3Plant for fall: Aug 27 to Sep 10
Sow outdoors: Mar 6 to Mar 27
Sow outdoors: Mar 13 to Apr 10Plant for fall: Aug 27 to Sep 10
Sow outdoors: Mar 13 to Apr 3Plant for fall: Sep 10 to Oct 1
Sow outdoors: Apr 3 to Apr 24Plant for fall: Aug 20 to Sep 3
Sow outdoors: Apr 3 to Apr 17
Transplant outside: Apr 10 to May 1
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 2 – Jan 16 | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | — | — |
| Peppers | Jan 16 – Jan 30 | Apr 10 – Apr 24 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Jan 16 – Jan 30 | Apr 10 – Apr 24 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Jan 30 – Feb 13 | Apr 3 – Apr 17 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Jan 30 – Feb 13 | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | Feb 27 – Apr 3 | Sep 10 – Oct 8 |
| Kale | Jan 30 – Feb 13 | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | Feb 27 – Mar 13 | Aug 27 – Sep 17 |
| Broccoli | Jan 30 – Feb 13 | Mar 13 – Mar 27 | — | Jul 30 – Aug 20 |
| Cabbage | Jan 30 – Feb 13 | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | — | Jul 30 – Aug 20 |
| Cauliflower | Jan 30 – Feb 13 | Mar 13 – Mar 27 | — | Jul 30 – Aug 20 |
| Okra | Feb 13 – Feb 27 | Apr 17 – May 1 | Apr 17 – May 1 | — |
| Basil | Feb 13 – Feb 27 | Apr 3 – Apr 17 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Feb 13 – Mar 6 | Aug 13 – Sep 3 |
| Spinach | — | — | Feb 13 – Mar 6 | Sep 10 – Oct 1 |
| Radishes | — | — | Feb 20 – Apr 3 | Sep 24 – Oct 15 |
| Cucumbers | Feb 27 – Mar 6 | Apr 10 – Apr 17 | Apr 3 – Apr 17 | Aug 20 – Sep 3 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Feb 27 – Mar 6 | — | Apr 3 – Apr 17 | Aug 27 – Sep 10 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Feb 27 – Mar 6 | — | Apr 3 – Apr 17 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Feb 27 – Mar 6 | Apr 10 – Apr 24 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Mar 6 – Apr 3 | Aug 13 – Aug 27 |
| Beets | — | — | Mar 6 – Apr 3 | Aug 27 – Sep 10 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Mar 6 – Mar 27 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Mar 13 – Apr 10 | Aug 27 – Sep 10 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Mar 13 – Apr 3 | Sep 10 – Oct 1 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Apr 3 – Apr 24 | Aug 20 – Sep 3 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Apr 3 – Apr 17 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Apr 10 – May 1 | — | — |
| 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 Winthrop Univ, SC weather station, 35 km away (elevation 650 ft (198 m)).
ZIP codes in Lancaster: 29720 29721 29722
Frost dates near Lancaster
- Fort Lawn Apr 3 · Nov 2
- Heath Springs Mar 23 · Nov 14
- Great Falls Mar 31 · Nov 6
- Van Wyck Mar 27 · Nov 5
- Richburg Apr 3 · Nov 2
- Edgemoor Mar 27 · Nov 5
- Catawba Mar 27 · Nov 5
- Lando Mar 27 · Nov 5
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Lancaster, SC?
The median last spring frost in Lancaster, SC is March 27. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after April 11, 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 24.
How long is the growing season in Lancaster, SC?
About 223 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.