Frost dates for 29803 — Aiken, SC
Last spring frostMar 21median date
First fall frostNov 7median date
Growing season231 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone8bZone 8b
How Aiken compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Aiken falls between March 2 and April 6, a 35-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 25 and November 24.
- The median last frost is 4 days earlier than the South Carolina median of Mar 25.
- Its 231-day growing season is longer than 53% of the 375 South Carolina places with a regular frost season (state median 228 days).
- The last frost is 5 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 51 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Columbia, SC, 85 km away, the last frost here is 5 days later than there and the growing season is 14 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | March 2 |
| 50% (median) | March 21 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | April 6 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 25 |
| 50% (median) | November 7 |
| 90% (late) | November 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 Aiken, SC
Frost dates for 29803 — Aiken, SC — last frost Mar 21, first frost Nov 7, zone 8b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
JFMAMJJASOND
Start indoors: Dec 27 to Jan 10Start indoors: Dec 27 to Jan 10Transplant outside: Feb 21 to Mar 7
Start indoors: Jan 10 to Jan 24Transplant outside: Apr 4 to Apr 18
Start indoors: Jan 10 to Jan 24Transplant outside: Apr 4 to Apr 18
Start indoors: Jan 24 to Feb 7Transplant outside: Mar 28 to Apr 11
Start indoors: Jan 24 to Feb 7Transplant outside: Feb 28 to Mar 14Sow outdoors: Feb 21 to Mar 28Plant for fall: Sep 12 to Oct 10
Start indoors: Jan 24 to Feb 7Transplant outside: Feb 21 to Mar 7Sow outdoors: Feb 21 to Mar 7Plant for fall: Aug 29 to Sep 19
Start indoors: Jan 24 to Feb 7Transplant outside: Mar 7 to Mar 21Plant for fall: Aug 1 to Aug 22
Start indoors: Jan 24 to Feb 7Transplant outside: Feb 28 to Mar 14Plant for fall: Aug 1 to Aug 22
Start indoors: Jan 24 to Feb 7Transplant outside: Mar 7 to Mar 21Plant for fall: Aug 1 to Aug 22
Start indoors: Feb 7 to Feb 21Transplant outside: Apr 11 to Apr 25Sow outdoors: Apr 11 to Apr 25
Start indoors: Feb 7 to Feb 21Transplant outside: Mar 28 to Apr 11
Sow outdoors: Feb 7 to Feb 28Plant for fall: Aug 15 to Sep 5
Sow outdoors: Feb 7 to Feb 28Plant for fall: Sep 12 to Oct 3
Sow outdoors: Feb 14 to Mar 28Plant for fall: Sep 26 to Oct 17
Start indoors: Feb 21 to Feb 28Transplant outside: Apr 4 to Apr 11Sow outdoors: Mar 28 to Apr 11Plant for fall: Aug 22 to Sep 5
Start indoors: Feb 21 to Feb 28Sow outdoors: Mar 28 to Apr 11Plant for fall: Aug 29 to Sep 12
Start indoors: Feb 21 to Feb 28Sow outdoors: Mar 28 to Apr 11
Start indoors: Feb 21 to Feb 28Transplant outside: Apr 4 to Apr 18
Sow outdoors: Feb 28 to Mar 28Plant for fall: Aug 15 to Aug 29
Sow outdoors: Feb 28 to Mar 28Plant for fall: Aug 29 to Sep 12
Sow outdoors: Feb 28 to Mar 21
Sow outdoors: Mar 7 to Apr 4Plant for fall: Aug 29 to Sep 12
Sow outdoors: Mar 7 to Mar 28Plant for fall: Sep 12 to Oct 3
Sow outdoors: Mar 28 to Apr 18Plant for fall: Aug 22 to Sep 5
Sow outdoors: Mar 28 to Apr 11
Transplant outside: Apr 4 to Apr 25
Plant for fall: Oct 24 to Nov 28
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Aiken, SC
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Dec 27 – Jan 10 | Feb 21 – Mar 7 | — | — |
| Peppers | Jan 10 – Jan 24 | Apr 4 – Apr 18 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Jan 10 – Jan 24 | Apr 4 – Apr 18 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Jan 24 – Feb 7 | Mar 28 – Apr 11 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Jan 24 – Feb 7 | Feb 28 – Mar 14 | Feb 21 – Mar 28 | Sep 12 – Oct 10 |
| Kale | Jan 24 – Feb 7 | Feb 21 – Mar 7 | Feb 21 – Mar 7 | Aug 29 – Sep 19 |
| Broccoli | Jan 24 – Feb 7 | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | — | Aug 1 – Aug 22 |
| Cabbage | Jan 24 – Feb 7 | Feb 28 – Mar 14 | — | Aug 1 – Aug 22 |
| Cauliflower | Jan 24 – Feb 7 | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | — | Aug 1 – Aug 22 |
| Okra | Feb 7 – Feb 21 | Apr 11 – Apr 25 | Apr 11 – Apr 25 | — |
| Basil | Feb 7 – Feb 21 | Mar 28 – Apr 11 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Feb 7 – Feb 28 | Aug 15 – Sep 5 |
| Spinach | — | — | Feb 7 – Feb 28 | Sep 12 – Oct 3 |
| Radishes | — | — | Feb 14 – Mar 28 | Sep 26 – Oct 17 |
| Cucumbers | Feb 21 – Feb 28 | Apr 4 – Apr 11 | Mar 28 – Apr 11 | Aug 22 – Sep 5 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Feb 21 – Feb 28 | — | Mar 28 – Apr 11 | Aug 29 – Sep 12 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Feb 21 – Feb 28 | — | Mar 28 – Apr 11 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Feb 21 – Feb 28 | Apr 4 – Apr 18 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Feb 28 – Mar 28 | Aug 15 – Aug 29 |
| Beets | — | — | Feb 28 – Mar 28 | Aug 29 – Sep 12 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Feb 28 – Mar 21 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Mar 7 – Apr 4 | Aug 29 – Sep 12 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Mar 7 – Mar 28 | Sep 12 – Oct 3 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Mar 28 – Apr 18 | Aug 22 – Sep 5 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Mar 28 – Apr 11 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Apr 4 – Apr 25 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 24 – Nov 28 |
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 Aiken 5se, SC weather station, about 1 km away (elevation 492 ft (150 m)).
ZIP codes in Aiken: 29801 29802 29803 29804 29805 29808
Frost dates near Aiken
- Montmorenci Mar 21 · Nov 7
- Warrenville Apr 9 · Nov 1
- New Ellenton Mar 21 · Nov 7
- Gloverville Apr 9 · Nov 1
- Graniteville Apr 9 · Nov 1
- Langley Apr 9 · Nov 1
- Clearwater Apr 9 · Nov 1
- Vaucluse Apr 9 · Nov 1
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Aiken, SC?
The median last spring frost in Aiken, SC is March 21. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after April 6, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Aiken, SC?
The median first fall frost is November 7, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 25.
How long is the growing season in Aiken, SC?
About 231 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Aiken, SC?
Aiken, SC is in USDA hardiness zone 8b.