Frost dates for 29003Bamberg, SC
The average last spring frost in Bamberg is March 18 and the average first fall frost is November 12, giving a typical growing season of about 240 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 18
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 12
- Growing season
- 240 days
Safer after Apr 4 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Nov 1 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 9 days
Frost risk by date
NOAA reports frost dates as probabilities. The middle date is the average (a 50% chance). For spring, the 10% date is a safer planting date: frost after it happens in about 1 year in 10. Light frost (36°F) can damage tender plants; a hard freeze (28°F) kills most annuals.
| Temperature | Last spring: 90% / 50% / 10% chance | First fall: 10% / 50% / 90% chance | Growing season (50%) | Years with at least one |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Light frost (36°F) | Mar 14 · Mar 31 · Apr 16 | Oct 23 · Nov 3 · Nov 17 | 216 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Feb 26 · Mar 18 · Apr 4 | Nov 1 · Nov 12 · Dec 2 | 240 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Feb 4 · Mar 3 · Mar 25 | Nov 9 · Nov 26 · Dec 25 | 269 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Bamberg
Planting windows from the University of Maryland Extension calendar, shifted to your average frost dates. Use them as a starting point and adjust for seed packet instructions and local conditions.
| Crop | Task | Window |
|---|---|---|
| Tomatoes | Start seeds indoors | Feb 15 – Apr 23 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 3 – Jul 23 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Feb 15 – Mar 18 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Apr 17 – May 18 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 4 – Apr 2 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Apr 17 – May 18 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Apr 17 – Aug 2 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 3 – May 18 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 17 – May 18 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 3 – Aug 25 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 3 – Jul 23 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Apr 17 – May 18 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 10 – May 3 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 15 – Apr 2 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Feb 15 – Apr 17 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 4 – Jan 31 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 4 – Apr 2 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 28 – Mar 3 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 4 – Apr 2 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 13 – Jul 23 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 12 – Aug 23 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 18 – Feb 15 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 15 – Mar 18 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 3 – Aug 2 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 2 – Sep 2 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 15 – May 3 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 2 – Sep 18 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 8 – Mar 24 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 19 – Sep 23 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 15 – Apr 7 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 2 – Oct 3 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 4 – Mar 24 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 26 – Sep 2 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 18 – May 3 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 3 – Aug 18 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Nov 2 – Dec 3 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 29003 is matched to the NOAA station Bamberg, SC, 2 km away, at 156 ft elevation (2 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bamberg, SC (used) | 156 ft | Mar 18 | Nov 12 |
| Barnwell 5 Ene, SC | 245 ft | Mar 22 | Nov 9 |
| Orangeburg Muni Ap, SC | 197 ft | Mar 15 | Nov 19 |
| Orangeburg 2, SC | 185 ft | Mar 13 | Nov 15 |
Frost dates near Bamberg
- Cope, SC 29038 · last Mar 18, first Nov 12
- Denmark, SC 29042 · last Mar 18, first Nov 12
- Olar, SC 29843 · last Mar 18, first Nov 12
- Ehrhardt, SC 29081 · last Mar 18, first Nov 12
- Branchville, SC 29432 · last Mar 18, first Nov 12
- Rowesville, SC 29133 · last Mar 15, first Nov 19
- Cordova, SC 29039 · last Mar 15, first Nov 19
- Norway, SC 29113 · last Mar 18, first Nov 12
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Bamberg, SC?
- For ZIP code 29003, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 18, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Bamberg, SC weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 4.
- When is the first frost in Bamberg, SC?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 12. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by November 1, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 29003?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 240 days long.
- Are these frost dates a forecast?
- No. They are 30-year averages and probabilities from NOAA weather station records. Use them to plan, then watch your local forecast before planting tender crops or leaving them uncovered.