Frost dates for 29009Bethune, SC
The average last spring frost in Bethune is March 29 and the average first fall frost is November 4, giving a typical growing season of about 222 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 29
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 4
- Growing season
- 222 days
Safer after Apr 11 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 23 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 1 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 24 · Apr 9 · Apr 21 | Oct 14 · Oct 27 · Nov 7 | 203 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 12 · Mar 29 · Apr 11 | Oct 23 · Nov 4 · Nov 20 | 222 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Feb 23 · Mar 16 · Apr 3 | Nov 1 · Nov 16 · Dec 6 | 247 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Bethune
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 26 – May 4 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 14 – Jul 15 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Feb 26 – Mar 29 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Apr 28 – May 29 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 15 – Apr 13 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Apr 28 – May 29 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Apr 28 – Jul 25 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 14 – May 29 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 28 – May 29 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 14 – Aug 17 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 14 – Jul 15 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Apr 28 – May 29 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 21 – May 14 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 26 – Apr 13 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Feb 26 – Apr 28 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 15 – Feb 11 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 15 – Apr 13 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 8 – Mar 14 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 15 – Apr 13 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 5 – Jul 15 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 4 – Aug 15 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 29 – Feb 26 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 26 – Mar 29 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 25 – Jul 25 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 25 – Aug 25 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 26 – May 14 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 25 – Sep 10 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 19 – Apr 4 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 11 – Sep 15 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 26 – Apr 18 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 25 – Sep 25 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 15 – Apr 4 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 18 – Aug 25 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 29 – May 14 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 25 – Aug 10 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 25 – Nov 25 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 29009 is matched to the NOAA station Bishopville 1Ene, SC, 26.4 km away, at 203 ft elevation (92 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bishopville 1Ene, SC (used) | 203 ft | Mar 29 | Nov 4 |
| Hartsville, SC | 185 ft | Mar 30 | Nov 6 |
| Wateree Dam, SC | 230 ft | Mar 23 | Nov 14 |
| Camden 3 W, SC | 140 ft | Apr 4 | Nov 4 |
Frost dates near Bethune
- Mc Bee, SC 29101 · last Mar 30, first Nov 6
- Cassatt, SC 29032 · last Mar 29, first Nov 4
- Westville, SC 29175 · last Mar 23, first Nov 14
- Hartsville, SC 29551 · last Mar 30, first Nov 6
- Kershaw, SC 29067 · last Mar 23, first Nov 14
- Bishopville, SC 29010 · last Mar 29, first Nov 4
- Jefferson, SC 29718 · last Mar 27, first Nov 8
- Camden, SC 29021 · last Mar 27, first Nov 7
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Bethune, SC?
- For ZIP code 29009, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 29, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Bishopville 1Ene, SC weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 11.
- When is the first frost in Bethune, SC?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 4. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 23, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 29009?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 222 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.