Frost dates for 29036Chapin, SC
The average last spring frost in Chapin is March 22 and the average first fall frost is November 11, giving a typical growing season of about 234 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 22
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 11
- Growing season
- 234 days
Safer after Apr 7 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 29 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 8 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 18 · Apr 3 · Apr 17 | Oct 19 · Nov 1 · Nov 15 | 212 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 3 · Mar 22 · Apr 7 | Oct 29 · Nov 11 · Nov 30 | 234 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Feb 15 · Mar 10 · Mar 28 | Nov 6 · Nov 26 · Dec 24 | 262 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Chapin
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 19 – Apr 27 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 7 – Jul 22 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Feb 19 – Mar 22 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Apr 21 – May 22 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 8 – Apr 6 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Apr 21 – May 22 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Apr 21 – Aug 1 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 7 – May 22 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 21 – May 22 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 7 – Aug 24 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 7 – Jul 22 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Apr 21 – May 22 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 14 – May 7 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 19 – Apr 6 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Feb 19 – Apr 21 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 8 – Feb 4 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 8 – Apr 6 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 1 – Mar 7 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 8 – Apr 6 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 12 – Jul 22 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 11 – Aug 22 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 22 – Feb 19 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 19 – Mar 22 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 2 – Aug 1 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 1 – Sep 1 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 19 – May 7 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 1 – Sep 17 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 12 – Mar 28 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 18 – Sep 22 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 19 – Apr 11 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 1 – Oct 2 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 8 – Mar 28 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 25 – Sep 1 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 22 – May 7 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 2 – Aug 17 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Nov 1 – Dec 2 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 29036 is matched to the NOAA station Little Mtn, SC, 10.7 km away, at 711 ft elevation (271 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Little Mtn, SC (used) | 711 ft | Mar 22 | Nov 11 |
| Cedar Creek 2E, SC | 338 ft | Apr 10 | Oct 28 |
| Columbia, SC | 231 ft | Mar 25 | Nov 7 |
| Newberry, SC | 513 ft | Mar 31 | Nov 7 |
Frost dates near Chapin
- White Rock, SC 29177 · last Apr 10, first Oct 28
- Little Mountain, SC 29075 · last Mar 22, first Nov 11
- Ballentine, SC 29002 · last Apr 10, first Oct 28
- Peak, SC 29122 · last Apr 10, first Oct 28
- Irmo, SC 29063 · last Apr 10, first Oct 28
- Columbia, SC 29212 · last Mar 25, first Nov 7
- Jenkinsville, SC 29065 · last Apr 10, first Oct 28
- Lexington, SC 29071 · last Mar 25, first Nov 7
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Chapin, SC?
- For ZIP code 29036, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 22, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Little Mtn, SC weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 7.
- When is the first frost in Chapin, SC?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 11. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 29, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 29036?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 234 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.