Frost dates for 29053Gaston, SC
The average last spring frost in Gaston is March 28 and the average first fall frost is November 4, giving a typical growing season of about 221 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 28
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 4
- Growing season
- 221 days
Safer after Apr 10 (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 25 · Apr 7 · Apr 20 | Oct 14 · Oct 28 · Nov 8 | 203 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 14 · Mar 28 · Apr 10 | Oct 23 · Nov 4 · Nov 18 | 221 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Feb 28 · Mar 17 · Apr 2 | Nov 1 · Nov 14 · Dec 1 | 242 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Gaston
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 25 – May 3 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 13 – Jul 15 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Feb 25 – Mar 28 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Apr 27 – May 28 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 14 – Apr 12 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Apr 27 – May 28 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Apr 27 – Jul 25 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 13 – May 28 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 27 – May 28 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 13 – Aug 17 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 13 – Jul 15 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Apr 27 – May 28 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 20 – May 13 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 25 – Apr 12 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Feb 25 – Apr 27 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 14 – Feb 10 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 14 – Apr 12 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 7 – Mar 13 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 14 – Apr 12 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 5 – Jul 15 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 4 – Aug 15 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 28 – Feb 25 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 25 – Mar 28 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 25 – Jul 25 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 25 – Aug 25 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 25 – May 13 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 25 – Sep 10 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 18 – Apr 3 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 11 – Sep 15 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 25 – Apr 17 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 25 – Sep 25 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 14 – Apr 3 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 18 – Aug 25 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 28 – May 13 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 25 – Aug 10 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 25 – Nov 25 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 29053 is matched to the NOAA station Pelion 0.8 Nw, SC, 14.7 km away, at 451 ft elevation (77 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pelion 0.8 Nw, SC (used) | 451 ft | Mar 28 | Nov 4 |
| Columbia, SC | 231 ft | Mar 25 | Nov 7 |
| Columbia Owens Dwtn Ap, SC | 212 ft | Mar 13 | Nov 19 |
| Columbia Univ Of Sc, SC | 223 ft | Mar 16 | Nov 16 |
Frost dates near Gaston
- West Columbia, SC 29172 · last Mar 25, first Nov 7
- Swansea, SC 29160 · last Mar 28, first Nov 4
- Lexington, SC 29073 · last Mar 25, first Nov 7
- Pelion, SC 29123 · last Mar 28, first Nov 4
- Cayce, SC 29033 · last Mar 16, first Nov 16
- Columbia, SC 29228 · last Mar 25, first Nov 7
- North, SC 29112 · last Mar 26, first Nov 6
- Hopkins, SC 29061 · last Mar 13, first Nov 19
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Gaston, SC?
- For ZIP code 29053, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 28, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Pelion 0.8 Nw, SC weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 10.
- When is the first frost in Gaston, 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 29053?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 221 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.