Frost dates for 29118Orangeburg, SC
The average last spring frost in Orangeburg is March 13 and the average first fall frost is November 15, giving a typical growing season of about 249 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 13
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 15
- Growing season
- 249 days
Safer after Apr 1 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Nov 1 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 12 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 8 · Mar 28 · Apr 15 | Oct 23 · Nov 5 · Nov 19 | 223 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Feb 17 · Mar 13 · Apr 1 | Nov 1 · Nov 15 · Dec 7 | 249 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Jan 26 · Feb 23 · Mar 18 | Nov 11 · Dec 2 · Jan 2 | 286 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Orangeburg
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 10 – Apr 18 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Mar 29 – Jul 26 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Feb 10 – Mar 13 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Apr 12 – May 13 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Feb 27 – Mar 28 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Apr 12 – May 13 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Apr 12 – Aug 5 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Mar 29 – May 13 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 12 – May 13 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Mar 29 – Aug 28 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Mar 29 – Jul 26 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Apr 12 – May 13 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 5 – Apr 28 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 10 – Mar 28 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Feb 10 – Apr 12 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Dec 30 – Jan 26 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 27 – Mar 28 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 23 – Feb 26 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 27 – Mar 28 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 16 – Jul 26 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 15 – Aug 26 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 13 – Feb 10 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 10 – Mar 13 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 6 – Aug 5 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 5 – Sep 5 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 10 – Apr 28 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 5 – Sep 21 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 3 – Mar 19 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 22 – Sep 26 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 10 – Apr 2 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 5 – Oct 6 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 27 – Mar 19 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 29 – Sep 5 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 13 – Apr 28 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 6 – Aug 21 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Nov 5 – Dec 6 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 29118 is matched to the NOAA station Orangeburg 2, SC, 9.9 km away, at 185 ft elevation (91 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Orangeburg 2, SC (used) | 185 ft | Mar 13 | Nov 15 |
| Orangeburg Muni Ap, SC | 197 ft | Mar 15 | Nov 19 |
| N 5Ne, SC | 322 ft | Mar 26 | Nov 6 |
| Bamberg, SC | 156 ft | Mar 18 | Nov 12 |
Frost dates near Orangeburg
- Orangeburg, SC 29115 · last Mar 13, first Nov 15
- North, SC 29112 · last Mar 26, first Nov 6
- Saint Matthews, SC 29135 · last Mar 13, first Nov 15
- Cordova, SC 29039 · last Mar 15, first Nov 19
- Neeses, SC 29107 · last Mar 20, first Nov 13
- Cameron, SC 29030 · last Mar 13, first Nov 15
- Norway, SC 29113 · last Mar 18, first Nov 12
- Cope, SC 29038 · last Mar 18, first Nov 12
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Orangeburg, SC?
- For ZIP code 29118, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 13, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Orangeburg 2, SC weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 1.
- When is the first frost in Orangeburg, SC?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 15. 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 29118?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 249 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.