Frost dates for 29132Rion, SC
The average last spring frost in Rion is March 31 and the average first fall frost is November 6, giving a typical growing season of about 221 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 31
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 6
- Growing season
- 221 days
Safer after Apr 18 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 25 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 3 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 28 · Apr 10 · May 1 | Oct 14 · Oct 28 · Nov 11 | 199 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 14 · Mar 31 · Apr 18 | Oct 25 · Nov 6 · Nov 21 | 221 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Feb 26 · Mar 18 · Apr 4 | Nov 2 · Nov 17 · Dec 8 | 247 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Rion
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 28 – May 6 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 16 – Jul 17 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Feb 28 – Mar 31 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Apr 30 – May 31 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 17 – Apr 15 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Apr 30 – May 31 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Apr 30 – Jul 27 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 16 – May 31 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 30 – May 31 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 16 – Aug 19 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 16 – Jul 17 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Apr 30 – May 31 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 23 – May 16 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 28 – Apr 15 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Feb 28 – Apr 30 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 17 – Feb 13 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 17 – Apr 15 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 10 – Mar 16 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 17 – Apr 15 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 7 – Jul 17 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 6 – Aug 17 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 31 – Feb 28 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 28 – Mar 31 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 27 – Jul 27 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 27 – Aug 27 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 28 – May 16 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 27 – Sep 12 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 21 – Apr 6 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 13 – Sep 17 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 28 – Apr 20 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 27 – Sep 27 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 17 – Apr 6 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 20 – Aug 27 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 31 – May 16 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 27 – Aug 12 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 27 – Nov 27 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 29132 is matched to the NOAA station Winnsboro, SC, 8 km away, at 530 ft elevation (15 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Winnsboro, SC (used) | 530 ft | Mar 31 | Nov 6 |
| Cedar Creek 2E, SC | 338 ft | Apr 10 | Oct 28 |
| Little Mtn, SC | 711 ft | Mar 22 | Nov 11 |
| Sandhill Rsch - Elgin, SC | 440 ft | Mar 22 | Nov 15 |
Frost dates near Rion
- Winnsboro, SC 29180 · last Mar 31, first Nov 6
- Jenkinsville, SC 29065 · last Apr 10, first Oct 28
- Ridgeway, SC 29130 · last Mar 31, first Nov 6
- Blythewood, SC 29016 · last Mar 22, first Nov 15
- Peak, SC 29122 · last Apr 10, first Oct 28
- White Rock, SC 29177 · last Apr 10, first Oct 28
- Ballentine, SC 29002 · last Apr 10, first Oct 28
- Irmo, SC 29063 · last Apr 10, first Oct 28
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Rion, SC?
- For ZIP code 29132, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 31, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Winnsboro, SC weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 18.
- When is the first frost in Rion, SC?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 6. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 25, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 29132?
- 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.