Frost dates for 29142Santee, SC
The average last spring frost in Santee is March 22 and the average first fall frost is November 12, giving a typical growing season of about 237 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 22
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 12
- Growing season
- 237 days
Safer after Apr 6 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 31 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 11 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 4 · Apr 19 | Oct 22 · Nov 3 · Nov 18 | 214 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Feb 28 · Mar 22 · Apr 6 | Oct 31 · Nov 12 · Dec 2 | 237 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Feb 6 · Mar 6 · Mar 27 | Nov 8 · Nov 26 · Dec 24 | 265 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Santee
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 23 |
| 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 2 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 7 – May 22 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 21 – May 22 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 7 – Aug 25 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 7 – Jul 23 |
| 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 13 – Jul 23 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 12 – Aug 23 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 22 – Feb 19 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 19 – Mar 22 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 3 – Aug 2 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 2 – Sep 2 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 19 – May 7 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 2 – Sep 18 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 12 – Mar 28 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 19 – Sep 23 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 19 – Apr 11 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 2 – Oct 3 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 8 – Mar 28 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 26 – Sep 2 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 22 – May 7 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 3 – Aug 18 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Nov 2 – Dec 3 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 29142 is matched to the NOAA station Holly Hill 1 Sw, SC, 19.4 km away, at 95 ft elevation (36 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Holly Hill 1 Sw, SC (used) | 95 ft | Mar 22 | Nov 12 |
| Orangeburg Muni Ap, SC | 197 ft | Mar 15 | Nov 19 |
| Manning, SC | 85 ft | Mar 25 | Nov 11 |
| Orangeburg 2, SC | 185 ft | Mar 13 | Nov 15 |
Frost dates near Santee
- Vance, SC 29163 · last Mar 22, first Nov 12
- Elloree, SC 29047 · last Mar 15, first Nov 19
- Summerton, SC 29148 · last Mar 25, first Nov 11
- Eutawville, SC 29048 · last Mar 22, first Nov 12
- Holly Hill, SC 29059 · last Mar 22, first Nov 12
- Cameron, SC 29030 · last Mar 13, first Nov 15
- Bowman, SC 29018 · last Mar 15, first Nov 19
- Davis Station, SC 29041 · last Mar 25, first Nov 11
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Santee, SC?
- For ZIP code 29142, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 22, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Holly Hill 1 Sw, SC weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 6.
- When is the first frost in Santee, SC?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 12. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 31, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 29142?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 237 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.