Frost dates for 29153Sumter, SC
The average last spring frost in Sumter is March 24 and the average first fall frost is November 7, giving a typical growing season of about 230 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 24
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 7
- Growing season
- 230 days
Safer after Apr 7 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 28 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 5 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 20 | Oct 17 · Oct 31 · Nov 12 | 209 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 5 · Mar 24 · Apr 7 | Oct 28 · Nov 7 · Nov 26 | 230 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Feb 17 · Mar 13 · Mar 30 | Nov 4 · Nov 21 · Dec 14 | 257 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Sumter
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 21 – Apr 29 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 9 – Jul 18 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Feb 21 – Mar 24 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Apr 23 – May 24 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 10 – Apr 8 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Apr 23 – May 24 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Apr 23 – Jul 28 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 9 – May 24 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 23 – May 24 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 9 – Aug 20 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 9 – Jul 18 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Apr 23 – May 24 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 16 – May 9 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 21 – Apr 8 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Feb 21 – Apr 23 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 10 – Feb 6 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 10 – Apr 8 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 3 – Mar 9 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 10 – Apr 8 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 8 – Jul 18 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 7 – Aug 18 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 24 – Feb 21 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 21 – Mar 24 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 28 – Jul 28 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 28 – Aug 28 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 21 – May 9 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 28 – Sep 13 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 14 – Mar 30 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 14 – Sep 18 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 21 – Apr 13 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 28 – Sep 28 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 10 – Mar 30 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 21 – Aug 28 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 24 – May 9 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 28 – Aug 13 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 28 – Nov 28 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 29153 is matched to the NOAA station Sumter, SC, 3.5 km away, at 177 ft elevation (36 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sumter, SC (used) | 177 ft | Mar 24 | Nov 7 |
| Wedgefield, SC | 250 ft | Mar 21 | Nov 13 |
| Elliott 0.8 Nw, SC | 173 ft | Mar 19 | Nov 15 |
| Manning, SC | 85 ft | Mar 25 | Nov 11 |
Frost dates near Sumter
- Shaw Afb, SC 29152 · last Mar 24, first Nov 7
- Sumter, SC 29150 · last Mar 24, first Nov 7
- Mayesville, SC 29104 · last Mar 24, first Nov 7
- Dalzell, SC 29040 · last Mar 21, first Nov 13
- Wedgefield, SC 29168 · last Mar 21, first Nov 13
- Gable, SC 29051 · last Mar 25, first Nov 11
- Elliott, SC 29046 · last Mar 29, first Nov 4
- Alcolu, SC 29001 · last Mar 25, first Nov 11
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Sumter, SC?
- For ZIP code 29153, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 24, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Sumter, SC weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 7.
- When is the first frost in Sumter, SC?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 7. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 28, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 29153?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 230 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.