Frost dates for 29171West Columbia, SC
The average last spring frost in West Columbia is March 25 and the average first fall frost is November 7, giving a typical growing season of about 229 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 25
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 7
- Growing season
- 229 days
Safer after Apr 10 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 26 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 4 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 20 · Apr 5 · Apr 19 | Oct 17 · Oct 29 · Nov 11 | 207 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 4 · Mar 25 · Apr 10 | Oct 26 · Nov 7 · Nov 24 | 229 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Feb 14 · Mar 10 · Mar 28 | Nov 4 · Nov 22 · Dec 14 | 259 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for West Columbia
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 22 – Apr 30 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 10 – Jul 18 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Feb 22 – Mar 25 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Apr 24 – May 25 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 11 – Apr 9 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Apr 24 – May 25 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Apr 24 – Jul 28 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 10 – May 25 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 24 – May 25 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 10 – Aug 20 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 10 – Jul 18 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Apr 24 – May 25 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 17 – May 10 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 22 – Apr 9 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Feb 22 – Apr 24 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 11 – Feb 7 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 11 – Apr 9 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 4 – Mar 10 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 11 – Apr 9 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 8 – Jul 18 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 7 – Aug 18 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 25 – Feb 22 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 22 – Mar 25 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 28 – Jul 28 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 28 – Aug 28 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 22 – May 10 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 28 – Sep 13 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 15 – Mar 31 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 14 – Sep 18 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 22 – Apr 14 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 28 – Sep 28 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 11 – Mar 31 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 21 – Aug 28 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 25 – May 10 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 28 – Aug 13 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 28 – Nov 28 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 29171 is matched to the NOAA station Columbia, SC, 12.2 km away, at 231 ft elevation (159 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Columbia, SC (used) | 231 ft | Mar 25 | Nov 7 |
| Pelion 0.8 Nw, SC | 451 ft | Mar 28 | Nov 4 |
| Columbia Univ Of Sc, SC | 223 ft | Mar 16 | Nov 16 |
| Columbia Owens Dwtn Ap, SC | 212 ft | Mar 13 | Nov 19 |
Frost dates near West Columbia
- Columbia, SC 29228 · last Mar 25, first Nov 7
- Lexington, SC 29072 · last Mar 25, first Nov 7
- West Columbia, SC 29170 · last Mar 25, first Nov 7
- Gilbert, SC 29054 · last Mar 28, first Nov 4
- Gaston, SC 29053 · last Mar 28, first Nov 4
- Pelion, SC 29123 · last Mar 28, first Nov 4
- Cayce, SC 29033 · last Mar 16, first Nov 16
- Leesville, SC 29070 · last Mar 20, first Nov 18
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in West Columbia, SC?
- For ZIP code 29171, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 25, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Columbia, SC weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 10.
- When is the first frost in West Columbia, SC?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 7. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 26, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 29171?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 229 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.