Frost dates for 29172West 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 29172 is matched to the NOAA station Columbia, SC, 6 km away, at 231 ft elevation (61 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 |
| Columbia Owens Dwtn Ap, SC | 212 ft | Mar 13 | Nov 19 |
| Columbia Univ Of Sc, SC | 223 ft | Mar 16 | Nov 16 |
| Pelion 0.8 Nw, SC | 451 ft | Mar 28 | Nov 4 |
Frost dates near West Columbia
- Cayce, SC 29033 · last Mar 16, first Nov 16
- Gaston, SC 29053 · last Mar 28, first Nov 4
- West Columbia, SC 29170 · last Mar 25, first Nov 7
- Columbia, SC 29202 · last Mar 16, first Nov 16
- Lexington, SC 29073 · last Mar 25, first Nov 7
- Swansea, SC 29160 · last Mar 28, first Nov 4
- Pelion, SC 29123 · last Mar 28, first Nov 4
- Hopkins, SC 29061 · last Mar 13, first Nov 19
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in West Columbia, SC?
- For ZIP code 29172, 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 29172?
- 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.