Frost dates for 29202Columbia, SC
The average last spring frost in Columbia is March 16 and the average first fall frost is November 16, giving a typical growing season of about 245 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 16
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 16
- Growing season
- 245 days
Safer after Apr 3 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Nov 2 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 13 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 11 · Mar 28 · Apr 13 | Oct 24 · Nov 5 · Nov 20 | 221 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Feb 24 · Mar 16 · Apr 3 | Nov 2 · Nov 16 · Dec 6 | 245 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Jan 31 · Mar 1 · Mar 23 | Nov 12 · Dec 2 · Dec 30 | 277 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for 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 13 – Apr 21 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 1 – Jul 27 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Feb 13 – Mar 16 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Apr 15 – May 16 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 2 – Mar 31 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Apr 15 – May 16 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Apr 15 – Aug 6 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 1 – May 16 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 15 – May 16 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 1 – Aug 29 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 1 – Jul 27 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Apr 15 – May 16 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 8 – May 1 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 13 – Mar 31 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Feb 13 – Apr 15 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 2 – Jan 29 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 2 – Mar 31 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 26 – Mar 1 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 2 – Mar 31 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 17 – Jul 27 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 16 – Aug 27 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 16 – Feb 13 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 13 – Mar 16 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 7 – Aug 6 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 6 – Sep 6 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 13 – May 1 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 6 – Sep 22 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 6 – Mar 22 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 23 – Sep 27 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 13 – Apr 5 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 6 – Oct 7 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 2 – Mar 22 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 30 – Sep 6 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 16 – May 1 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 7 – Aug 22 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Nov 6 – Dec 7 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 29202 is matched to the NOAA station Columbia Univ Of Sc, SC, 1.4 km away, at 223 ft elevation (75 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Columbia Univ Of Sc, SC (used) | 223 ft | Mar 16 | Nov 16 |
| Columbia Owens Dwtn Ap, SC | 212 ft | Mar 13 | Nov 19 |
| Columbia, SC | 231 ft | Mar 25 | Nov 7 |
| Sandhill Rsch - Elgin, SC | 440 ft | Mar 22 | Nov 15 |
Frost dates near Columbia
- Columbia, SC 29208 · last Mar 16, first Nov 16
- West Columbia, SC 29169 · last Mar 25, first Nov 7
- Cayce, SC 29033 · last Mar 16, first Nov 16
- State Park, SC 29147 · last Mar 22, first Nov 15
- Lexington, SC 29071 · last Mar 25, first Nov 7
- Hopkins, SC 29061 · last Mar 13, first Nov 19
- Irmo, SC 29063 · last Apr 10, first Oct 28
- Gaston, SC 29053 · last Mar 28, first Nov 4
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Columbia, SC?
- For ZIP code 29202, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 16, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Columbia Univ Of Sc, SC weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 3.
- When is the first frost in Columbia, SC?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 16. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by November 2, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 29202?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 245 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.