Frost dates for 29203Columbia, 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 29203 is matched to the NOAA station Columbia Univ Of Sc, SC, 8 km away, at 223 ft elevation (95 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 29204 · last Mar 16, first Nov 16
- State Park, SC 29147 · last Mar 22, first Nov 15
- West Columbia, SC 29169 · last Mar 25, first Nov 7
- Cayce, SC 29033 · last Mar 16, first Nov 16
- Blythewood, SC 29016 · last Mar 22, first Nov 15
- Irmo, SC 29063 · last Apr 10, first Oct 28
- Ballentine, SC 29002 · last Apr 10, first Oct 28
- Lexington, SC 29071 · last Mar 25, first Nov 7
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Columbia, SC?
- For ZIP code 29203, 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 29203?
- 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.