Frost dates for 29229Columbia, SC
The average last spring frost in Columbia is March 22 and the average first fall frost is November 15, giving a typical growing season of about 239 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 22
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 15
- Growing season
- 239 days
Safer after Apr 10 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Nov 1 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 12 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 16 · Apr 3 · Apr 19 | Oct 21 · Nov 4 · Nov 19 | 214 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 2 · Mar 22 · Apr 10 | Nov 1 · Nov 15 · Dec 4 | 239 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Feb 14 · Mar 8 · Mar 28 | Nov 12 · Nov 30 · Dec 28 | 267 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 19 – Apr 27 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 7 – Jul 26 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Feb 19 – Mar 22 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Apr 21 – May 22 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 8 – Apr 6 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Apr 21 – May 22 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Apr 21 – Aug 5 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 7 – May 22 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 21 – May 22 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 7 – Aug 28 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 7 – Jul 26 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Apr 21 – May 22 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 14 – May 7 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 19 – Apr 6 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Feb 19 – Apr 21 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 8 – Feb 4 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 8 – Apr 6 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 1 – Mar 7 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 8 – Apr 6 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 16 – Jul 26 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 15 – Aug 26 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 22 – Feb 19 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 19 – Mar 22 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 6 – Aug 5 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 5 – Sep 5 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 19 – May 7 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 5 – Sep 21 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 12 – Mar 28 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 22 – Sep 26 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 19 – Apr 11 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 5 – Oct 6 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 8 – Mar 28 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 29 – Sep 5 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 22 – May 7 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 6 – Aug 21 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Nov 5 – Dec 6 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 29229 is matched to the NOAA station Sandhill Rsch - Elgin, SC, 2.1 km away, at 440 ft elevation (33 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sandhill Rsch - Elgin, SC (used) | 440 ft | Mar 22 | Nov 15 |
| Cedar Creek 2E, SC | 338 ft | Apr 10 | Oct 28 |
| 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 Columbia
- Columbia, SC 29223 · last Mar 22, first Nov 15
- Elgin, SC 29045 · last Mar 22, first Nov 15
- State Park, SC 29147 · last Mar 22, first Nov 15
- Blythewood, SC 29016 · last Mar 22, first Nov 15
- Lugoff, SC 29078 · last Mar 22, first Nov 15
- Ridgeway, SC 29130 · last Mar 31, first Nov 6
- Hopkins, SC 29061 · last Mar 13, first Nov 19
- West Columbia, SC 29169 · last Mar 25, first Nov 7
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Columbia, SC?
- For ZIP code 29229, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 22, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Sandhill Rsch - Elgin, SC weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 10.
- When is the first frost in Columbia, SC?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 15. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by November 1, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 29229?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 239 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.