Frost dates for 29414Charleston, SC
The average last spring frost in Charleston is March 7 and the average first fall frost is November 27, giving a typical growing season of about 266 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 7
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 27
- Growing season
- 266 days
Safer after Mar 27 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Nov 8 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 24 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) | Feb 28 · Mar 21 · Apr 6 | Nov 1 · Nov 13 · Dec 1 | 239 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Feb 12 · Mar 7 · Mar 27 | Nov 8 · Nov 27 · Dec 21 | 266 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Jan 21 · Feb 20 · Mar 14 | Nov 21 · Dec 15 · Jan 13 | 301 days | 99% |
Planting calendar for Charleston
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 4 – Apr 12 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Mar 23 – Aug 7 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Feb 4 – Mar 7 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Apr 6 – May 7 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Feb 21 – Mar 22 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Apr 6 – May 7 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Apr 6 – Aug 17 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Mar 23 – May 7 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 6 – May 7 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Mar 23 – Sep 9 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Mar 23 – Aug 7 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Apr 6 – May 7 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Mar 30 – Apr 22 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 4 – Mar 22 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Feb 4 – Apr 6 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Dec 24 – Jan 20 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 21 – Mar 22 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 17 – Feb 20 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 21 – Mar 22 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 28 – Aug 7 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 27 – Sep 7 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 7 – Feb 4 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 4 – Mar 7 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 18 – Aug 17 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 17 – Sep 17 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 4 – Apr 22 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 17 – Oct 3 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 28 – Mar 13 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Sep 3 – Oct 8 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 4 – Mar 27 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 17 – Oct 18 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 21 – Mar 13 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 10 – Sep 17 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 7 – Apr 22 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 18 – Sep 2 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Nov 17 – Dec 18 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 29414 is matched to the NOAA station Charleston Intl Ap, SC, 8.7 km away, at 40 ft elevation (37 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Charleston Intl Ap, SC (used) | 40 ft | Mar 7 | Nov 27 |
| Charleston City, SC | 10 ft | Feb 4 | Dec 30 |
| Sullivans Is, SC | 5 ft | Mar 13 | Nov 30 |
| Summerville 4W, SC | 65 ft | Mar 22 | Nov 12 |
Frost dates near Charleston
- Charleston, SC 29407 · last Feb 4, first Dec 30
- Johns Island, SC 29455 · last Mar 7, first Nov 27
- North Charleston, SC 29405 · last Mar 7, first Nov 27
- Charleston Afb, SC 29404 · last Mar 7, first Nov 27
- Hanahan, SC 29410 · last Mar 7, first Nov 27
- Ravenel, SC 29470 · last Mar 7, first Nov 27
- Mount Pleasant, SC 29465 · last Mar 13, first Nov 30
- Ladson, SC 29456 · last Mar 22, first Nov 12
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Charleston, SC?
- For ZIP code 29414, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 7, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Charleston Intl Ap, SC weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after March 27.
- When is the first frost in Charleston, SC?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 27. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by November 8, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 29414?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 266 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.