Frost dates for 29420North Charleston, SC
The average last spring frost in North 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 North 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 29420 is matched to the NOAA station Charleston Intl Ap, SC, 7 km away, at 40 ft elevation (20 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 |
| Summerville 4W, SC | 65 ft | Mar 22 | Nov 12 |
| Charleston City, SC | 10 ft | Feb 4 | Dec 30 |
| Sullivans Is, SC | 5 ft | Mar 13 | Nov 30 |
Frost dates near North Charleston
- Charleston Afb, SC 29404 · last Mar 7, first Nov 27
- Charleston, SC 29406 · last Mar 7, first Nov 27
- Ladson, SC 29456 · last Mar 22, first Nov 12
- North Charleston, SC 29418 · last Mar 7, first Nov 27
- Hanahan, SC 29410 · last Mar 7, first Nov 27
- Summerville, SC 29485 · last Mar 22, first Nov 12
- Johns Island, SC 29455 · last Mar 7, first Nov 27
- Goose Creek, SC 29445 · last Mar 7, first Nov 27
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in North Charleston, SC?
- For ZIP code 29420, 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 North 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 29420?
- 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.