Frost dates for 29440Georgetown, SC
The average last spring frost in Georgetown is March 18 and the average first fall frost is November 18, giving a typical growing season of about 247 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 18
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 18
- Growing season
- 247 days
Safer after Apr 3 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Nov 4 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 15 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 13 · Mar 28 · Apr 14 | Oct 25 · Nov 7 · Nov 26 | 225 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Feb 25 · Mar 18 · Apr 3 | Nov 4 · Nov 18 · Dec 8 | 247 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Feb 2 · Mar 1 · Mar 23 | Nov 11 · Nov 30 · Dec 27 | 276 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Georgetown
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 15 – Apr 23 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 3 – Jul 29 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Feb 15 – Mar 18 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Apr 17 – May 18 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 4 – Apr 2 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Apr 17 – May 18 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Apr 17 – Aug 8 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 3 – May 18 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 17 – May 18 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 3 – Aug 31 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 3 – Jul 29 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Apr 17 – May 18 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 10 – May 3 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 15 – Apr 2 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Feb 15 – Apr 17 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 4 – Jan 31 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 4 – Apr 2 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 28 – Mar 3 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 4 – Apr 2 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 19 – Jul 29 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 18 – Aug 29 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 18 – Feb 15 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 15 – Mar 18 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 9 – Aug 8 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 8 – Sep 8 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 15 – May 3 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 8 – Sep 24 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 8 – Mar 24 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 25 – Sep 29 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 15 – Apr 7 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 8 – Oct 9 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 4 – Mar 24 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 1 – Sep 8 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 18 – May 3 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 9 – Aug 24 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Nov 8 – Dec 9 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 29440 is matched to the NOAA station Brookgreen Gardens, SC, 23.3 km away, at 20 ft elevation (4 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brookgreen Gardens, SC (used) | 20 ft | Mar 18 | Nov 18 |
| Georgetown Co Ap, SC | 30 ft | Mar 12 | Nov 24 |
| Andrews, SC | 35 ft | Mar 23 | Nov 13 |
| Hemingway 8 Ese, SC | 40 ft | Mar 23 | Nov 15 |
Frost dates near Georgetown
- Georgetown, SC 29442 · last Mar 18, first Nov 18
- Pawleys Island, SC 29585 · last Mar 18, first Nov 18
- Andrews, SC 29510 · last Mar 23, first Nov 13
- Murrells Inlet, SC 29576 · last Mar 18, first Nov 18
- Nesmith, SC 29580 · last Mar 23, first Nov 13
- Hemingway, SC 29554 · last Mar 23, first Nov 15
- Jamestown, SC 29453 · last Mar 22, first Nov 13
- Mc Clellanville, SC 29458 · last Feb 28, first Dec 1
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Georgetown, SC?
- For ZIP code 29440, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 18, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Brookgreen Gardens, SC weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 3.
- When is the first frost in Georgetown, SC?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 18. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by November 4, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 29440?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 247 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.