Frost dates for 29504Florence, SC
The average last spring frost in Florence is March 19 and the average first fall frost is November 13, giving a typical growing season of about 241 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 19
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 13
- Growing season
- 241 days
Safer after Apr 5 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Nov 1 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 10 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 14 · Apr 1 · Apr 16 | Oct 23 · Nov 4 · Nov 18 | 217 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Feb 28 · Mar 19 · Apr 5 | Nov 1 · Nov 13 · Dec 2 | 241 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Feb 6 · Mar 4 · Mar 26 | Nov 9 · Nov 27 · Dec 23 | 269 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Florence
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 16 – Apr 24 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 4 – Jul 24 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Feb 16 – Mar 19 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Apr 18 – May 19 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 5 – Apr 3 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Apr 18 – May 19 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Apr 18 – Aug 3 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 4 – May 19 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 18 – May 19 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 4 – Aug 26 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 4 – Jul 24 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Apr 18 – May 19 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 11 – May 4 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 16 – Apr 3 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Feb 16 – Apr 18 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 5 – Feb 1 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 5 – Apr 3 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 29 – Mar 4 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 5 – Apr 3 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 14 – Jul 24 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 13 – Aug 24 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 19 – Feb 16 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 16 – Mar 19 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 4 – Aug 3 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 3 – Sep 3 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 16 – May 4 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 3 – Sep 19 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 9 – Mar 25 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 20 – Sep 24 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 16 – Apr 8 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 3 – Oct 4 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 5 – Mar 25 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 27 – Sep 3 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 19 – May 4 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 4 – Aug 19 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Nov 3 – Dec 4 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 29504 is matched to the NOAA station Florence Rgnl Ap, SC, 16.2 km away, at 146 ft elevation (34 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Florence Rgnl Ap, SC (used) | 146 ft | Mar 19 | Nov 13 |
| Lake City 2 Se, SC | 75 ft | Mar 20 | Nov 13 |
| Florence 8 Ne, SC | 120 ft | Mar 22 | Nov 10 |
| Cades 4 W, SC | 80 ft | Mar 27 | Nov 9 |
Frost dates near Florence
- Florence, SC 29503 · last Mar 19, first Nov 13
- Coward, SC 29530 · last Mar 20, first Nov 13
- Pamplico, SC 29583 · last Mar 20, first Nov 13
- Effingham, SC 29541 · last Mar 19, first Nov 13
- Scranton, SC 29591 · last Mar 20, first Nov 13
- Lake City, SC 29560 · last Mar 20, first Nov 13
- Timmonsville, SC 29161 · last Mar 19, first Nov 13
- Olanta, SC 29114 · last Mar 27, first Nov 9
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Florence, SC?
- For ZIP code 29504, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 19, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Florence Rgnl Ap, SC weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 5.
- When is the first frost in Florence, SC?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 13. 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 29504?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 241 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.