Frost dates for 29518Cades, SC
The average last spring frost in Cades is March 27 and the average first fall frost is November 9, giving a typical growing season of about 227 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 27
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 9
- Growing season
- 227 days
Safer after Apr 13 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 26 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 6 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 20 · Apr 6 · Apr 22 | Oct 16 · Oct 31 · Nov 12 | 206 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 4 · Mar 27 · Apr 13 | Oct 26 · Nov 9 · Nov 25 | 227 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Feb 14 · Mar 13 · Apr 2 | Nov 4 · Nov 20 · Dec 14 | 254 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Cades
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 24 – May 2 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 12 – Jul 20 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Feb 24 – Mar 27 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Apr 26 – May 27 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 13 – Apr 11 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Apr 26 – May 27 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Apr 26 – Jul 30 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 12 – May 27 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 26 – May 27 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 12 – Aug 22 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 12 – Jul 20 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Apr 26 – May 27 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 19 – May 12 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 24 – Apr 11 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Feb 24 – Apr 26 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 13 – Feb 9 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 13 – Apr 11 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 6 – Mar 12 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 13 – Apr 11 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 10 – Jul 20 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 9 – Aug 20 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 27 – Feb 24 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 24 – Mar 27 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 30 – Jul 30 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 30 – Aug 30 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 24 – May 12 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 30 – Sep 15 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 17 – Apr 2 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 16 – Sep 20 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 24 – Apr 16 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 30 – Sep 30 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 13 – Apr 2 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 23 – Aug 30 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 27 – May 12 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 30 – Aug 15 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 30 – Nov 30 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 29518 is matched to the NOAA station Cades 4 W, SC, 2.3 km away, at 80 ft elevation (5 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cades 4 W, SC (used) | 80 ft | Mar 27 | Nov 9 |
| Kingstree, SC | 75 ft | Mar 29 | Nov 6 |
| Lake City 2 Se, SC | 75 ft | Mar 20 | Nov 13 |
| Manning, SC | 85 ft | Mar 25 | Nov 11 |
Frost dates near Cades
- Kingstree, SC 29556 · last Mar 27, first Nov 9
- Lake City, SC 29560 · last Mar 20, first Nov 13
- New Zion, SC 29111 · last Mar 27, first Nov 9
- Olanta, SC 29114 · last Mar 27, first Nov 9
- Scranton, SC 29591 · last Mar 20, first Nov 13
- Turbeville, SC 29162 · last Mar 27, first Nov 9
- Sardinia, SC 29143 · last Mar 25, first Nov 11
- Coward, SC 29530 · last Mar 20, first Nov 13
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Cades, SC?
- For ZIP code 29518, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 27, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Cades 4 W, SC weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 13.
- When is the first frost in Cades, SC?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 9. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 26, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 29518?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 227 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.