Frost dates for 29520Cheraw, SC
The average last spring frost in Cheraw is March 26 and the average first fall frost is November 9, giving a typical growing season of about 231 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 26
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 9
- Growing season
- 231 days
Safer after Apr 9 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 29 (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 5 · Apr 21 | Oct 19 · Nov 1 · Nov 13 | 209 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 5 · Mar 26 · Apr 9 | Oct 29 · Nov 9 · Nov 27 | 231 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Feb 18 · Mar 13 · Mar 31 | Nov 5 · Nov 21 · Dec 11 | 255 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Cheraw
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 23 – May 1 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 11 – Jul 20 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Feb 23 – Mar 26 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Apr 25 – May 26 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 12 – Apr 10 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Apr 25 – May 26 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Apr 25 – Jul 30 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 11 – May 26 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 25 – May 26 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 11 – Aug 22 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 11 – Jul 20 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Apr 25 – May 26 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 18 – May 11 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 23 – Apr 10 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Feb 23 – Apr 25 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 12 – Feb 8 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 12 – Apr 10 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 5 – Mar 11 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 12 – Apr 10 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 10 – Jul 20 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 9 – Aug 20 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 26 – Feb 23 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 23 – Mar 26 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 30 – Jul 30 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 30 – Aug 30 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 23 – May 11 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 30 – Sep 15 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 16 – Apr 1 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 16 – Sep 20 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 23 – Apr 15 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 30 – Sep 30 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 12 – Apr 1 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 23 – Aug 30 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 26 – May 11 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 30 – Aug 15 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 30 – Nov 30 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 29520 is matched to the NOAA station Cheraw, SC, 3.7 km away, at 150 ft elevation (27 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cheraw, SC (used) | 150 ft | Mar 26 | Nov 9 |
| Chesterfield 3 E, SC | 205 ft | Apr 1 | Nov 3 |
| Hamlet, NC | 350 ft | Mar 30 | Nov 4 |
| Mccoll 3 Nnw, SC | 190 ft | Mar 26 | Nov 8 |
Frost dates near Cheraw
- Wallace, SC 29596 · last Mar 26, first Nov 9
- Mc Farlan, NC 28102 · last Apr 1, first Nov 3
- Chesterfield, SC 29709 · last Apr 1, first Nov 3
- Patrick, SC 29584 · last Apr 1, first Nov 3
- Morven, NC 28119 · last Mar 24, first Nov 9
- Bennettsville, SC 29512 · last Mar 26, first Nov 8
- Ruby, SC 29741 · last Apr 1, first Nov 3
- Society Hill, SC 29593 · last Mar 30, first Nov 6
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Cheraw, SC?
- For ZIP code 29520, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 26, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Cheraw, SC weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 9.
- When is the first frost in Cheraw, SC?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 9. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 29, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 29520?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 231 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.