Frost dates for 29560Lake City, SC
The average last spring frost in Lake City is March 20 and the average first fall frost is November 13, giving a typical growing season of about 240 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 20
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 13
- Growing season
- 240 days
Safer after Apr 5 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 30 (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 15 · Apr 2 · Apr 18 | Oct 20 · Nov 2 · Nov 19 | 217 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Feb 25 · Mar 20 · Apr 5 | Oct 30 · Nov 13 · Dec 4 | 240 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Feb 4 · Mar 4 · Mar 26 | Nov 7 · Nov 28 · Dec 25 | 268 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Lake City
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 17 – Apr 25 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 5 – Jul 24 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Feb 17 – Mar 20 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Apr 19 – May 20 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 6 – Apr 4 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Apr 19 – May 20 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Apr 19 – Aug 3 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 5 – May 20 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 19 – May 20 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 5 – Aug 26 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 5 – Jul 24 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Apr 19 – May 20 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 12 – May 5 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 17 – Apr 4 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Feb 17 – Apr 19 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 6 – Feb 2 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 6 – Apr 4 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 30 – Mar 5 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 6 – Apr 4 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 14 – Jul 24 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 13 – Aug 24 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 20 – Feb 17 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 17 – Mar 20 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 4 – Aug 3 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 3 – Sep 3 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 17 – May 5 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 3 – Sep 19 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 10 – Mar 26 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 20 – Sep 24 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 17 – Apr 9 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 3 – Oct 4 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 6 – Mar 26 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 27 – Sep 3 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 20 – May 5 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 4 – Aug 19 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Nov 3 – Dec 4 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 29560 is matched to the NOAA station Lake City 2 Se, SC, 1.1 km away, at 75 ft elevation (3 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lake City 2 Se, SC (used) | 75 ft | Mar 20 | Nov 13 |
| Cades 4 W, SC | 80 ft | Mar 27 | Nov 9 |
| Kingstree, SC | 75 ft | Mar 29 | Nov 6 |
| Florence Rgnl Ap, SC | 146 ft | Mar 19 | Nov 13 |
Frost dates near Lake City
- Scranton, SC 29591 · last Mar 20, first Nov 13
- Cades, SC 29518 · last Mar 27, first Nov 9
- Coward, SC 29530 · last Mar 20, first Nov 13
- Olanta, SC 29114 · last Mar 27, first Nov 9
- Pamplico, SC 29583 · last Mar 20, first Nov 13
- Florence, SC 29504 · last Mar 19, first Nov 13
- Kingstree, SC 29556 · last Mar 27, first Nov 9
- Johnsonville, SC 29555 · last Mar 20, first Nov 13
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Lake City, SC?
- For ZIP code 29560, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 20, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Lake City 2 Se, SC weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 5.
- When is the first frost in Lake City, SC?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 13. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 30, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 29560?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 240 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.