Frost dates for 29581Nichols, SC
The average last spring frost in Nichols is March 26 and the average first fall frost is November 11, giving a typical growing season of about 233 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 26
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 11
- Growing season
- 233 days
Safer after Apr 9 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Nov 1 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 8 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 21 · Apr 4 · Apr 19 | Oct 22 · Nov 1 · Nov 14 | 212 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 9 · Mar 26 · Apr 9 | Nov 1 · Nov 11 · Nov 26 | 233 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Feb 19 · Mar 14 · Mar 31 | Nov 7 · Nov 23 · Dec 20 | 258 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Nichols
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 22 |
| 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 – Aug 1 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 11 – May 26 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 25 – May 26 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 11 – Aug 24 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 11 – Jul 22 |
| 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 12 – Jul 22 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 11 – Aug 22 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 26 – Feb 23 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 23 – Mar 26 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 2 – Aug 1 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 1 – Sep 1 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 23 – May 11 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 1 – Sep 17 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 16 – Apr 1 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 18 – Sep 22 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 23 – Apr 15 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 1 – Oct 2 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 12 – Apr 1 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 25 – Sep 1 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 26 – May 11 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 2 – Aug 17 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Nov 1 – Dec 2 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 29581 is matched to the NOAA station Mullins, SC, 9.5 km away, at 110 ft elevation (25 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mullins, SC (used) | 110 ft | Mar 26 | Nov 11 |
| Lumber Rvr Sp, NC | 96 ft | Apr 1 | Nov 5 |
| Marion, SC | 75 ft | Mar 22 | Nov 11 |
| Dillon, SC | 118 ft | Mar 28 | Nov 8 |
Frost dates near Nichols
- Mullins, SC 29574 · last Mar 26, first Nov 11
- Fork, SC 29543 · last Mar 26, first Nov 11
- Lake View, SC 29563 · last Mar 28, first Nov 8
- Fair Bluff, NC 28439 · last Mar 29, first Nov 6
- Marietta, NC 28362 · last Mar 28, first Nov 8
- Green Sea, SC 29545 · last Mar 26, first Nov 11
- Rains, SC 29589 · last Mar 22, first Nov 11
- Barnesville, NC 28319 · last Apr 1, first Nov 5
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Nichols, SC?
- For ZIP code 29581, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 26, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Mullins, SC weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 9.
- When is the first frost in Nichols, SC?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 11. 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 29581?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 233 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.