Frost dates for 29589Rains, SC
The average last spring frost in Rains is March 22 and the average first fall frost is November 11, giving a typical growing season of about 234 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 22
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 11
- Growing season
- 234 days
Safer after Apr 13 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 30 (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 19 · Apr 6 · Apr 22 | Oct 20 · Nov 1 · Nov 18 | 209 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Feb 28 · Mar 22 · Apr 13 | Oct 30 · Nov 11 · Dec 2 | 234 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Feb 9 · Mar 4 · Mar 30 | Nov 6 · Nov 24 · Dec 17 | 264 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Rains
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 19 – Apr 27 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 7 – Jul 22 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Feb 19 – Mar 22 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Apr 21 – May 22 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 8 – Apr 6 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Apr 21 – May 22 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Apr 21 – Aug 1 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 7 – May 22 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 21 – May 22 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 7 – Aug 24 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 7 – Jul 22 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Apr 21 – May 22 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 14 – May 7 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 19 – Apr 6 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Feb 19 – Apr 21 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 8 – Feb 4 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 8 – Apr 6 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 1 – Mar 7 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 8 – Apr 6 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 12 – Jul 22 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 11 – Aug 22 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 22 – Feb 19 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 19 – Mar 22 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 2 – Aug 1 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 1 – Sep 1 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 19 – May 7 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 1 – Sep 17 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 12 – Mar 28 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 18 – Sep 22 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 19 – Apr 11 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 1 – Oct 2 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 8 – Mar 28 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 25 – Sep 1 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 22 – May 7 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 2 – Aug 17 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Nov 1 – Dec 2 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 29589 is matched to the NOAA station Marion, SC, 9 km away, at 75 ft elevation (0 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marion, SC (used) | 75 ft | Mar 22 | Nov 11 |
| Mullins, SC | 110 ft | Mar 26 | Nov 11 |
| Dillon, SC | 118 ft | Mar 28 | Nov 8 |
| Florence Rgnl Ap, SC | 146 ft | Mar 19 | Nov 13 |
Frost dates near Rains
- Marion, SC 29571 · last Mar 22, first Nov 11
- Galivants Ferry, SC 29544 · last Mar 26, first Nov 11
- Centenary, SC 29519 · last Mar 22, first Nov 11
- Mullins, SC 29574 · last Mar 26, first Nov 11
- Aynor, SC 29511 · last Mar 15, first Nov 22
- Nichols, SC 29581 · last Mar 26, first Nov 11
- Fork, SC 29543 · last Mar 26, first Nov 11
- Sellers, SC 29592 · last Mar 22, first Nov 11
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Rains, SC?
- For ZIP code 29589, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 22, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Marion, SC weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 13.
- When is the first frost in Rains, SC?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 11. 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 29589?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 234 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.