Frost dates for 29609Greenville, SC
The average last spring frost in Greenville is March 16 and the average first fall frost is November 20, giving a typical growing season of about 250 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 16
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 20
- Growing season
- 250 days
Safer after Apr 2 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Nov 4 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 17 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 13 · Mar 29 · Apr 14 | Oct 25 · Nov 7 · Nov 23 | 225 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Feb 26 · Mar 16 · Apr 2 | Nov 4 · Nov 20 · Dec 7 | 250 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Feb 5 · Mar 3 · Mar 22 | Nov 16 · Dec 3 · Jan 1 | 278 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Greenville
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 13 – Apr 21 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 1 – Jul 31 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Feb 13 – Mar 16 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Apr 15 – May 16 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 2 – Mar 31 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Apr 15 – May 16 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Apr 15 – Aug 10 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 1 – May 16 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 15 – May 16 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 1 – Sep 2 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 1 – Jul 31 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Apr 15 – May 16 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 8 – May 1 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 13 – Mar 31 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Feb 13 – Apr 15 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 2 – Jan 29 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 2 – Mar 31 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 26 – Mar 1 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 2 – Mar 31 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 21 – Jul 31 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 20 – Aug 31 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 16 – Feb 13 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 13 – Mar 16 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 11 – Aug 10 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 10 – Sep 10 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 13 – May 1 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 10 – Sep 26 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 6 – Mar 22 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 27 – Oct 1 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 13 – Apr 5 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 10 – Oct 11 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 2 – Mar 22 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 3 – Sep 10 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 16 – May 1 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 11 – Aug 26 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Nov 10 – Dec 11 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 29609 is matched to the NOAA station Greenville Dwtn Ap, SC, 7.1 km away, at 1,048 ft elevation (2 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Greenville Dwtn Ap, SC (used) | 1,048 ft | Mar 16 | Nov 20 |
| Greenville, SC | 960 ft | Mar 28 | Nov 7 |
| Greer, SC | 940 ft | Mar 28 | Nov 7 |
| W Pelzer, SC | 705 ft | Apr 1 | Nov 4 |
Frost dates near Greenville
- Greenville, SC 29614 · last Mar 16, first Nov 20
- Taylors, SC 29687 · last Mar 28, first Nov 7
- Greer, SC 29650 · last Mar 28, first Nov 7
- Travelers Rest, SC 29690 · last Mar 16, first Nov 20
- Conestee, SC 29636 · last Mar 28, first Nov 7
- Mauldin, SC 29662 · last Mar 28, first Nov 7
- Slater, SC 29683 · last Mar 16, first Nov 20
- Easley, SC 29640 · last Apr 1, first Nov 3
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Greenville, SC?
- For ZIP code 29609, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 16, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Greenville Dwtn Ap, SC weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 2.
- When is the first frost in Greenville, SC?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 20. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by November 4, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 29609?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 250 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.