Frost dates for 29634Clemson, SC
The average last spring frost in Clemson is April 1 and the average first fall frost is November 3, giving a typical growing season of about 217 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 1
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 3
- Growing season
- 217 days
Safer after Apr 18 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 21 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 0 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 29 · Apr 14 · Apr 30 | Oct 12 · Oct 25 · Nov 6 | 195 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 16 · Apr 1 · Apr 18 | Oct 21 · Nov 3 · Nov 17 | 217 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Feb 26 · Mar 19 · Apr 6 | Oct 31 · Nov 13 · Dec 3 | 241 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Clemson
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 | Mar 1 – May 7 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 17 – Jul 14 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 1 – Apr 1 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 1 – Jun 1 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 18 – Apr 16 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 1 – Jun 1 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 1 – Jul 24 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 17 – Jun 1 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 1 – Jun 1 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 17 – Aug 16 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 17 – Jul 14 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 1 – Jun 1 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 24 – May 17 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 1 – Apr 16 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 1 – May 1 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 18 – Feb 14 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 18 – Apr 16 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 11 – Mar 17 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 18 – Apr 16 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 4 – Jul 14 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 3 – Aug 14 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 1 – Mar 1 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 1 – Apr 1 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 24 – Jul 24 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 24 – Aug 24 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 1 – May 17 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 24 – Sep 9 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 22 – Apr 7 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 10 – Sep 14 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 1 – Apr 21 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 24 – Sep 24 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 18 – Apr 7 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 17 – Aug 24 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 1 – May 17 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 24 – Aug 9 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 24 – Nov 24 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 29634 is matched to the NOAA station Clemson Univ, SC, 2.9 km away, at 800 ft elevation (75 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clemson Univ, SC (used) | 800 ft | Apr 1 | Nov 3 |
| Clemson Oconee Co Ap, SC | 891 ft | Mar 21 | Nov 11 |
| Sandy Springs 2 Ne, SC | 765 ft | Apr 5 | Oct 30 |
| Walhalla, SC | 980 ft | Apr 11 | Oct 30 |
Frost dates near Clemson
- Clemson, SC 29632 · last Apr 1, first Nov 3
- Central, SC 29630 · last Apr 1, first Nov 3
- Newry, SC 29665 · last Mar 21, first Nov 11
- Seneca, SC 29678 · last Mar 21, first Nov 11
- La France, SC 29656 · last Apr 5, first Oct 30
- Pendleton, SC 29670 · last Apr 5, first Oct 30
- Norris, SC 29667 · last Mar 21, first Nov 11
- Sandy Springs, SC 29677 · last Apr 5, first Oct 30
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Clemson, SC?
- For ZIP code 29634, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 1, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Clemson Univ, SC weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 18.
- When is the first frost in Clemson, SC?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 3. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 21, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 29634?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 217 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.