Frost dates for 29666Ninety Six, SC
The average last spring frost in Ninety Six is March 26 and the average first fall frost is November 12, 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 12
- Growing season
- 233 days
Safer after Apr 10 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 28 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 9 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 20 | Oct 18 · Nov 1 · Nov 16 | 210 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 3 · Mar 26 · Apr 10 | Oct 28 · Nov 12 · Dec 1 | 233 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Feb 14 · Mar 12 · Mar 31 | Nov 6 · Nov 25 · Dec 20 | 260 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Ninety Six
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 23 |
| 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 2 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 11 – May 26 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 25 – May 26 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 11 – Aug 25 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 11 – Jul 23 |
| 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 13 – Jul 23 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 12 – Aug 23 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 26 – Feb 23 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 23 – Mar 26 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 3 – Aug 2 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 2 – Sep 2 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 23 – May 11 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 2 – Sep 18 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 16 – Apr 1 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 19 – Sep 23 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 23 – Apr 15 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 2 – Oct 3 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 12 – Apr 1 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 26 – Sep 2 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 26 – May 11 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 3 – Aug 18 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Nov 2 – Dec 3 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 29666 is matched to the NOAA station Greenwood, SC, 13.6 km away, at 615 ft elevation (54 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Greenwood, SC (used) | 615 ft | Mar 26 | Nov 12 |
| Greenwood 8Ne, SC | 530 ft | Mar 22 | Nov 13 |
| Lake Greenwood, SC | 422 ft | Apr 1 | Nov 4 |
| Greenwood Co Ap, SC | 631 ft | Apr 1 | Nov 2 |
Frost dates near Ninety Six
- Greenwood, SC 29646 · last Mar 26, first Nov 12
- Cross Hill, SC 29332 · last Mar 22, first Nov 13
- Chappells, SC 29037 · last Apr 1, first Nov 4
- Waterloo, SC 29384 · last Apr 1, first Nov 2
- Mountville, SC 29370 · last Apr 1, first Nov 5
- Bradley, SC 29819 · last Mar 26, first Nov 12
- Hodges, SC 29653 · last Apr 1, first Nov 2
- Silverstreet, SC 29145 · last Mar 31, first Nov 7
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Ninety Six, SC?
- For ZIP code 29666, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 26, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Greenwood, SC weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 10.
- When is the first frost in Ninety Six, SC?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 12. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 28, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 29666?
- 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.