Frost dates for 29697Williamston, SC
The average last spring frost in Williamston is April 1 and the average first fall frost is November 4, giving a typical growing season of about 219 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 1
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 4
- Growing season
- 219 days
Safer after Apr 17 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 22 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 1 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 28 · Apr 13 · Apr 26 | Oct 14 · Oct 26 · Nov 8 | 197 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 14 · Apr 1 · Apr 17 | Oct 22 · Nov 4 · Nov 20 | 219 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Feb 27 · Mar 19 · Apr 5 | Nov 2 · Nov 16 · Dec 6 | 245 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Williamston
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 15 |
| 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 25 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 17 – Jun 1 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 1 – Jun 1 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 17 – Aug 17 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 17 – Jul 15 |
| 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 5 – Jul 15 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 4 – Aug 15 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 1 – Mar 1 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 1 – Apr 1 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 25 – Jul 25 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 25 – Aug 25 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 1 – May 17 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 25 – Sep 10 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 22 – Apr 7 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 11 – Sep 15 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 1 – Apr 21 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 25 – Sep 25 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 18 – Apr 7 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 18 – Aug 25 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 1 – May 17 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 25 – Aug 10 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 25 – Nov 25 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 29697 is matched to the NOAA station W Pelzer, SC, 5.7 km away, at 705 ft elevation (174 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| W Pelzer, SC (used) | 705 ft | Apr 1 | Nov 4 |
| Anderson, SC | 800 ft | Mar 23 | Nov 11 |
| Sandy Springs 2 Ne, SC | 765 ft | Apr 5 | Oct 30 |
| Anderson Co Ap, SC | 760 ft | Mar 29 | Nov 8 |
Frost dates near Williamston
- Pelzer, SC 29669 · last Apr 1, first Nov 4
- Piedmont, SC 29673 · last Apr 1, first Nov 4
- Belton, SC 29627 · last Mar 23, first Nov 11
- Anderson, SC 29621 · last Mar 23, first Nov 11
- Easley, SC 29642 · last Apr 1, first Nov 3
- Pendleton, SC 29670 · last Apr 5, first Oct 30
- Honea Path, SC 29654 · last Apr 1, first Nov 4
- Simpsonville, SC 29680 · last Mar 29, first Nov 5
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Williamston, SC?
- For ZIP code 29697, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 1, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the W Pelzer, SC weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 17.
- When is the first frost in Williamston, SC?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 4. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 22, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 29697?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 219 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.