Frost dates for 29741Ruby, SC
The average last spring frost in Ruby is April 1 and the average first fall frost is November 3, giving a typical growing season of about 216 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 1
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 3
- Growing season
- 216 days
Safer after Apr 17 (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 27 · Apr 13 · Apr 27 | Oct 13 · Oct 26 · Nov 6 | 197 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 16 · Apr 1 · Apr 17 | Oct 21 · Nov 3 · Nov 17 | 216 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Feb 28 · Mar 21 · Apr 6 | Oct 31 · Nov 13 · Dec 2 | 238 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Ruby
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 29741 is matched to the NOAA station Chesterfield 3 E, SC, 14.1 km away, at 205 ft elevation (162 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chesterfield 3 E, SC (used) | 205 ft | Apr 1 | Nov 3 |
| Pageland, SC | 520 ft | Mar 27 | Nov 8 |
| Wadesboro, NC | 480 ft | Mar 24 | Nov 9 |
| Cheraw, SC | 150 ft | Mar 26 | Nov 9 |
Frost dates near Ruby
- Mount Croghan, SC 29727 · last Apr 1, first Nov 3
- Chesterfield, SC 29709 · last Apr 1, first Nov 3
- Jefferson, SC 29718 · last Mar 27, first Nov 8
- Pageland, SC 29728 · last Mar 27, first Nov 8
- Mc Farlan, NC 28102 · last Apr 1, first Nov 3
- Morven, NC 28119 · last Mar 24, first Nov 9
- Patrick, SC 29584 · last Apr 1, first Nov 3
- Cheraw, SC 29520 · last Mar 26, first Nov 9
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Ruby, SC?
- For ZIP code 29741, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 1, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Chesterfield 3 E, SC weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 17.
- When is the first frost in Ruby, 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 29741?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 216 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.