Frost dates for 29808Aiken, SC
The average last spring frost in Aiken is March 21 and the average first fall frost is November 7, giving a typical growing season of about 232 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 21
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 7
- Growing season
- 232 days
Safer after Apr 6 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 25 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 4 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 16 · Apr 1 · Apr 18 | Oct 16 · Oct 30 · Nov 10 | 211 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 2 · Mar 21 · Apr 6 | Oct 25 · Nov 7 · Nov 24 | 232 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Feb 14 · Mar 9 · Mar 28 | Nov 3 · Nov 19 · Dec 14 | 256 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Aiken
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 18 – Apr 26 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 6 – Jul 18 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Feb 18 – Mar 21 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Apr 20 – May 21 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 7 – Apr 5 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Apr 20 – May 21 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Apr 20 – Jul 28 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 6 – May 21 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 20 – May 21 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 6 – Aug 20 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 6 – Jul 18 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Apr 20 – May 21 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 13 – May 6 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 18 – Apr 5 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Feb 18 – Apr 20 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 7 – Feb 3 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 7 – Apr 5 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 31 – Mar 6 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 7 – Apr 5 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 8 – Jul 18 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 7 – Aug 18 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 21 – Feb 18 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 18 – Mar 21 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 28 – Jul 28 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 28 – Aug 28 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 18 – May 6 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 28 – Sep 13 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 11 – Mar 27 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 14 – Sep 18 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 18 – Apr 10 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 28 – Sep 28 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 7 – Mar 27 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 21 – Aug 28 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 21 – May 6 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 28 – Aug 13 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 28 – Nov 28 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 29808 is matched to the NOAA station Aiken 5Se, SC, 10.2 km away, at 492 ft elevation (75 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aiken 5Se, SC (used) | 492 ft | Mar 21 | Nov 7 |
| Aiken 2 E, SC | 542 ft | Mar 19 | Nov 14 |
| Graniteville 1.2 Ne, SC | 298 ft | Apr 9 | Nov 1 |
| Wagener 1Sw, SC | 380 ft | Mar 26 | Nov 9 |
Frost dates near Aiken
- Aiken, SC 29804 · last Mar 21, first Nov 7
- Montmorenci, SC 29839 · last Mar 21, first Nov 7
- Windsor, SC 29856 · last Mar 21, first Nov 7
- New Ellenton, SC 29809 · last Mar 21, first Nov 7
- Warrenville, SC 29851 · last Mar 21, first Nov 7
- Graniteville, SC 29829 · last Apr 9, first Nov 1
- Vaucluse, SC 29850 · last Apr 9, first Nov 1
- Gloverville, SC 29828 · last Mar 21, first Nov 7
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Aiken, SC?
- For ZIP code 29808, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 21, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Aiken 5Se, SC weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 6.
- When is the first frost in Aiken, SC?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 7. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 25, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 29808?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 232 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.