Frost dates for 29853Williston, SC
The average last spring frost in Williston is March 20 and the average first fall frost is November 13, giving a typical growing season of about 238 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 20
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 13
- Growing season
- 238 days
Safer after Apr 8 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 29 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 10 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 2 · Apr 18 | Oct 20 · Nov 2 · Nov 17 | 213 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Feb 27 · Mar 20 · Apr 8 | Oct 29 · Nov 13 · Dec 2 | 238 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Feb 6 · Mar 5 · Mar 26 | Nov 9 · Nov 30 · Dec 28 | 269 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Williston
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 17 – Apr 25 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 5 – Jul 24 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Feb 17 – Mar 20 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Apr 19 – May 20 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 6 – Apr 4 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Apr 19 – May 20 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Apr 19 – Aug 3 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 5 – May 20 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 19 – May 20 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 5 – Aug 26 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 5 – Jul 24 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Apr 19 – May 20 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 12 – May 5 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 17 – Apr 4 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Feb 17 – Apr 19 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 6 – Feb 2 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 6 – Apr 4 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 30 – Mar 5 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 6 – Apr 4 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 14 – Jul 24 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 13 – Aug 24 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 20 – Feb 17 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 17 – Mar 20 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 4 – Aug 3 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 3 – Sep 3 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 17 – May 5 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 3 – Sep 19 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 10 – Mar 26 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 20 – Sep 24 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 17 – Apr 9 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 3 – Oct 4 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 6 – Mar 26 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 27 – Sep 3 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 20 – May 5 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 4 – Aug 19 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Nov 3 – Dec 4 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 29853 is matched to the NOAA station Blackville 3 W, SC, 9.2 km away, at 317 ft elevation (8 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blackville 3 W, SC (used) | 317 ft | Mar 20 | Nov 13 |
| Barnwell 5 Ene, SC | 245 ft | Mar 22 | Nov 9 |
| Wagener 1Sw, SC | 380 ft | Mar 26 | Nov 9 |
| Aiken 5Se, SC | 492 ft | Mar 21 | Nov 7 |
Frost dates near Williston
- Elko, SC 29826 · last Mar 20, first Nov 13
- Windsor, SC 29856 · last Mar 21, first Nov 7
- Blackville, SC 29817 · last Mar 20, first Nov 13
- Barnwell, SC 29812 · last Mar 20, first Nov 13
- Hilda, SC 29813 · last Mar 20, first Nov 13
- Montmorenci, SC 29839 · last Mar 21, first Nov 7
- Springfield, SC 29146 · last Mar 20, first Nov 13
- Aiken, SC 29804 · last Mar 21, first Nov 7
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Williston, SC?
- For ZIP code 29853, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 20, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Blackville 3 W, SC weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 8.
- When is the first frost in Williston, SC?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 13. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 29, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 29853?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 238 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.