Frost dates for 29916Early Branch, SC
The average last spring frost in Early Branch is March 23 and the average first fall frost is November 6, giving a typical growing season of about 233 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 23
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 6
- Growing season
- 233 days
Safer after Apr 11 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 25 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 3 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 7 · Apr 23 | Oct 16 · Oct 29 · Nov 13 | 207 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Feb 28 · Mar 23 · Apr 11 | Oct 25 · Nov 6 · Dec 1 | 233 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Feb 10 · Mar 7 · Mar 27 | Nov 3 · Nov 22 · Dec 16 | 262 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Early Branch
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 20 – Apr 28 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 8 – Jul 17 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Feb 20 – Mar 23 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Apr 22 – May 23 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 9 – Apr 7 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Apr 22 – May 23 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Apr 22 – Jul 27 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 8 – May 23 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 22 – May 23 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 8 – Aug 19 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 8 – Jul 17 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Apr 22 – May 23 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 15 – May 8 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 20 – Apr 7 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Feb 20 – Apr 22 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 9 – Feb 5 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 9 – Apr 7 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 2 – Mar 8 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 9 – Apr 7 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 7 – Jul 17 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 6 – Aug 17 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 23 – Feb 20 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 20 – Mar 23 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 27 – Jul 27 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 27 – Aug 27 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 20 – May 8 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 27 – Sep 12 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 13 – Mar 29 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 13 – Sep 17 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 20 – Apr 12 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 27 – Sep 27 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 9 – Mar 29 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 20 – Aug 27 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 23 – May 8 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 27 – Aug 12 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 27 – Nov 27 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 29916 is matched to the NOAA station Yemassee 1 N, SC, 10.7 km away, at 44 ft elevation (25 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yemassee 1 N, SC (used) | 44 ft | Mar 23 | Nov 6 |
| Hampton 1S, SC | 95 ft | Mar 6 | Nov 26 |
| Walterboro 1 Sw, SC | 56 ft | Mar 19 | Nov 12 |
| Beaufort Mcas, SC | 37 ft | Feb 28 | Dec 3 |
Frost dates near Early Branch
- Varnville, SC 29944 · last Mar 23, first Nov 6
- Coosawhatchie, SC 29912 · last Mar 23, first Nov 6
- Yemassee, SC 29945 · last Mar 23, first Nov 6
- Pineland, SC 29934 · last Mar 23, first Nov 6
- Hampton, SC 29924 · last Mar 6, first Nov 26
- Furman, SC 29921 · last Mar 23, first Nov 6
- Estill, SC 29918 · last Mar 6, first Nov 26
- Crocketville, SC 29913 · last Mar 6, first Nov 26
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Early Branch, SC?
- For ZIP code 29916, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 23, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Yemassee 1 N, SC weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 11.
- When is the first frost in Early Branch, SC?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 6. 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 29916?
- 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.