Frost dates for 29923Gifford, SC
The average last spring frost in Gifford is March 28 and the average first fall frost is November 7, giving a typical growing season of about 224 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 28
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 7
- Growing season
- 224 days
Safer after Apr 13 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 23 (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 24 · Apr 8 · Apr 26 | Oct 14 · Oct 30 · Nov 11 | 203 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 8 · Mar 28 · Apr 13 | Oct 23 · Nov 7 · Nov 23 | 224 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Feb 20 · Mar 13 · Apr 1 | Nov 3 · Nov 19 · Dec 8 | 252 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Gifford
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 25 – May 3 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 13 – Jul 18 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Feb 25 – Mar 28 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Apr 27 – May 28 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 14 – Apr 12 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Apr 27 – May 28 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Apr 27 – Jul 28 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 13 – May 28 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 27 – May 28 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 13 – Aug 20 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 13 – Jul 18 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Apr 27 – May 28 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 20 – May 13 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 25 – Apr 12 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Feb 25 – Apr 27 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 14 – Feb 10 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 14 – Apr 12 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 7 – Mar 13 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 14 – Apr 12 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 8 – Jul 18 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 7 – Aug 18 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 28 – Feb 25 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 25 – Mar 28 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 28 – Jul 28 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 28 – Aug 28 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 25 – May 13 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 28 – Sep 13 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 18 – Apr 3 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 14 – Sep 18 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 25 – Apr 17 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 28 – Sep 28 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 14 – Apr 3 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 21 – Aug 28 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 28 – May 13 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 28 – Aug 13 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 28 – Nov 28 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 29923 is matched to the NOAA station Allendale 2 Nw, SC, 18.9 km away, at 180 ft elevation (42 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Allendale 2 Nw, SC (used) | 180 ft | Mar 28 | Nov 7 |
| Hampton 1S, SC | 95 ft | Mar 6 | Nov 26 |
| Yemassee 1 N, SC | 44 ft | Mar 23 | Nov 6 |
| Barnwell 5 Ene, SC | 245 ft | Mar 22 | Nov 9 |
Frost dates near Gifford
- Luray, SC 29932 · last Mar 28, first Nov 7
- Fairfax, SC 29827 · last Mar 28, first Nov 7
- Brunson, SC 29911 · last Mar 28, first Nov 7
- Hampton, SC 29924 · last Mar 6, first Nov 26
- Estill, SC 29918 · last Mar 6, first Nov 26
- Crocketville, SC 29913 · last Mar 6, first Nov 26
- Allendale, SC 29810 · last Mar 28, first Nov 7
- Sycamore, SC 29846 · last Mar 28, first Nov 7
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Gifford, SC?
- For ZIP code 29923, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 28, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Allendale 2 Nw, SC weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 13.
- When is the first frost in Gifford, SC?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 7. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 23, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 29923?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 224 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.