Frost dates for 29926Hilton Head Island, SC
The average last spring frost in Hilton Head Island is February 28 and the average first fall frost is December 3, giving a typical growing season of about 279 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Feb 28
- Average first fall frost
- Dec 3
- Growing season
- 279 days
Safer after Mar 21 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Nov 14 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 30 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) | Feb 22 · Mar 14 · Mar 31 | Nov 4 · Nov 18 · Dec 8 | 249 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Feb 2 · Feb 28 · Mar 21 | Nov 14 · Dec 3 · Jan 1 | 279 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Jan 8 · Feb 8 · Mar 8 | Dec 1 · Dec 27 · Jan 28 | 312 days | 96% |
Planting calendar for Hilton Head Island
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 | Jan 28 – Apr 5 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Mar 16 – Aug 13 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Jan 28 – Feb 28 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Mar 30 – Apr 30 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Feb 14 – Mar 15 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Mar 30 – Apr 30 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Mar 30 – Aug 23 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Mar 16 – Apr 30 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Mar 30 – Apr 30 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Mar 16 – Sep 15 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Mar 16 – Aug 13 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Mar 30 – Apr 30 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Mar 23 – Apr 15 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 28 – Mar 15 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Jan 28 – Mar 30 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Dec 17 – Jan 13 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 14 – Mar 15 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 10 – Feb 13 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 14 – Mar 15 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Aug 3 – Aug 13 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Sep 2 – Sep 13 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Dec 31 – Jan 28 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Jan 28 – Feb 28 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 24 – Aug 23 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 23 – Sep 23 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 28 – Apr 15 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 23 – Oct 9 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 21 – Mar 6 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Sep 9 – Oct 14 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 28 – Mar 20 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 23 – Oct 24 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 14 – Mar 6 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 16 – Sep 23 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 28 – Apr 15 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 24 – Sep 8 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Nov 23 – Dec 24 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 29926 is matched to the NOAA station Beaufort Mcas, SC, 30.8 km away, at 37 ft elevation (31 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Beaufort Mcas, SC (used) | 37 ft | Feb 28 | Dec 3 |
| Beaufort Wwtp, SC | 25 ft | Mar 3 | Dec 9 |
| Savannah Intl Ap, GA | 46 ft | Mar 2 | Nov 30 |
| Edisto Beach Sp, SC | 5 ft | Mar 1 | Dec 6 |
Frost dates near Hilton Head Island
- Hilton Head Island, SC 29928 · last Feb 28, first Dec 3
- Bluffton, SC 29910 · last Feb 28, first Dec 3
- Parris Island, SC 29905 · last Feb 28, first Dec 3
- Daufuskie Island, SC 29915 · last Mar 2, first Nov 30
- Okatie, SC 29909 · last Feb 28, first Dec 3
- Beaufort, SC 29906 · last Feb 28, first Dec 3
- Port Royal, SC 29935 · last Feb 28, first Dec 3
- Tybee Island, GA 31328 · last Mar 2, first Nov 30
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Hilton Head Island, SC?
- For ZIP code 29926, the average last spring frost (32°F) is February 28, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Beaufort Mcas, SC weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after March 21.
- When is the first frost in Hilton Head Island, SC?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is December 3. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by November 14, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 29926?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 279 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.