Frost Dates for Charleston, SC
In Charleston, SC, the average last spring frost is around Feb 4 and the average first fall frost around Dec 30, for a growing season of about 321 days. For frost-tender plants, wait until Mar 4, when the chance of frost drops to 10%.
Based on NOAA 1991–2020 records from the Charleston City, SC weather station, 4 miles away, elevation 10 ft. Frost can come earlier in low spots and valleys and later near cities and large lakes.
Frost probability by date
Chance of a 32°F frost after the spring date, or before the fall date.
| Chance | Last spring frost | First fall frost |
|---|---|---|
| 10% | Mar 4 | Dec 2 |
| 20% | Feb 25 | Dec 10 |
| 30% | Feb 17 | Dec 20 |
| 40% | Feb 10 | Dec 25 |
| 50% | Feb 4 | Dec 30 |
| 60% | Jan 30 | Jan 3 |
| 70% | Jan 24 | Jan 9 |
| 80% | Jan 16 | Jan 15 |
| 90% | Jan 5 | Jan 25 |
Light frost vs. hard freeze
Average (50%) dates for each temperature. Tender plants are damaged at 36°F; most hardy crops survive until 28°F.
| Temperature | Last in spring | First in fall |
|---|---|---|
| Light frost (36°F) | Feb 25 | Dec 10 |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Feb 4 | Dec 30 |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Jan 24 | Jan 8 |
Planting calendar for Charleston
Transplant Feb 11 – Feb 25
Transplant Feb 18 – Mar 4
Transplant Feb 18 – Mar 4
Transplant Feb 11 – Feb 25
Sow or transplant Feb 11 – Feb 25
Sow or transplant Feb 11 – Feb 25
Sow or transplant Feb 18 – Mar 4
Sow or transplant Jan 7 – Jan 21
Fall sowing Nov 4 – Dec 2
Fall sowing Nov 4 – Nov 25
Fall sowing Oct 21 – Nov 4
Sow or transplant Jan 7 – Jan 21
Fall sowing Oct 21 – Nov 18
Transplant Jan 21 – Feb 4
Fall sowing Oct 7 – Oct 21
Transplant Jan 14 – Jan 28
Fall sowing Oct 7 – Oct 21
Fall sowing Oct 7 – Oct 21
Fall sowing Nov 18 – Dec 9
Fall sowing Oct 21 – Nov 4
Plant Jan 7 – Jan 21
Based on the average last frost (Feb 4) and first frost (Dec 30). The dashed lines mark those dates. Seed packets list days to maturity; adjust for your varieties.