Frost Dates for Summerville, SC

In Summerville, SC, the average last spring frost is around Mar 22 and the average first fall frost around Nov 12, for a growing season of about 238 days. For frost-tender plants, wait until Apr 7, when the chance of frost drops to 10%.

Average last frostMar 2250% chance of frost after this date
Safe to plantApr 7only a 10% chance of frost after
Average first frostNov 1250% chance of frost before this date
Growing season238 daysfrost-free in an average year

Based on NOAA 1991–2020 records from the Summerville 4W, SC weather station, 4 miles away, elevation 65 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.

ChanceLast spring frostFirst fall frost
10%Apr 7Oct 29
20%Apr 2Nov 2
30%Mar 29Nov 6
40%Mar 26Nov 9
50%Mar 22Nov 12
60%Mar 18Nov 16
70%Mar 14Nov 20
80%Mar 9Nov 26
90%Mar 1Dec 3

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.

TemperatureLast in springFirst in fall
Light frost (36°F)Apr 3Nov 3
Frost / freeze (32°F)Mar 22Nov 12
Hard freeze (28°F)Mar 7Nov 29

Planting calendar for Summerville

Start indoors Plant outside Fall planting
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Tomatoes
Indoors Jan 25 – Feb 8
Transplant Mar 29 – Apr 12
Peppers
Indoors Jan 11 – Jan 25
Transplant Apr 5 – Apr 19
Eggplant
Indoors Jan 11 – Jan 25
Transplant Apr 5 – Apr 19
Basil
Indoors Feb 8 – Feb 22
Transplant Mar 29 – Apr 12
Cucumbers
Indoors Feb 22 – Mar 1
Sow or transplant Mar 29 – Apr 12
Zucchini and summer squash
Indoors Feb 22 – Mar 1
Sow or transplant Mar 29 – Apr 12
Pumpkins and winter squash
Sow Mar 29 – Apr 12
Watermelons and melons
Indoors Feb 22 – Mar 1
Sow or transplant Apr 5 – Apr 19
Green beans
Sow Mar 29 – Apr 12
Sweet corn
Sow Mar 29 – Apr 12
Lettuce
Indoors Feb 8 – Feb 22
Sow or transplant Feb 22 – Mar 8
Fall sowing Sep 17 – Oct 15
Spinach
Sow Feb 8 – Mar 1
Fall sowing Sep 17 – Oct 8
Peas
Sow Feb 8 – Feb 22
Fall sowing Sep 3 – Sep 17
Kale
Indoors Jan 25 – Feb 8
Sow or transplant Feb 22 – Mar 8
Fall sowing Sep 3 – Oct 1
Broccoli
Indoors Jan 25 – Feb 8
Transplant Mar 8 – Mar 22
Fall sowing Aug 20 – Sep 3
Cabbage
Indoors Jan 25 – Feb 8
Transplant Mar 1 – Mar 15
Fall sowing Aug 20 – Sep 3
Carrots
Sow Mar 1 – Mar 22
Fall sowing Aug 20 – Sep 3
Radishes
Sow Feb 15 – Mar 8
Fall sowing Oct 1 – Oct 22
Beets
Sow Mar 1 – Mar 22
Fall sowing Sep 3 – Sep 17
Onions (sets or transplants)
Indoors Dec 28 – Jan 11
Plant Feb 22 – Mar 8
Potatoes
Plant Mar 1 – Mar 15
Garlic
Plant Nov 12 – Dec 10

Based on the average last frost (Mar 22) and first frost (Nov 12). The dashed lines mark those dates. Seed packets list days to maturity; adjust for your varieties.

Nearby cities

North CharlestonGoose CreekCharlestonMount PleasantHilton Head IslandSumterBlufftonColumbiaAll South Carolina towns