Frost Dates for Aiken, SC 29803
Last spring frost March 30 · First fall frost November 3 · 218 frost-free days · USDA Zone 8b
ZIP 29803 has about 40,700 people, the largest of 3 ZIP codes in Aiken.
Long season: 218 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans March 14–April 16 (33 days). Fall frost risk spans October 15–November 21 (37 days).
Frost probability for 29803
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | April 16 | March 30 | March 14 |
| Fall (first frost) | October 15 | November 3 | November 21 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at AUGUSTA BUSH FLD AP (26.5 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Frost dates by ZIP code in Aiken, SC
| ZIP | Last spring frost (50%) | First fall frost (50%) | Zone |
|---|---|---|---|
| 29803 | March 30 | November 3 | 8b |
| 29801 | March 30 | November 3 | 8b |
| 29805 | April 5 | October 31 | 8b |
Which crops fit a 218-day season in Aiken
In Aiken (218 frost-free days, a long season), 30 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 25 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.
| Crop | Start indoors | Plant out / sow | Days you have | Verdict | Last sow date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tomato | Feb 23 | Apr 13–Apr 20 | 176 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 176 available after Apr 13. | Jul 4 |
| Pepper | Feb 16 | Apr 13–Apr 20 | 176 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 176 available after Apr 13. | Jul 9 |
| Lettuce | Feb 2 | Mar 2–Mar 9 | 253 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 2 and again by Sep 12; both mature before Nov 10. | Sep 12 |
| Carrots | — | Mar 9–Mar 16 | 260 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 260 available after Mar 9. | Sep 1 |
| Cucumber | Mar 9 | Apr 13–Apr 20 | 190 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 13 and again by Aug 7; both mature before Oct 20. | Aug 7 |
| Beans | — | Apr 6–Apr 20 | 204 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 6 and again by Aug 14; both mature before Oct 27. | Aug 14 |
| Peas | — | Feb 2–Apr 13 | 281 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 281 available after Feb 2. | Aug 23 |
| Zucchini | Mar 16 | Apr 13–Apr 20 | 190 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 13 and again by Aug 12; both mature before Oct 20. | Aug 12 |
| Onion | Jan 5 | Mar 2–Mar 16 | 253 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 253 available after Mar 2. | — |
| Spinach | — | Feb 2–Mar 23 | 295 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 2 and again by Oct 1; both mature before Nov 24. | Oct 1 |
| Kale | Jan 19 | Mar 2–Mar 16 | 267 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 2 and again by Sep 16; both mature before Nov 24. | Sep 16 |
| Broccoli | Feb 2 | Mar 2–Mar 16 | 253 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 253 available after Mar 2. | Aug 8 |
| Cabbage | Feb 2 | Mar 2–Mar 16 | 267 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 267 available after Mar 2. | Sep 1 |
| Radish | — | Feb 2–Apr 27 | 281 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 2 and again by Oct 2; both mature before Nov 10. | Oct 2 |
| Beets | — | Feb 2–Apr 27 | 281 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 2 and again by Sep 2; both mature before Nov 10. | Sep 2 |
| Potatoes | — | Mar 16–Mar 23 | 239 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 239 available after Mar 16. | — |
| Garlic | — | Nov 3 | 323 | overwinter: Plant Nov 3 to Nov 24; harvest the following summer. | Nov 24 |
| Strawberry | — | Feb 23–Apr 20 | 274 | perennial: A perennial: plant Feb 23; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Mar 2 | Apr 6–Apr 13 | 190 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 190 available after Apr 6. | Jul 16 |
| Pumpkin | Mar 16 | Apr 13–Apr 13 | 183 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 183 available after Apr 13. | Jun 21 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 16 | Mar 23–Apr 6 | 232 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 232 available after Mar 23. | Aug 13 |
| Swiss Chard | Feb 2 | Mar 16–Mar 16 | 239 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 16 and again by Sep 2; both mature before Nov 10. | Sep 2 |
| Arugula | — | Feb 2–Apr 27 | 295 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 2 and again by Oct 1; both mature before Nov 24. | Oct 1 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Feb 2 | Mar 2–Mar 16 | 267 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 267 available after Mar 2. | Aug 2 |
| Butternut Squash | Mar 16 | Apr 13–Apr 20 | 183 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 183 available after Apr 13. | Jun 21 |
| Eggplant | Feb 9 | Apr 13–Apr 20 | 176 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 176 available after Apr 13. | Jul 14 |
| Okra | Mar 2 | Apr 6–Apr 13 | 197 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 6 and again by Aug 12; both mature before Oct 20. | Aug 12 |
| Basil | Feb 23 | Apr 20–Apr 20 | 183 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 20 and again by Aug 7; both mature before Oct 20. | Aug 7 |
| Cilantro | — | Mar 2–Mar 23 | 253 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 2 and again by Sep 7; both mature before Nov 10. | Sep 7 |
| Parsley | Jan 19 | Apr 6–Apr 13 | 218 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 218 available after Apr 6. | Aug 18 |
| Celery | Jan 19 | Apr 6–Apr 20 | 218 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 218 available after Apr 6. | Jun 29 |
| Scallions | Jan 19 | Mar 2–Mar 16 | 267 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 2 and again by Sep 11; both mature before Nov 24. | Sep 11 |
| Turnip | — | Mar 2–Mar 16 | 267 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 2 and again by Sep 21; both mature before Nov 24. | Sep 21 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Feb 16–Mar 2 | 281 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 16 and again by Sep 16; both mature before Nov 24. | Sep 16 |
| Bok Choy | Mar 2 | Mar 23–Mar 30 | 232 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 23 and again by Sep 12; both mature before Nov 10. | Sep 12 |
| Collards | Jan 19 | Mar 2–Mar 16 | 267 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 2 and again by Sep 11; both mature before Nov 24. | Sep 11 |
| Cantaloupe | Mar 16 | Apr 13–Apr 20 | 176 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 176 available after Apr 13. | Jun 29 |
| Chives | Jan 5 | Apr 6–Apr 13 | 232 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 232 available after Apr 6. | — |
| Dill | — | Feb 2–Apr 27 | 281 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 2 and again by Sep 2; both mature before Nov 10. | Sep 2 |
| Oregano | Jan 19 | Apr 6–Apr 13 | 232 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 232 available after Apr 6. | — |
| Rosemary | Jan 5 | Apr 6–Apr 13 | 218 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 218 available after Apr 6. | — |
| Sage | Feb 2 | Apr 6–Apr 13 | 232 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 232 available after Apr 6. | — |
| Thyme | Jan 19 | Apr 6–Apr 13 | 232 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 232 available after Apr 6. | — |
| Calendula | Feb 16 | Mar 16–Mar 30 | 239 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 16 and again by Sep 7; both mature before Nov 10. | Sep 7 |
| Cosmos | Mar 2 | Mar 30–Apr 13 | 204 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 30 and again by Aug 7; both mature before Oct 20. | Aug 7 |
| Lavender | Jan 5 | Mar 30–Apr 13 | 239 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 239 available after Mar 30. | — |
| Marigolds | Feb 16 | Mar 30–Apr 6 | 204 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 30 and again by Aug 17; both mature before Oct 20. | Aug 17 |
| Melons | Mar 16 | Apr 13–Apr 20 | 176 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 176 available after Apr 13. | Jun 29 |
| Mint | — | Mar 30–Apr 13 | 239 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 239 available after Mar 30. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Mar 2 | Mar 30–Apr 6 | 204 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 30 and again by Aug 12; both mature before Oct 20. | Aug 12 |
| Pole Beans | — | Apr 6–Apr 20 | 197 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 197 available after Apr 6. | Aug 2 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Mar 16 | Apr 13–Apr 20 | 183 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 183 available after Apr 13. | Jul 1 |
| Sunflowers | — | Mar 30–Apr 13 | 204 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 204 available after Mar 30. | Jul 28 |
| Tomatillos | Feb 2 | Apr 6–Apr 13 | 183 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 183 available after Apr 6. | Jul 9 |
| Watermelon | Mar 16 | Apr 6–Apr 13 | 183 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 183 available after Apr 6. | Jul 4 |
| Yellow Squash | Mar 16 | Apr 13–Apr 20 | 190 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 13 and again by Aug 12; both mature before Oct 20. | Aug 12 |
| Zinnias | Mar 2 | Mar 30–Apr 13 | 204 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 30 and again by Aug 7; both mature before Oct 20. | Aug 7 |
Month by month in Aiken
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Start indoors: Chives (Jan 5), Lavender (Jan 5), Onion (Jan 5), Rosemary (Jan 5), Celery (Jan 19), Collards (Jan 19), +5 more. |
| February | Start indoors: Broccoli (Feb 2), Brussel Sprouts (Feb 2), Cabbage (Feb 2), Lettuce (Feb 2), Sage (Feb 2), Swiss Chard (Feb 2), +8 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Feb 2), Beets (Feb 2), Dill (Feb 2), Peas (Feb 2), Radish (Feb 2), Spinach (Feb 2), +1 more. Plant: Strawberry (Feb 23). |
| March | Start indoors: Bok Choy (Mar 2), Corn (Mar 2), Cosmos (Mar 2), Nasturtiums (Mar 2), Okra (Mar 2), Zinnias (Mar 2), +9 more. Direct sow from: Cilantro (Mar 2), Turnip (Mar 2), Carrots (Mar 9), Potatoes (Mar 16), Sunflowers (Mar 30). Transplant from: Broccoli (Mar 2), Brussel Sprouts (Mar 2), Cabbage (Mar 2), Collards (Mar 2), Kale (Mar 2), Lettuce (Mar 2), +12 more. Last frost around March 30. |
| April | Direct sow from: Beans (Apr 6), Pole Beans (Apr 6). Transplant from: Celery (Apr 6), Chives (Apr 6), Corn (Apr 6), Okra (Apr 6), Oregano (Apr 6), Parsley (Apr 6), +17 more. |
| May | Succession plant lettuce and greens. Keep beds weeded and watered consistently. |
| June | Last sowing dates: Butternut Squash (Jun 21), Pumpkin (Jun 21), Cantaloupe (Jun 29), Celery (Jun 29), Melons (Jun 29). |
| July | Last sowing dates: Spaghetti Squash (Jul 1), Tomato (Jul 4), Watermelon (Jul 4), Pepper (Jul 9), Tomatillos (Jul 9), Eggplant (Jul 14), +2 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Brussel Sprouts (Aug 2), Pole Beans (Aug 2), Basil (Aug 7), Cosmos (Aug 7), Cucumber (Aug 7), Zinnias (Aug 7), +10 more. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Cabbage (Sep 1), Carrots (Sep 1), Beets (Sep 2), Dill (Sep 2), Swiss Chard (Sep 2), Calendula (Sep 7), +8 more. |
| October | Last sowing dates: Arugula (Oct 1), Spinach (Oct 1), Radish (Oct 2). |
| November | Direct sow from: Garlic (Nov 3). First frost around November 3. Last sowing dates: Garlic (Nov 24). |
| December | Harvest remaining cold-hardy crops: kale, carrots, and beets. Plant garlic bulbs for next year. |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the last frost date for Aiken, SC (ZIP 29803)?
The median last spring frost date for Aiken, SC (ZIP code 29803) is around March 30. This is the 50th-percentile date — meaning half of all years see frost end before this date. Use the 10% and 90% dates to understand the full range of risk in your area. One year in ten frost ends before March 14; one in ten it runs past April 16.
What is the first fall frost date in Aiken, SC?
The median first fall frost date for Aiken, SC is around November 3. Plan to harvest or protect frost-sensitive crops like tomatoes and peppers at least a week before this date to avoid losses. The first frost arrives around October 15 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Aiken, SC?
The frost-free growing season in Aiken is about 218 days. This window — from your last spring frost to your first fall frost — is when warm-season vegetables thrive. Cold-hardy crops like kale, spinach, and peas can extend your season by weeks on either side. In Aiken (218 frost-free days, a long season), 30 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 25 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.
What USDA hardiness zone is Aiken, SC?
Aiken, SC is in USDA hardiness zone 8b (2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map). Zones come from the average coldest winter temperature, so they tell you which perennials survive the winter; the frost dates on this page tell you when to plant.
When should I start tomatoes indoors in Aiken, SC?
Start tomatoes indoors Feb 23 and plant out Apr 13 in Aiken. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Aiken?
Two: plant Mar 2 and again by Sep 12; both mature before Nov 10.
When do I plant garlic in Aiken?
Nov 3 to Nov 24; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Can I get two tomato crops in Aiken?
Yes: plant out Apr 13 for a summer crop, and set out a second round of transplants by Jul 4 for a fall crop.
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