Frost Dates for Charleston, SC 29424
Charleston has 10 ZIP codes. The Charleston, SC frost page lists all of them with their dates.
Last spring frost February 27 · First fall frost December 7 · 283 frost-free days · USDA Zone 7b–8a (est.)
ZIP 29424 has about 1,240 people, one of 10 ZIP codes in Charleston.
Very long season: 283 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans February 3–March 24 (49 days). Fall frost risk spans November 14–December 14 (30 days).
Frost probability for 29424
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | March 24 | February 27 | February 3 |
| Fall (first frost) | November 14 | December 7 | December 14 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at SULLIVANS IS (8.0 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 283-day season in Charleston
In Charleston (283 frost-free days, a very 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 | Jan 23 | Mar 13–Mar 20 | 241 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 241 available after Mar 13. | Aug 7 |
| Pepper | Jan 16 | Mar 13–Mar 20 | 241 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 241 available after Mar 13. | Aug 12 |
| Lettuce | Jan 2 | Jan 30–Feb 6 | 318 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 30 and again by Oct 16; both mature before Dec 14. | Oct 16 |
| Carrots | — | Feb 6–Feb 13 | 325 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 325 available after Feb 6. | Oct 5 |
| Cucumber | Feb 6 | Mar 13–Mar 20 | 255 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 13 and again by Sep 10; both mature before Nov 23. | Sep 10 |
| Beans | — | Mar 6–Mar 20 | 269 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 6 and again by Sep 17; both mature before Nov 30. | Sep 17 |
| Peas | — | Jan 2–Mar 13 | 346 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 346 available after Jan 2. | Sep 26 |
| Zucchini | Feb 13 | Mar 13–Mar 20 | 255 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 13 and again by Sep 15; both mature before Nov 23. | Sep 15 |
| Onion | Dec 5 | Jan 30–Feb 13 | 318 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 318 available after Jan 30. | — |
| Spinach | — | Jan 2–Feb 20 | 360 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 2 and again by Nov 4; both mature before Dec 28. | Nov 4 |
| Kale | Dec 19 | Jan 30–Feb 13 | 332 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 30 and again by Oct 20; both mature before Dec 28. | Oct 20 |
| Broccoli | Jan 2 | Jan 30–Feb 13 | 318 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 318 available after Jan 30. | Sep 11 |
| Cabbage | Jan 2 | Jan 30–Feb 13 | 332 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 332 available after Jan 30. | Oct 5 |
| Radish | — | Jan 2–Mar 27 | 346 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 2 and again by Nov 5; both mature before Dec 14. | Nov 5 |
| Beets | — | Jan 2–Mar 27 | 346 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 2 and again by Oct 6; both mature before Dec 14. | Oct 6 |
| Potatoes | — | Feb 13–Feb 20 | 304 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 304 available after Feb 13. | — |
| Garlic | — | Dec 7 | 388 | overwinter: Plant Dec 7 to Dec 28; harvest the following summer. | Dec 28 |
| Strawberry | — | Jan 23–Mar 20 | 339 | perennial: A perennial: plant Jan 23; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Jan 30 | Mar 6–Mar 13 | 255 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 255 available after Mar 6. | Aug 19 |
| Pumpkin | Feb 13 | Mar 13–Mar 13 | 248 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 248 available after Mar 13. | Jul 25 |
| Cauliflower | Jan 16 | Feb 20–Mar 6 | 297 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 297 available after Feb 20. | Sep 16 |
| Swiss Chard | Jan 2 | Feb 13–Feb 13 | 304 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 13 and again by Oct 6; both mature before Dec 14. | Oct 6 |
| Arugula | — | Jan 2–Mar 27 | 360 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 2 and again by Nov 4; both mature before Dec 28. | Nov 4 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Jan 2 | Jan 30–Feb 13 | 332 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 332 available after Jan 30. | Sep 5 |
| Butternut Squash | Feb 13 | Mar 13–Mar 20 | 248 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 248 available after Mar 13. | Jul 25 |
| Eggplant | Jan 9 | Mar 13–Mar 20 | 241 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 241 available after Mar 13. | Aug 17 |
| Okra | Jan 30 | Mar 6–Mar 13 | 262 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 6 and again by Sep 15; both mature before Nov 23. | Sep 15 |
| Basil | Jan 23 | Mar 20–Mar 20 | 248 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 20 and again by Sep 10; both mature before Nov 23. | Sep 10 |
| Cilantro | — | Jan 30–Feb 20 | 318 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 30 and again by Oct 11; both mature before Dec 14. | Oct 11 |
| Parsley | Dec 19 | Mar 6–Mar 13 | 283 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 283 available after Mar 6. | Sep 21 |
| Celery | Dec 19 | Mar 6–Mar 20 | 283 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 283 available after Mar 6. | Aug 2 |
| Scallions | Dec 19 | Jan 30–Feb 13 | 332 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 30 and again by Oct 15; both mature before Dec 28. | Oct 15 |
| Turnip | — | Jan 30–Feb 13 | 332 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 30 and again by Oct 25; both mature before Dec 28. | Oct 25 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Jan 16–Jan 30 | 346 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 16 and again by Oct 20; both mature before Dec 28. | Oct 20 |
| Bok Choy | Jan 30 | Feb 20–Feb 27 | 297 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 20 and again by Oct 16; both mature before Dec 14. | Oct 16 |
| Collards | Dec 19 | Jan 30–Feb 13 | 332 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 30 and again by Oct 15; both mature before Dec 28. | Oct 15 |
| Cantaloupe | Feb 13 | Mar 13–Mar 20 | 241 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 241 available after Mar 13. | Aug 2 |
| Chives | Dec 5 | Mar 6–Mar 13 | 297 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 297 available after Mar 6. | — |
| Dill | — | Jan 2–Mar 27 | 346 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 2 and again by Oct 6; both mature before Dec 14. | Oct 6 |
| Oregano | Dec 19 | Mar 6–Mar 13 | 297 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 297 available after Mar 6. | — |
| Rosemary | Dec 5 | Mar 6–Mar 13 | 283 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 283 available after Mar 6. | — |
| Sage | Jan 2 | Mar 6–Mar 13 | 297 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 297 available after Mar 6. | — |
| Thyme | Dec 19 | Mar 6–Mar 13 | 297 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 297 available after Mar 6. | — |
| Calendula | Jan 16 | Feb 13–Feb 27 | 304 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 13 and again by Oct 11; both mature before Dec 14. | Oct 11 |
| Cosmos | Jan 30 | Feb 27–Mar 13 | 269 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 27 and again by Sep 10; both mature before Nov 23. | Sep 10 |
| Lavender | Dec 5 | Feb 27–Mar 13 | 304 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 304 available after Feb 27. | — |
| Marigolds | Jan 16 | Feb 27–Mar 6 | 269 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 27 and again by Sep 20; both mature before Nov 23. | Sep 20 |
| Melons | Feb 13 | Mar 13–Mar 20 | 241 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 241 available after Mar 13. | Aug 2 |
| Mint | — | Feb 27–Mar 13 | 304 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 304 available after Feb 27. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Jan 30 | Feb 27–Mar 6 | 269 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 27 and again by Sep 15; both mature before Nov 23. | Sep 15 |
| Pole Beans | — | Mar 6–Mar 20 | 262 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 262 available after Mar 6. | Sep 5 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Feb 13 | Mar 13–Mar 20 | 248 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 248 available after Mar 13. | Aug 4 |
| Sunflowers | — | Feb 27–Mar 13 | 269 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 269 available after Feb 27. | Aug 31 |
| Tomatillos | Jan 2 | Mar 6–Mar 13 | 248 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 248 available after Mar 6. | Aug 12 |
| Watermelon | Feb 13 | Mar 6–Mar 13 | 248 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 248 available after Mar 6. | Aug 7 |
| Yellow Squash | Feb 13 | Mar 13–Mar 20 | 255 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 13 and again by Sep 15; both mature before Nov 23. | Sep 15 |
| Zinnias | Jan 30 | Feb 27–Mar 13 | 269 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 27 and again by Sep 10; both mature before Nov 23. | Sep 10 |
Month by month in Charleston
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Start indoors: Broccoli (Jan 2), Brussel Sprouts (Jan 2), Cabbage (Jan 2), Lettuce (Jan 2), Sage (Jan 2), Swiss Chard (Jan 2), +14 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Jan 2), Beets (Jan 2), Dill (Jan 2), Peas (Jan 2), Radish (Jan 2), Spinach (Jan 2), +3 more. Transplant from: Broccoli (Jan 30), Brussel Sprouts (Jan 30), Cabbage (Jan 30), Collards (Jan 30), Kale (Jan 30), Lettuce (Jan 30), +2 more. Plant: Strawberry (Jan 23). |
| February | Start indoors: Cucumber (Feb 6), Butternut Squash (Feb 13), Cantaloupe (Feb 13), Melons (Feb 13), Pumpkin (Feb 13), Spaghetti Squash (Feb 13), +3 more. Direct sow from: Carrots (Feb 6), Potatoes (Feb 13), Sunflowers (Feb 27). Transplant from: Calendula (Feb 13), Swiss Chard (Feb 13), Bok Choy (Feb 20), Cauliflower (Feb 20), Cosmos (Feb 27), Lavender (Feb 27), +4 more. Last frost around February 27. |
| March | Direct sow from: Beans (Mar 6), Pole Beans (Mar 6). Transplant from: Celery (Mar 6), Chives (Mar 6), Corn (Mar 6), Okra (Mar 6), Oregano (Mar 6), Parsley (Mar 6), +17 more. |
| April | Succession plant lettuce and greens. Keep beds weeded and watered consistently. |
| May | Harvest regularly to encourage production. Monitor for pests and disease. |
| June | Midsummer: harvest beans, zucchini, cucumbers. Start brassica seeds indoors for fall. |
| July | Last sowing dates: Butternut Squash (Jul 25), Pumpkin (Jul 25). |
| August | Last sowing dates: Cantaloupe (Aug 2), Celery (Aug 2), Melons (Aug 2), Spaghetti Squash (Aug 4), Tomato (Aug 7), Watermelon (Aug 7), +5 more. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Brussel Sprouts (Sep 5), Pole Beans (Sep 5), Basil (Sep 10), Cosmos (Sep 10), Cucumber (Sep 10), Zinnias (Sep 10), +10 more. |
| October | Last sowing dates: Cabbage (Oct 5), Carrots (Oct 5), Beets (Oct 6), Dill (Oct 6), Swiss Chard (Oct 6), Calendula (Oct 11), +8 more. |
| November | Last sowing dates: Arugula (Nov 4), Spinach (Nov 4), Radish (Nov 5). |
| December | Start indoors: Chives (Dec 5), Lavender (Dec 5), Onion (Dec 5), Rosemary (Dec 5), Celery (Dec 19), Collards (Dec 19), +5 more. Direct sow from: Garlic (Dec 7). First frost around December 7. Last sowing dates: Garlic (Dec 28). |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the last frost date for Charleston, SC (ZIP 29424)?
The median last spring frost date for Charleston, SC (ZIP code 29424) is around February 27. 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 February 3; one in ten it runs past March 24.
What is the first fall frost date in Charleston, SC?
The median first fall frost date for Charleston, SC is around December 7. 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 November 14 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Charleston, SC?
The frost-free growing season in Charleston is about 283 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 Charleston (283 frost-free days, a very long season), 30 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 25 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.
What USDA hardiness zone is Charleston, SC?
Charleston, SC is approximately in USDA zone 7b–8a. The 2023 USDA map does not list ZIP 29424, so this is estimated from local frost patterns; check the USDA map for your exact address.
When should I start tomatoes indoors in Charleston, SC?
Start tomatoes indoors Jan 23 and plant out Mar 13 in Charleston. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Charleston?
Two: plant Jan 30 and again by Oct 16; both mature before Dec 14.
When do I plant garlic in Charleston?
Dec 7 to Dec 28; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Can I get two tomato crops in Charleston?
Yes: plant out Mar 13 for a summer crop, and set out a second round of transplants by Aug 7 for a fall crop.
Nearby and related
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- When to plant in Charleston, SC: month-by-month guide
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