Frost Dates for Chester, SC 29706
Last spring frost April 4 · First fall frost November 3 · 213 frost-free days · USDA Zone 8a
ZIP 29706 has about 18,700 people.
Long season: 213 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans March 17–April 22 (36 days). Fall frost risk spans October 18–November 20 (33 days).
Frost probability for 29706
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | April 22 | April 4 | March 17 |
| Fall (first frost) | October 18 | November 3 | November 20 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at SANTUCK (28.1 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 213-day season in Chester
In Chester (213 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 28 | Apr 18–Apr 25 | 171 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 171 available after Apr 18. | Jul 4 |
| Pepper | Feb 21 | Apr 18–Apr 25 | 171 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 171 available after Apr 18. | Jul 9 |
| Lettuce | Feb 7 | Mar 7–Mar 14 | 248 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 7 and again by Sep 12; both mature before Nov 10. | Sep 12 |
| Carrots | — | Mar 14–Mar 21 | 255 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 255 available after Mar 14. | Sep 1 |
| Cucumber | Mar 14 | Apr 18–Apr 25 | 185 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 18 and again by Aug 7; both mature before Oct 20. | Aug 7 |
| Beans | — | Apr 11–Apr 25 | 199 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 11 and again by Aug 14; both mature before Oct 27. | Aug 14 |
| Peas | — | Feb 7–Apr 18 | 276 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 276 available after Feb 7. | Aug 23 |
| Zucchini | Mar 21 | Apr 18–Apr 25 | 185 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 18 and again by Aug 12; both mature before Oct 20. | Aug 12 |
| Onion | Jan 10 | Mar 7–Mar 21 | 248 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 248 available after Mar 7. | — |
| Spinach | — | Feb 7–Mar 28 | 290 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 7 and again by Oct 1; both mature before Nov 24. | Oct 1 |
| Kale | Jan 24 | Mar 7–Mar 21 | 262 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 7 and again by Sep 16; both mature before Nov 24. | Sep 16 |
| Broccoli | Feb 7 | Mar 7–Mar 21 | 248 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 248 available after Mar 7. | Aug 8 |
| Cabbage | Feb 7 | Mar 7–Mar 21 | 262 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 262 available after Mar 7. | Sep 1 |
| Radish | — | Feb 7–May 2 | 276 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 7 and again by Oct 2; both mature before Nov 10. | Oct 2 |
| Beets | — | Feb 7–May 2 | 276 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 7 and again by Sep 2; both mature before Nov 10. | Sep 2 |
| Potatoes | — | Mar 21–Mar 28 | 234 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 234 available after Mar 21. | — |
| Garlic | — | Nov 3 | 318 | overwinter: Plant Nov 3 to Nov 24; harvest the following summer. | Nov 24 |
| Strawberry | — | Feb 28–Apr 25 | 269 | perennial: A perennial: plant Feb 28; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Mar 7 | Apr 11–Apr 18 | 185 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 185 available after Apr 11. | Jul 16 |
| Pumpkin | Mar 21 | Apr 18–Apr 18 | 178 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 178 available after Apr 18. | Jun 21 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 21 | Mar 28–Apr 11 | 227 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 227 available after Mar 28. | Aug 13 |
| Swiss Chard | Feb 7 | Mar 21–Mar 21 | 234 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 21 and again by Sep 2; both mature before Nov 10. | Sep 2 |
| Arugula | — | Feb 7–May 2 | 290 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 7 and again by Oct 1; both mature before Nov 24. | Oct 1 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Feb 7 | Mar 7–Mar 21 | 262 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 262 available after Mar 7. | Aug 2 |
| Butternut Squash | Mar 21 | Apr 18–Apr 25 | 178 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 178 available after Apr 18. | Jun 21 |
| Eggplant | Feb 14 | Apr 18–Apr 25 | 171 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 171 available after Apr 18. | Jul 14 |
| Okra | Mar 7 | Apr 11–Apr 18 | 192 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 11 and again by Aug 12; both mature before Oct 20. | Aug 12 |
| Basil | Feb 28 | Apr 25–Apr 25 | 178 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 25 and again by Aug 7; both mature before Oct 20. | Aug 7 |
| Cilantro | — | Mar 7–Mar 28 | 248 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 7 and again by Sep 7; both mature before Nov 10. | Sep 7 |
| Parsley | Jan 24 | Apr 11–Apr 18 | 213 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 213 available after Apr 11. | Aug 18 |
| Celery | Jan 24 | Apr 11–Apr 25 | 213 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 213 available after Apr 11. | Jun 29 |
| Scallions | Jan 24 | Mar 7–Mar 21 | 262 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 7 and again by Sep 11; both mature before Nov 24. | Sep 11 |
| Turnip | — | Mar 7–Mar 21 | 262 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 7 and again by Sep 21; both mature before Nov 24. | Sep 21 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Feb 21–Mar 7 | 276 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 21 and again by Sep 16; both mature before Nov 24. | Sep 16 |
| Bok Choy | Mar 7 | Mar 28–Apr 4 | 227 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 28 and again by Sep 12; both mature before Nov 10. | Sep 12 |
| Collards | Jan 24 | Mar 7–Mar 21 | 262 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 7 and again by Sep 11; both mature before Nov 24. | Sep 11 |
| Cantaloupe | Mar 21 | Apr 18–Apr 25 | 171 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 171 available after Apr 18. | Jun 29 |
| Chives | Jan 10 | Apr 11–Apr 18 | 227 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 227 available after Apr 11. | — |
| Dill | — | Feb 7–May 2 | 276 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 7 and again by Sep 2; both mature before Nov 10. | Sep 2 |
| Oregano | Jan 24 | Apr 11–Apr 18 | 227 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 227 available after Apr 11. | — |
| Rosemary | Jan 10 | Apr 11–Apr 18 | 213 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 213 available after Apr 11. | — |
| Sage | Feb 7 | Apr 11–Apr 18 | 227 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 227 available after Apr 11. | — |
| Thyme | Jan 24 | Apr 11–Apr 18 | 227 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 227 available after Apr 11. | — |
| Calendula | Feb 21 | Mar 21–Apr 4 | 234 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 21 and again by Sep 7; both mature before Nov 10. | Sep 7 |
| Cosmos | Mar 7 | Apr 4–Apr 18 | 199 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 4 and again by Aug 7; both mature before Oct 20. | Aug 7 |
| Lavender | Jan 10 | Apr 4–Apr 18 | 234 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 234 available after Apr 4. | — |
| Marigolds | Feb 21 | Apr 4–Apr 11 | 199 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 4 and again by Aug 17; both mature before Oct 20. | Aug 17 |
| Melons | Mar 21 | Apr 18–Apr 25 | 171 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 171 available after Apr 18. | Jun 29 |
| Mint | — | Apr 4–Apr 18 | 234 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 234 available after Apr 4. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Mar 7 | Apr 4–Apr 11 | 199 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 4 and again by Aug 12; both mature before Oct 20. | Aug 12 |
| Pole Beans | — | Apr 11–Apr 25 | 192 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 192 available after Apr 11. | Aug 2 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Mar 21 | Apr 18–Apr 25 | 178 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 178 available after Apr 18. | Jul 1 |
| Sunflowers | — | Apr 4–Apr 18 | 199 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 199 available after Apr 4. | Jul 28 |
| Tomatillos | Feb 7 | Apr 11–Apr 18 | 178 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 178 available after Apr 11. | Jul 9 |
| Watermelon | Mar 21 | Apr 11–Apr 18 | 178 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 178 available after Apr 11. | Jul 4 |
| Yellow Squash | Mar 21 | Apr 18–Apr 25 | 185 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 18 and again by Aug 12; both mature before Oct 20. | Aug 12 |
| Zinnias | Mar 7 | Apr 4–Apr 18 | 199 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 4 and again by Aug 7; both mature before Oct 20. | Aug 7 |
Month by month in Chester
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Start indoors: Chives (Jan 10), Lavender (Jan 10), Onion (Jan 10), Rosemary (Jan 10), Celery (Jan 24), Collards (Jan 24), +5 more. |
| February | Start indoors: Broccoli (Feb 7), Brussel Sprouts (Feb 7), Cabbage (Feb 7), Lettuce (Feb 7), Sage (Feb 7), Swiss Chard (Feb 7), +8 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Feb 7), Beets (Feb 7), Dill (Feb 7), Peas (Feb 7), Radish (Feb 7), Spinach (Feb 7), +1 more. Plant: Strawberry (Feb 28). |
| March | Start indoors: Bok Choy (Mar 7), Corn (Mar 7), Cosmos (Mar 7), Nasturtiums (Mar 7), Okra (Mar 7), Zinnias (Mar 7), +9 more. Direct sow from: Cilantro (Mar 7), Turnip (Mar 7), Carrots (Mar 14), Potatoes (Mar 21). Transplant from: Broccoli (Mar 7), Brussel Sprouts (Mar 7), Cabbage (Mar 7), Collards (Mar 7), Kale (Mar 7), Lettuce (Mar 7), +6 more. |
| April | Direct sow from: Sunflowers (Apr 4), Beans (Apr 11), Pole Beans (Apr 11). Transplant from: Cosmos (Apr 4), Lavender (Apr 4), Marigolds (Apr 4), Mint (Apr 4), Nasturtiums (Apr 4), Zinnias (Apr 4), +23 more. Last frost around April 4. |
| May | Frost has passed. Transplant tomatoes, peppers, and basil outdoors. Direct sow beans, cucumbers, squash, and zucchini. |
| 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 Chester, SC (ZIP 29706)?
The median last spring frost date for Chester, SC (ZIP code 29706) is around April 4. 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 17; one in ten it runs past April 22.
What is the first fall frost date in Chester, SC?
The median first fall frost date for Chester, 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 18 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Chester, SC?
The frost-free growing season in Chester is about 213 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 Chester (213 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 Chester, SC?
Chester, SC is in USDA hardiness zone 8a (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 Chester, SC?
Start tomatoes indoors Feb 28 and plant out Apr 18 in Chester. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Chester?
Two: plant Mar 7 and again by Sep 12; both mature before Nov 10.
When do I plant garlic in Chester?
Nov 3 to Nov 24; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Can I get two tomato crops in Chester?
Yes: plant out Apr 18 for a summer crop, and set out a second round of transplants by Jul 4 for a fall crop.
Which nearby ZIP has a longer season?
Rock Hill (ZIP 29730) has 224 frost-free days, 11 more than Chester (ZIP 29706). See Rock Hill ZIP 29730 frost dates
Nearby and related
- Frost dates for Rock Hill, SC 29730 (16.7 mi)
- Frost dates for York, SC 29745 (19.2 mi)
- Frost dates for Rock Hill, SC 29732 (19.4 mi)
- Frost dates for Union, SC 29379 (21.3 mi)
- Frost dates for Winnsboro, SC 29180 (25.5 mi)
- When to plant in SC
- When to plant Peppers in SC
- When to plant Cucumbers in SC
- When to plant Zucchini in SC
- When to plant Butternut Squash in SC
- When to plant Basil in SC
- When to plant Sweet Corn in SC
- Look up another ZIP