Frost Dates for Clemson, SC 29631
Last spring frost April 3 · First fall frost November 2 · 213 frost-free days · USDA Zone 8a
ZIP 29631 has about 16,800 people, the largest of 2 ZIP codes in Clemson.
Long season: 213 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans March 17–April 21 (35 days). Fall frost risk spans October 16–November 21 (36 days).
Frost probability for 29631
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | April 21 | April 3 | March 17 |
| Fall (first frost) | October 16 | November 2 | November 21 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at CLEMSON UNIV (2.4 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Frost dates by ZIP code in Clemson, SC
| ZIP | Last spring frost (50%) | First fall frost (50%) | Zone |
|---|---|---|---|
| 29631 | April 3 | November 2 | 8a |
| 29634 | April 3 | November 2 | 8b |
Which crops fit a 213-day season in Clemson
In Clemson (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 27 | Apr 17–Apr 24 | 171 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 171 available after Apr 17. | Jul 3 |
| Pepper | Feb 20 | Apr 17–Apr 24 | 171 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 171 available after Apr 17. | Jul 8 |
| Lettuce | Feb 6 | Mar 6–Mar 13 | 248 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 6 and again by Sep 11; both mature before Nov 9. | Sep 11 |
| Carrots | — | Mar 13–Mar 20 | 255 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 255 available after Mar 13. | Aug 31 |
| Cucumber | Mar 13 | Apr 17–Apr 24 | 185 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 17 and again by Aug 6; both mature before Oct 19. | Aug 6 |
| Beans | — | Apr 10–Apr 24 | 199 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 10 and again by Aug 13; both mature before Oct 26. | Aug 13 |
| Peas | — | Feb 6–Apr 17 | 276 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 276 available after Feb 6. | Aug 22 |
| Zucchini | Mar 20 | Apr 17–Apr 24 | 185 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 17 and again by Aug 11; both mature before Oct 19. | Aug 11 |
| Onion | Jan 9 | Mar 6–Mar 20 | 248 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 248 available after Mar 6. | — |
| Spinach | — | Feb 6–Mar 27 | 290 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 6 and again by Sep 30; both mature before Nov 23. | Sep 30 |
| Kale | Jan 23 | Mar 6–Mar 20 | 262 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 6 and again by Sep 15; both mature before Nov 23. | Sep 15 |
| Broccoli | Feb 6 | Mar 6–Mar 20 | 248 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 248 available after Mar 6. | Aug 7 |
| Cabbage | Feb 6 | Mar 6–Mar 20 | 262 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 262 available after Mar 6. | Aug 31 |
| Radish | — | Feb 6–May 1 | 276 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 6 and again by Oct 1; both mature before Nov 9. | Oct 1 |
| Beets | — | Feb 6–May 1 | 276 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 6 and again by Sep 1; both mature before Nov 9. | Sep 1 |
| Potatoes | — | Mar 20–Mar 27 | 234 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 234 available after Mar 20. | — |
| Garlic | — | Nov 2 | 318 | overwinter: Plant Nov 2 to Nov 23; harvest the following summer. | Nov 23 |
| Strawberry | — | Feb 27–Apr 24 | 269 | perennial: A perennial: plant Feb 27; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Mar 6 | Apr 10–Apr 17 | 185 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 185 available after Apr 10. | Jul 15 |
| Pumpkin | Mar 20 | Apr 17–Apr 17 | 178 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 178 available after Apr 17. | Jun 20 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 20 | Mar 27–Apr 10 | 227 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 227 available after Mar 27. | Aug 12 |
| Swiss Chard | Feb 6 | Mar 20–Mar 20 | 234 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 20 and again by Sep 1; both mature before Nov 9. | Sep 1 |
| Arugula | — | Feb 6–May 1 | 290 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 6 and again by Sep 30; both mature before Nov 23. | Sep 30 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Feb 6 | Mar 6–Mar 20 | 262 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 262 available after Mar 6. | Aug 1 |
| Butternut Squash | Mar 20 | Apr 17–Apr 24 | 178 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 178 available after Apr 17. | Jun 20 |
| Eggplant | Feb 13 | Apr 17–Apr 24 | 171 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 171 available after Apr 17. | Jul 13 |
| Okra | Mar 6 | Apr 10–Apr 17 | 192 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 10 and again by Aug 11; both mature before Oct 19. | Aug 11 |
| Basil | Feb 27 | Apr 24–Apr 24 | 178 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 24 and again by Aug 6; both mature before Oct 19. | Aug 6 |
| Cilantro | — | Mar 6–Mar 27 | 248 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 6 and again by Sep 6; both mature before Nov 9. | Sep 6 |
| Parsley | Jan 23 | Apr 10–Apr 17 | 213 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 213 available after Apr 10. | Aug 17 |
| Celery | Jan 23 | Apr 10–Apr 24 | 213 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 213 available after Apr 10. | Jun 28 |
| Scallions | Jan 23 | Mar 6–Mar 20 | 262 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 6 and again by Sep 10; both mature before Nov 23. | Sep 10 |
| Turnip | — | Mar 6–Mar 20 | 262 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 6 and again by Sep 20; both mature before Nov 23. | Sep 20 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Feb 20–Mar 6 | 276 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 20 and again by Sep 15; both mature before Nov 23. | Sep 15 |
| Bok Choy | Mar 6 | Mar 27–Apr 3 | 227 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 27 and again by Sep 11; both mature before Nov 9. | Sep 11 |
| Collards | Jan 23 | Mar 6–Mar 20 | 262 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 6 and again by Sep 10; both mature before Nov 23. | Sep 10 |
| Cantaloupe | Mar 20 | Apr 17–Apr 24 | 171 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 171 available after Apr 17. | Jun 28 |
| Chives | Jan 9 | Apr 10–Apr 17 | 227 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 227 available after Apr 10. | — |
| Dill | — | Feb 6–May 1 | 276 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 6 and again by Sep 1; both mature before Nov 9. | Sep 1 |
| Oregano | Jan 23 | Apr 10–Apr 17 | 227 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 227 available after Apr 10. | — |
| Rosemary | Jan 9 | Apr 10–Apr 17 | 213 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 213 available after Apr 10. | — |
| Sage | Feb 6 | Apr 10–Apr 17 | 227 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 227 available after Apr 10. | — |
| Thyme | Jan 23 | Apr 10–Apr 17 | 227 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 227 available after Apr 10. | — |
| Calendula | Feb 20 | Mar 20–Apr 3 | 234 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 20 and again by Sep 6; both mature before Nov 9. | Sep 6 |
| Cosmos | Mar 6 | Apr 3–Apr 17 | 199 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 3 and again by Aug 6; both mature before Oct 19. | Aug 6 |
| Lavender | Jan 9 | Apr 3–Apr 17 | 234 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 234 available after Apr 3. | — |
| Marigolds | Feb 20 | Apr 3–Apr 10 | 199 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 3 and again by Aug 16; both mature before Oct 19. | Aug 16 |
| Melons | Mar 20 | Apr 17–Apr 24 | 171 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 171 available after Apr 17. | Jun 28 |
| Mint | — | Apr 3–Apr 17 | 234 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 234 available after Apr 3. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Mar 6 | Apr 3–Apr 10 | 199 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 3 and again by Aug 11; both mature before Oct 19. | Aug 11 |
| Pole Beans | — | Apr 10–Apr 24 | 192 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 192 available after Apr 10. | Aug 1 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Mar 20 | Apr 17–Apr 24 | 178 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 178 available after Apr 17. | Jun 30 |
| Sunflowers | — | Apr 3–Apr 17 | 199 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 199 available after Apr 3. | Jul 27 |
| Tomatillos | Feb 6 | Apr 10–Apr 17 | 178 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 178 available after Apr 10. | Jul 8 |
| Watermelon | Mar 20 | Apr 10–Apr 17 | 178 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 178 available after Apr 10. | Jul 3 |
| Yellow Squash | Mar 20 | Apr 17–Apr 24 | 185 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 17 and again by Aug 11; both mature before Oct 19. | Aug 11 |
| Zinnias | Mar 6 | Apr 3–Apr 17 | 199 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 3 and again by Aug 6; both mature before Oct 19. | Aug 6 |
Month by month in Clemson
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Start indoors: Chives (Jan 9), Lavender (Jan 9), Onion (Jan 9), Rosemary (Jan 9), Celery (Jan 23), Collards (Jan 23), +5 more. |
| February | Start indoors: Broccoli (Feb 6), Brussel Sprouts (Feb 6), Cabbage (Feb 6), Lettuce (Feb 6), Sage (Feb 6), Swiss Chard (Feb 6), +8 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Feb 6), Beets (Feb 6), Dill (Feb 6), Peas (Feb 6), Radish (Feb 6), Spinach (Feb 6), +1 more. Plant: Strawberry (Feb 27). |
| March | Start indoors: Bok Choy (Mar 6), Corn (Mar 6), Cosmos (Mar 6), Nasturtiums (Mar 6), Okra (Mar 6), Zinnias (Mar 6), +9 more. Direct sow from: Cilantro (Mar 6), Turnip (Mar 6), Carrots (Mar 13), Potatoes (Mar 20). Transplant from: Broccoli (Mar 6), Brussel Sprouts (Mar 6), Cabbage (Mar 6), Collards (Mar 6), Kale (Mar 6), Lettuce (Mar 6), +6 more. |
| April | Direct sow from: Sunflowers (Apr 3), Beans (Apr 10), Pole Beans (Apr 10). Transplant from: Cosmos (Apr 3), Lavender (Apr 3), Marigolds (Apr 3), Mint (Apr 3), Nasturtiums (Apr 3), Zinnias (Apr 3), +23 more. Last frost around April 3. |
| May | Frost has passed. Transplant tomatoes, peppers, and basil outdoors. Direct sow beans, cucumbers, squash, and zucchini. |
| June | Last sowing dates: Butternut Squash (Jun 20), Pumpkin (Jun 20), Cantaloupe (Jun 28), Celery (Jun 28), Melons (Jun 28), Spaghetti Squash (Jun 30). |
| July | Last sowing dates: Tomato (Jul 3), Watermelon (Jul 3), Pepper (Jul 8), Tomatillos (Jul 8), Eggplant (Jul 13), Corn (Jul 15), +1 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Brussel Sprouts (Aug 1), Pole Beans (Aug 1), Basil (Aug 6), Cosmos (Aug 6), Cucumber (Aug 6), Zinnias (Aug 6), +12 more. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Beets (Sep 1), Dill (Sep 1), Swiss Chard (Sep 1), Calendula (Sep 6), Cilantro (Sep 6), Collards (Sep 10), +8 more. |
| October | Last sowing dates: Radish (Oct 1). |
| November | Direct sow from: Garlic (Nov 2). First frost around November 2. Last sowing dates: Garlic (Nov 23). |
| 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 Clemson, SC (ZIP 29631)?
The median last spring frost date for Clemson, SC (ZIP code 29631) is around April 3. 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 21.
What is the first fall frost date in Clemson, SC?
The median first fall frost date for Clemson, SC is around November 2. 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 16 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Clemson, SC?
The frost-free growing season in Clemson 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 Clemson (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 Clemson, SC?
Clemson, 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 Clemson, SC?
Start tomatoes indoors Feb 27 and plant out Apr 17 in Clemson. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Clemson?
Two: plant Mar 6 and again by Sep 11; both mature before Nov 9.
When do I plant garlic in Clemson?
Nov 2 to Nov 23; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Can I get two tomato crops in Clemson?
Yes: plant out Apr 17 for a summer crop, and set out a second round of transplants by Jul 3 for a fall crop.
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