Frost Dates for Florence, SC 29501
Last spring frost March 26 · First fall frost November 7 · 226 frost-free days · USDA Zone 8b
ZIP 29501 has about 48,700 people, the largest of 3 ZIP codes in Florence.
Long season: 226 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans March 9–April 12 (34 days). Fall frost risk spans October 21–November 23 (33 days).
Frost probability for 29501
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | April 12 | March 26 | March 9 |
| Fall (first frost) | October 21 | November 7 | November 23 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at FLORENCE 8 NE (12.7 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Frost dates by ZIP code in Florence, SC
| ZIP | Last spring frost (50%) | First fall frost (50%) | Zone |
|---|---|---|---|
| 29501 | March 26 | November 7 | 8b |
| 29505 | March 26 | November 7 | 8b |
| 29506 | March 26 | November 7 | 8b |
Which crops fit a 226-day season in Florence
In Florence (226 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 19 | Apr 9–Apr 16 | 184 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 184 available after Apr 9. | Jul 8 |
| Pepper | Feb 12 | Apr 9–Apr 16 | 184 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 184 available after Apr 9. | Jul 13 |
| Lettuce | Jan 29 | Feb 26–Mar 5 | 261 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 26 and again by Sep 16; both mature before Nov 14. | Sep 16 |
| Carrots | — | Mar 5–Mar 12 | 268 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 268 available after Mar 5. | Sep 5 |
| Cucumber | Mar 5 | Apr 9–Apr 16 | 198 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 9 and again by Aug 11; both mature before Oct 24. | Aug 11 |
| Beans | — | Apr 2–Apr 16 | 212 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 2 and again by Aug 18; both mature before Oct 31. | Aug 18 |
| Peas | — | Jan 29–Apr 9 | 289 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 289 available after Jan 29. | Aug 27 |
| Zucchini | Mar 12 | Apr 9–Apr 16 | 198 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 9 and again by Aug 16; both mature before Oct 24. | Aug 16 |
| Onion | Jan 1 | Feb 26–Mar 12 | 261 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 261 available after Feb 26. | — |
| Spinach | — | Jan 29–Mar 19 | 303 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 29 and again by Oct 5; both mature before Nov 28. | Oct 5 |
| Kale | Jan 15 | Feb 26–Mar 12 | 275 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 26 and again by Sep 20; both mature before Nov 28. | Sep 20 |
| Broccoli | Jan 29 | Feb 26–Mar 12 | 261 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 261 available after Feb 26. | Aug 12 |
| Cabbage | Jan 29 | Feb 26–Mar 12 | 275 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 275 available after Feb 26. | Sep 5 |
| Radish | — | Jan 29–Apr 23 | 289 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 29 and again by Oct 6; both mature before Nov 14. | Oct 6 |
| Beets | — | Jan 29–Apr 23 | 289 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 29 and again by Sep 6; both mature before Nov 14. | Sep 6 |
| Potatoes | — | Mar 12–Mar 19 | 247 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 247 available after Mar 12. | — |
| Garlic | — | Nov 7 | 331 | overwinter: Plant Nov 7 to Nov 28; harvest the following summer. | Nov 28 |
| Strawberry | — | Feb 19–Apr 16 | 282 | perennial: A perennial: plant Feb 19; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Feb 26 | Apr 2–Apr 9 | 198 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 198 available after Apr 2. | Jul 20 |
| Pumpkin | Mar 12 | Apr 9–Apr 9 | 191 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 191 available after Apr 9. | Jun 25 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 12 | Mar 19–Apr 2 | 240 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 240 available after Mar 19. | Aug 17 |
| Swiss Chard | Jan 29 | Mar 12–Mar 12 | 247 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 12 and again by Sep 6; both mature before Nov 14. | Sep 6 |
| Arugula | — | Jan 29–Apr 23 | 303 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 29 and again by Oct 5; both mature before Nov 28. | Oct 5 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Jan 29 | Feb 26–Mar 12 | 275 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 275 available after Feb 26. | Aug 6 |
| Butternut Squash | Mar 12 | Apr 9–Apr 16 | 191 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 191 available after Apr 9. | Jun 25 |
| Eggplant | Feb 5 | Apr 9–Apr 16 | 184 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 184 available after Apr 9. | Jul 18 |
| Okra | Feb 26 | Apr 2–Apr 9 | 205 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 2 and again by Aug 16; both mature before Oct 24. | Aug 16 |
| Basil | Feb 19 | Apr 16–Apr 16 | 191 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 16 and again by Aug 11; both mature before Oct 24. | Aug 11 |
| Cilantro | — | Feb 26–Mar 19 | 261 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 26 and again by Sep 11; both mature before Nov 14. | Sep 11 |
| Parsley | Jan 15 | Apr 2–Apr 9 | 226 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 226 available after Apr 2. | Aug 22 |
| Celery | Jan 15 | Apr 2–Apr 16 | 226 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 226 available after Apr 2. | Jul 3 |
| Scallions | Jan 15 | Feb 26–Mar 12 | 275 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 26 and again by Sep 15; both mature before Nov 28. | Sep 15 |
| Turnip | — | Feb 26–Mar 12 | 275 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 26 and again by Sep 25; both mature before Nov 28. | Sep 25 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Feb 12–Feb 26 | 289 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 12 and again by Sep 20; both mature before Nov 28. | Sep 20 |
| Bok Choy | Feb 26 | Mar 19–Mar 26 | 240 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 19 and again by Sep 16; both mature before Nov 14. | Sep 16 |
| Collards | Jan 15 | Feb 26–Mar 12 | 275 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 26 and again by Sep 15; both mature before Nov 28. | Sep 15 |
| Cantaloupe | Mar 12 | Apr 9–Apr 16 | 184 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 184 available after Apr 9. | Jul 3 |
| Chives | Jan 1 | Apr 2–Apr 9 | 240 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 240 available after Apr 2. | — |
| Dill | — | Jan 29–Apr 23 | 289 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 29 and again by Sep 6; both mature before Nov 14. | Sep 6 |
| Oregano | Jan 15 | Apr 2–Apr 9 | 240 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 240 available after Apr 2. | — |
| Rosemary | Jan 1 | Apr 2–Apr 9 | 226 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 226 available after Apr 2. | — |
| Sage | Jan 29 | Apr 2–Apr 9 | 240 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 240 available after Apr 2. | — |
| Thyme | Jan 15 | Apr 2–Apr 9 | 240 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 240 available after Apr 2. | — |
| Calendula | Feb 12 | Mar 12–Mar 26 | 247 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 12 and again by Sep 11; both mature before Nov 14. | Sep 11 |
| Cosmos | Feb 26 | Mar 26–Apr 9 | 212 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 26 and again by Aug 11; both mature before Oct 24. | Aug 11 |
| Lavender | Jan 1 | Mar 26–Apr 9 | 247 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 247 available after Mar 26. | — |
| Marigolds | Feb 12 | Mar 26–Apr 2 | 212 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 26 and again by Aug 21; both mature before Oct 24. | Aug 21 |
| Melons | Mar 12 | Apr 9–Apr 16 | 184 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 184 available after Apr 9. | Jul 3 |
| Mint | — | Mar 26–Apr 9 | 247 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 247 available after Mar 26. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Feb 26 | Mar 26–Apr 2 | 212 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 26 and again by Aug 16; both mature before Oct 24. | Aug 16 |
| Pole Beans | — | Apr 2–Apr 16 | 205 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 205 available after Apr 2. | Aug 6 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Mar 12 | Apr 9–Apr 16 | 191 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 191 available after Apr 9. | Jul 5 |
| Sunflowers | — | Mar 26–Apr 9 | 212 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 212 available after Mar 26. | Aug 1 |
| Tomatillos | Jan 29 | Apr 2–Apr 9 | 191 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 191 available after Apr 2. | Jul 13 |
| Watermelon | Mar 12 | Apr 2–Apr 9 | 191 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 191 available after Apr 2. | Jul 8 |
| Yellow Squash | Mar 12 | Apr 9–Apr 16 | 198 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 9 and again by Aug 16; both mature before Oct 24. | Aug 16 |
| Zinnias | Feb 26 | Mar 26–Apr 9 | 212 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 26 and again by Aug 11; both mature before Oct 24. | Aug 11 |
Month by month in Florence
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Start indoors: Chives (Jan 1), Lavender (Jan 1), Onion (Jan 1), Rosemary (Jan 1), Celery (Jan 15), Collards (Jan 15), +12 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Jan 29), Beets (Jan 29), Dill (Jan 29), Peas (Jan 29), Radish (Jan 29), Spinach (Jan 29). |
| February | Start indoors: Eggplant (Feb 5), Calendula (Feb 12), Cauliflower (Feb 12), Marigolds (Feb 12), Pepper (Feb 12), Basil (Feb 19), +7 more. Direct sow from: Kohlrabi (Feb 12), Cilantro (Feb 26), Turnip (Feb 26). Transplant from: Broccoli (Feb 26), Brussel Sprouts (Feb 26), Cabbage (Feb 26), Collards (Feb 26), Kale (Feb 26), Lettuce (Feb 26), +2 more. Plant: Strawberry (Feb 19). |
| March | Start indoors: Cucumber (Mar 5), Butternut Squash (Mar 12), Cantaloupe (Mar 12), Melons (Mar 12), Pumpkin (Mar 12), Spaghetti Squash (Mar 12), +3 more. Direct sow from: Carrots (Mar 5), Potatoes (Mar 12), Sunflowers (Mar 26). Transplant from: Calendula (Mar 12), Swiss Chard (Mar 12), Bok Choy (Mar 19), Cauliflower (Mar 19), Cosmos (Mar 26), Lavender (Mar 26), +4 more. Last frost around March 26. |
| April | Direct sow from: Beans (Apr 2), Pole Beans (Apr 2). Transplant from: Celery (Apr 2), Chives (Apr 2), Corn (Apr 2), Okra (Apr 2), Oregano (Apr 2), Parsley (Apr 2), +17 more. |
| May | Succession plant lettuce and greens. Keep beds weeded and watered consistently. |
| June | Last sowing dates: Butternut Squash (Jun 25), Pumpkin (Jun 25). |
| July | Last sowing dates: Cantaloupe (Jul 3), Celery (Jul 3), Melons (Jul 3), Spaghetti Squash (Jul 5), Tomato (Jul 8), Watermelon (Jul 8), +4 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Sunflowers (Aug 1), Brussel Sprouts (Aug 6), Pole Beans (Aug 6), Basil (Aug 11), Cosmos (Aug 11), Cucumber (Aug 11), +11 more. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Cabbage (Sep 5), Carrots (Sep 5), Beets (Sep 6), Dill (Sep 6), Swiss Chard (Sep 6), Calendula (Sep 11), +8 more. |
| October | Last sowing dates: Arugula (Oct 5), Spinach (Oct 5), Radish (Oct 6). |
| November | Direct sow from: Garlic (Nov 7). First frost around November 7. Last sowing dates: Garlic (Nov 28). |
| 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 Florence, SC (ZIP 29501)?
The median last spring frost date for Florence, SC (ZIP code 29501) is around March 26. 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 9; one in ten it runs past April 12.
What is the first fall frost date in Florence, SC?
The median first fall frost date for Florence, SC is around November 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 October 21 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Florence, SC?
The frost-free growing season in Florence is about 226 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 Florence (226 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 Florence, SC?
Florence, 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 Florence, SC?
Start tomatoes indoors Feb 19 and plant out Apr 9 in Florence. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Florence?
Two: plant Feb 26 and again by Sep 16; both mature before Nov 14.
When do I plant garlic in Florence?
Nov 7 to Nov 28; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Can I get two tomato crops in Florence?
Yes: plant out Apr 9 for a summer crop, and set out a second round of transplants by Jul 8 for a fall crop.
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