Frost Dates for Gaston, SC 29053
Last spring frost April 1 · First fall frost November 1 · 214 frost-free days · USDA Zone 8b
ZIP 29053 has about 21,100 people.
Long season: 214 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans March 13–April 20 (38 days). Fall frost risk spans October 13–November 21 (39 days).
Frost probability for 29053
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | April 20 | April 1 | March 13 |
| Fall (first frost) | October 13 | November 1 | November 21 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at COLUMBIA METRO AP (13.1 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 214-day season in Gaston
In Gaston (214 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 25 | Apr 15–Apr 22 | 172 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 172 available after Apr 15. | Jul 2 |
| Pepper | Feb 18 | Apr 15–Apr 22 | 172 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 172 available after Apr 15. | Jul 7 |
| Lettuce | Feb 4 | Mar 4–Mar 11 | 249 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 4 and again by Sep 10; both mature before Nov 8. | Sep 10 |
| Carrots | — | Mar 11–Mar 18 | 256 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 256 available after Mar 11. | Aug 30 |
| Cucumber | Mar 11 | Apr 15–Apr 22 | 186 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 15 and again by Aug 5; both mature before Oct 18. | Aug 5 |
| Beans | — | Apr 8–Apr 22 | 200 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 8 and again by Aug 12; both mature before Oct 25. | Aug 12 |
| Peas | — | Feb 4–Apr 15 | 277 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 277 available after Feb 4. | Aug 21 |
| Zucchini | Mar 18 | Apr 15–Apr 22 | 186 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 15 and again by Aug 10; both mature before Oct 18. | Aug 10 |
| Onion | Jan 7 | Mar 4–Mar 18 | 249 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 249 available after Mar 4. | — |
| Spinach | — | Feb 4–Mar 25 | 291 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 4 and again by Sep 29; both mature before Nov 22. | Sep 29 |
| Kale | Jan 21 | Mar 4–Mar 18 | 263 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 4 and again by Sep 14; both mature before Nov 22. | Sep 14 |
| Broccoli | Feb 4 | Mar 4–Mar 18 | 249 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 249 available after Mar 4. | Aug 6 |
| Cabbage | Feb 4 | Mar 4–Mar 18 | 263 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 263 available after Mar 4. | Aug 30 |
| Radish | — | Feb 4–Apr 29 | 277 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 4 and again by Sep 30; both mature before Nov 8. | Sep 30 |
| Beets | — | Feb 4–Apr 29 | 277 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 4 and again by Aug 31; both mature before Nov 8. | Aug 31 |
| Potatoes | — | Mar 18–Mar 25 | 235 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 235 available after Mar 18. | — |
| Garlic | — | Nov 1 | 319 | overwinter: Plant Nov 1 to Nov 22; harvest the following summer. | Nov 22 |
| Strawberry | — | Feb 25–Apr 22 | 270 | perennial: A perennial: plant Feb 25; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Mar 4 | Apr 8–Apr 15 | 186 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 186 available after Apr 8. | Jul 14 |
| Pumpkin | Mar 18 | Apr 15–Apr 15 | 179 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 179 available after Apr 15. | Jun 19 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 18 | Mar 25–Apr 8 | 228 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 228 available after Mar 25. | Aug 11 |
| Swiss Chard | Feb 4 | Mar 18–Mar 18 | 235 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 18 and again by Aug 31; both mature before Nov 8. | Aug 31 |
| Arugula | — | Feb 4–Apr 29 | 291 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 4 and again by Sep 29; both mature before Nov 22. | Sep 29 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Feb 4 | Mar 4–Mar 18 | 263 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 263 available after Mar 4. | Jul 31 |
| Butternut Squash | Mar 18 | Apr 15–Apr 22 | 179 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 179 available after Apr 15. | Jun 19 |
| Eggplant | Feb 11 | Apr 15–Apr 22 | 172 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 172 available after Apr 15. | Jul 12 |
| Okra | Mar 4 | Apr 8–Apr 15 | 193 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 8 and again by Aug 10; both mature before Oct 18. | Aug 10 |
| Basil | Feb 25 | Apr 22–Apr 22 | 179 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 22 and again by Aug 5; both mature before Oct 18. | Aug 5 |
| Cilantro | — | Mar 4–Mar 25 | 249 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 4 and again by Sep 5; both mature before Nov 8. | Sep 5 |
| Parsley | Jan 21 | Apr 8–Apr 15 | 214 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 214 available after Apr 8. | Aug 16 |
| Celery | Jan 21 | Apr 8–Apr 22 | 214 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 214 available after Apr 8. | Jun 27 |
| Scallions | Jan 21 | Mar 4–Mar 18 | 263 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 4 and again by Sep 9; both mature before Nov 22. | Sep 9 |
| Turnip | — | Mar 4–Mar 18 | 263 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 4 and again by Sep 19; both mature before Nov 22. | Sep 19 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Feb 18–Mar 4 | 277 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 18 and again by Sep 14; both mature before Nov 22. | Sep 14 |
| Bok Choy | Mar 4 | Mar 25–Apr 1 | 228 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 25 and again by Sep 10; both mature before Nov 8. | Sep 10 |
| Collards | Jan 21 | Mar 4–Mar 18 | 263 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 4 and again by Sep 9; both mature before Nov 22. | Sep 9 |
| Cantaloupe | Mar 18 | Apr 15–Apr 22 | 172 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 172 available after Apr 15. | Jun 27 |
| Chives | Jan 7 | Apr 8–Apr 15 | 228 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 228 available after Apr 8. | — |
| Dill | — | Feb 4–Apr 29 | 277 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 4 and again by Aug 31; both mature before Nov 8. | Aug 31 |
| Oregano | Jan 21 | Apr 8–Apr 15 | 228 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 228 available after Apr 8. | — |
| Rosemary | Jan 7 | Apr 8–Apr 15 | 214 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 214 available after Apr 8. | — |
| Sage | Feb 4 | Apr 8–Apr 15 | 228 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 228 available after Apr 8. | — |
| Thyme | Jan 21 | Apr 8–Apr 15 | 228 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 228 available after Apr 8. | — |
| Calendula | Feb 18 | Mar 18–Apr 1 | 235 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 18 and again by Sep 5; both mature before Nov 8. | Sep 5 |
| Cosmos | Mar 4 | Apr 1–Apr 15 | 200 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 1 and again by Aug 5; both mature before Oct 18. | Aug 5 |
| Lavender | Jan 7 | Apr 1–Apr 15 | 235 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 235 available after Apr 1. | — |
| Marigolds | Feb 18 | Apr 1–Apr 8 | 200 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 1 and again by Aug 15; both mature before Oct 18. | Aug 15 |
| Melons | Mar 18 | Apr 15–Apr 22 | 172 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 172 available after Apr 15. | Jun 27 |
| Mint | — | Apr 1–Apr 15 | 235 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 235 available after Apr 1. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Mar 4 | Apr 1–Apr 8 | 200 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 1 and again by Aug 10; both mature before Oct 18. | Aug 10 |
| Pole Beans | — | Apr 8–Apr 22 | 193 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 193 available after Apr 8. | Jul 31 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Mar 18 | Apr 15–Apr 22 | 179 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 179 available after Apr 15. | Jun 29 |
| Sunflowers | — | Apr 1–Apr 15 | 200 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 200 available after Apr 1. | Jul 26 |
| Tomatillos | Feb 4 | Apr 8–Apr 15 | 179 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 179 available after Apr 8. | Jul 7 |
| Watermelon | Mar 18 | Apr 8–Apr 15 | 179 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 179 available after Apr 8. | Jul 2 |
| Yellow Squash | Mar 18 | Apr 15–Apr 22 | 186 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 15 and again by Aug 10; both mature before Oct 18. | Aug 10 |
| Zinnias | Mar 4 | Apr 1–Apr 15 | 200 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 1 and again by Aug 5; both mature before Oct 18. | Aug 5 |
Month by month in Gaston
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Start indoors: Chives (Jan 7), Lavender (Jan 7), Onion (Jan 7), Rosemary (Jan 7), Celery (Jan 21), Collards (Jan 21), +5 more. |
| February | Start indoors: Broccoli (Feb 4), Brussel Sprouts (Feb 4), Cabbage (Feb 4), Lettuce (Feb 4), Sage (Feb 4), Swiss Chard (Feb 4), +8 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Feb 4), Beets (Feb 4), Dill (Feb 4), Peas (Feb 4), Radish (Feb 4), Spinach (Feb 4), +1 more. Plant: Strawberry (Feb 25). |
| March | Start indoors: Bok Choy (Mar 4), Corn (Mar 4), Cosmos (Mar 4), Nasturtiums (Mar 4), Okra (Mar 4), Zinnias (Mar 4), +9 more. Direct sow from: Cilantro (Mar 4), Turnip (Mar 4), Carrots (Mar 11), Potatoes (Mar 18). Transplant from: Broccoli (Mar 4), Brussel Sprouts (Mar 4), Cabbage (Mar 4), Collards (Mar 4), Kale (Mar 4), Lettuce (Mar 4), +6 more. |
| April | Direct sow from: Sunflowers (Apr 1), Beans (Apr 8), Pole Beans (Apr 8). Transplant from: Cosmos (Apr 1), Lavender (Apr 1), Marigolds (Apr 1), Mint (Apr 1), Nasturtiums (Apr 1), Zinnias (Apr 1), +23 more. Last frost around April 1. |
| May | Frost has passed. Transplant tomatoes, peppers, and basil outdoors. Direct sow beans, cucumbers, squash, and zucchini. |
| June | Last sowing dates: Butternut Squash (Jun 19), Pumpkin (Jun 19), Cantaloupe (Jun 27), Celery (Jun 27), Melons (Jun 27), Spaghetti Squash (Jun 29). |
| July | Last sowing dates: Tomato (Jul 2), Watermelon (Jul 2), Pepper (Jul 7), Tomatillos (Jul 7), Eggplant (Jul 12), Corn (Jul 14), +3 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Basil (Aug 5), Cosmos (Aug 5), Cucumber (Aug 5), Zinnias (Aug 5), Broccoli (Aug 6), Nasturtiums (Aug 10), +13 more. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Calendula (Sep 5), Cilantro (Sep 5), Collards (Sep 9), Scallions (Sep 9), Bok Choy (Sep 10), Lettuce (Sep 10), +6 more. |
| October | First fall frost approaching (around November 1). Transplant fall brassicas. Sow spinach, arugula, and radishes. |
| November | Direct sow from: Garlic (Nov 1). First frost around November 1. Last sowing dates: Garlic (Nov 22). |
| 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 Gaston, SC (ZIP 29053)?
The median last spring frost date for Gaston, SC (ZIP code 29053) is around April 1. 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 13; one in ten it runs past April 20.
What is the first fall frost date in Gaston, SC?
The median first fall frost date for Gaston, SC is around November 1. 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 13 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Gaston, SC?
The frost-free growing season in Gaston is about 214 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 Gaston (214 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 Gaston, SC?
Gaston, 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 Gaston, SC?
Start tomatoes indoors Feb 25 and plant out Apr 15 in Gaston. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Gaston?
Two: plant Mar 4 and again by Sep 10; both mature before Nov 8.
When do I plant garlic in Gaston?
Nov 1 to Nov 22; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Can I get two tomato crops in Gaston?
Yes: plant out Apr 15 for a summer crop, and set out a second round of transplants by Jul 2 for a fall crop.
Which nearby ZIP has a longer season?
Cayce (ZIP 29033) has 228 frost-free days, 14 more than Gaston (ZIP 29053). See Cayce ZIP 29033 frost dates
Nearby and related
- Frost dates for Cayce, SC 29033 (9 mi)
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- Frost dates for Lexington, SC 29072 (15.9 mi)
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