Frost Dates for Lake City, SC 29560
Last spring frost March 26 · First fall frost November 8 · 227 frost-free days · USDA Zone 8b
ZIP 29560 has about 12,300 people.
Long season: 227 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans March 6–April 15 (40 days). Fall frost risk spans October 23–November 24 (32 days).
Frost probability for 29560
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | April 15 | March 26 | March 6 |
| Fall (first frost) | October 23 | November 8 | November 24 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at LAKE CITY 2 SE (3.6 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 227-day season in Lake City
In Lake City (227 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 | 185 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 185 available after Apr 9. | Jul 9 |
| Pepper | Feb 12 | Apr 9–Apr 16 | 185 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 185 available after Apr 9. | Jul 14 |
| Lettuce | Jan 29 | Feb 26–Mar 5 | 262 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 26 and again by Sep 17; both mature before Nov 15. | Sep 17 |
| Carrots | — | Mar 5–Mar 12 | 269 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 269 available after Mar 5. | Sep 6 |
| Cucumber | Mar 5 | Apr 9–Apr 16 | 199 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 9 and again by Aug 12; both mature before Oct 25. | Aug 12 |
| Beans | — | Apr 2–Apr 16 | 213 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 2 and again by Aug 19; both mature before Nov 1. | Aug 19 |
| Peas | — | Jan 29–Apr 9 | 290 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 290 available after Jan 29. | Aug 28 |
| Zucchini | Mar 12 | Apr 9–Apr 16 | 199 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 9 and again by Aug 17; both mature before Oct 25. | Aug 17 |
| Onion | Jan 1 | Feb 26–Mar 12 | 262 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 262 available after Feb 26. | — |
| Spinach | — | Jan 29–Mar 19 | 304 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 29 and again by Oct 6; both mature before Nov 29. | Oct 6 |
| Kale | Jan 15 | Feb 26–Mar 12 | 276 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 26 and again by Sep 21; both mature before Nov 29. | Sep 21 |
| Broccoli | Jan 29 | Feb 26–Mar 12 | 262 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 262 available after Feb 26. | Aug 13 |
| Cabbage | Jan 29 | Feb 26–Mar 12 | 276 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 276 available after Feb 26. | Sep 6 |
| Radish | — | Jan 29–Apr 23 | 290 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 29 and again by Oct 7; both mature before Nov 15. | Oct 7 |
| Beets | — | Jan 29–Apr 23 | 290 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 29 and again by Sep 7; both mature before Nov 15. | Sep 7 |
| Potatoes | — | Mar 12–Mar 19 | 248 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 248 available after Mar 12. | — |
| Garlic | — | Nov 8 | 332 | overwinter: Plant Nov 8 to Nov 29; harvest the following summer. | Nov 29 |
| Strawberry | — | Feb 19–Apr 16 | 283 | 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 | 199 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 199 available after Apr 2. | Jul 21 |
| Pumpkin | Mar 12 | Apr 9–Apr 9 | 192 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 192 available after Apr 9. | Jun 26 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 12 | Mar 19–Apr 2 | 241 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 241 available after Mar 19. | Aug 18 |
| Swiss Chard | Jan 29 | Mar 12–Mar 12 | 248 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 12 and again by Sep 7; both mature before Nov 15. | Sep 7 |
| Arugula | — | Jan 29–Apr 23 | 304 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 29 and again by Oct 6; both mature before Nov 29. | Oct 6 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Jan 29 | Feb 26–Mar 12 | 276 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 276 available after Feb 26. | Aug 7 |
| Butternut Squash | Mar 12 | Apr 9–Apr 16 | 192 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 192 available after Apr 9. | Jun 26 |
| Eggplant | Feb 5 | Apr 9–Apr 16 | 185 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 185 available after Apr 9. | Jul 19 |
| Okra | Feb 26 | Apr 2–Apr 9 | 206 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 2 and again by Aug 17; both mature before Oct 25. | Aug 17 |
| Basil | Feb 19 | Apr 16–Apr 16 | 192 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 16 and again by Aug 12; both mature before Oct 25. | Aug 12 |
| Cilantro | — | Feb 26–Mar 19 | 262 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 26 and again by Sep 12; both mature before Nov 15. | Sep 12 |
| Parsley | Jan 15 | Apr 2–Apr 9 | 227 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 227 available after Apr 2. | Aug 23 |
| Celery | Jan 15 | Apr 2–Apr 16 | 227 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 227 available after Apr 2. | Jul 4 |
| Scallions | Jan 15 | Feb 26–Mar 12 | 276 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 26 and again by Sep 16; both mature before Nov 29. | Sep 16 |
| Turnip | — | Feb 26–Mar 12 | 276 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 26 and again by Sep 26; both mature before Nov 29. | Sep 26 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Feb 12–Feb 26 | 290 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 12 and again by Sep 21; both mature before Nov 29. | Sep 21 |
| Bok Choy | Feb 26 | Mar 19–Mar 26 | 241 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 19 and again by Sep 17; both mature before Nov 15. | Sep 17 |
| Collards | Jan 15 | Feb 26–Mar 12 | 276 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 26 and again by Sep 16; both mature before Nov 29. | Sep 16 |
| Cantaloupe | Mar 12 | Apr 9–Apr 16 | 185 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 185 available after Apr 9. | Jul 4 |
| Chives | Jan 1 | Apr 2–Apr 9 | 241 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 241 available after Apr 2. | — |
| Dill | — | Jan 29–Apr 23 | 290 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 29 and again by Sep 7; both mature before Nov 15. | Sep 7 |
| Oregano | Jan 15 | Apr 2–Apr 9 | 241 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 241 available after Apr 2. | — |
| Rosemary | Jan 1 | Apr 2–Apr 9 | 227 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 227 available after Apr 2. | — |
| Sage | Jan 29 | Apr 2–Apr 9 | 241 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 241 available after Apr 2. | — |
| Thyme | Jan 15 | Apr 2–Apr 9 | 241 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 241 available after Apr 2. | — |
| Calendula | Feb 12 | Mar 12–Mar 26 | 248 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 12 and again by Sep 12; both mature before Nov 15. | Sep 12 |
| Cosmos | Feb 26 | Mar 26–Apr 9 | 213 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 26 and again by Aug 12; both mature before Oct 25. | Aug 12 |
| Lavender | Jan 1 | Mar 26–Apr 9 | 248 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 248 available after Mar 26. | — |
| Marigolds | Feb 12 | Mar 26–Apr 2 | 213 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 26 and again by Aug 22; both mature before Oct 25. | Aug 22 |
| Melons | Mar 12 | Apr 9–Apr 16 | 185 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 185 available after Apr 9. | Jul 4 |
| Mint | — | Mar 26–Apr 9 | 248 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 248 available after Mar 26. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Feb 26 | Mar 26–Apr 2 | 213 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 26 and again by Aug 17; both mature before Oct 25. | Aug 17 |
| Pole Beans | — | Apr 2–Apr 16 | 206 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 206 available after Apr 2. | Aug 7 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Mar 12 | Apr 9–Apr 16 | 192 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 192 available after Apr 9. | Jul 6 |
| Sunflowers | — | Mar 26–Apr 9 | 213 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 213 available after Mar 26. | Aug 2 |
| Tomatillos | Jan 29 | Apr 2–Apr 9 | 192 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 192 available after Apr 2. | Jul 14 |
| Watermelon | Mar 12 | Apr 2–Apr 9 | 192 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 192 available after Apr 2. | Jul 9 |
| Yellow Squash | Mar 12 | Apr 9–Apr 16 | 199 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 9 and again by Aug 17; both mature before Oct 25. | Aug 17 |
| Zinnias | Feb 26 | Mar 26–Apr 9 | 213 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 26 and again by Aug 12; both mature before Oct 25. | Aug 12 |
Month by month in Lake City
| 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 26), Pumpkin (Jun 26). |
| July | Last sowing dates: Cantaloupe (Jul 4), Celery (Jul 4), Melons (Jul 4), Spaghetti Squash (Jul 6), Tomato (Jul 9), Watermelon (Jul 9), +4 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Sunflowers (Aug 2), Brussel Sprouts (Aug 7), Pole Beans (Aug 7), Basil (Aug 12), Cosmos (Aug 12), Cucumber (Aug 12), +11 more. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Cabbage (Sep 6), Carrots (Sep 6), Beets (Sep 7), Dill (Sep 7), Swiss Chard (Sep 7), Calendula (Sep 12), +8 more. |
| October | Last sowing dates: Arugula (Oct 6), Spinach (Oct 6), Radish (Oct 7). |
| November | Direct sow from: Garlic (Nov 8). First frost around November 8. Last sowing dates: Garlic (Nov 29). |
| 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 Lake City, SC (ZIP 29560)?
The median last spring frost date for Lake City, SC (ZIP code 29560) 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 6; one in ten it runs past April 15.
What is the first fall frost date in Lake City, SC?
The median first fall frost date for Lake City, SC is around November 8. 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 23 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Lake City, SC?
The frost-free growing season in Lake City is about 227 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 Lake City (227 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 Lake City, SC?
Lake City, 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 Lake City, SC?
Start tomatoes indoors Feb 19 and plant out Apr 9 in Lake City. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Lake City?
Two: plant Feb 26 and again by Sep 17; both mature before Nov 15.
When do I plant garlic in Lake City?
Nov 8 to Nov 29; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Can I get two tomato crops in Lake City?
Yes: plant out Apr 9 for a summer crop, and set out a second round of transplants by Jul 9 for a fall crop.
Which nearby ZIP has a longer season?
Andrews (ZIP 29510) has 234 frost-free days, 7 more than Lake City (ZIP 29560). See Andrews ZIP 29510 frost dates
Nearby and related
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- Frost dates for Andrews, SC 29510 (27.5 mi)
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