Last frost date in Charleston, South Carolina
February 4
Average last frost in spring. In an early year (1 in 10) it's over by January 5; in a late year (1 in 10) it comes after March 4.
December 30
Average first frost in fall. 1 year in 10 it comes by December 2.
A 32°F night happens here about 9 years in 10; in those years these are the usual dates.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station Charleston City (USW00013782), 4.1 miles from Charleston, elevation 10 ft. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information. These are long-term averages, not a forecast.
This station is also the nearest one for James Island, so its frost dates are the same as Charleston's.
| Early year | Average | Late year | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Last frost in spring | Jan 5 | Feb 4 | Mar 4 |
| First frost in fall | Dec 2 | Dec 30 | Jan 25 |
Frost-free days in an average year: 321
| Chance in a year | Average last in spring | Average first in fall | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Light frost (36°F) | Every year | Feb 25 | Dec 10 |
| Frost (32°F) | 9 years in 10 | Feb 4 | Dec 30 |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | 6 years in 10 | Jan 24 | Jan 8 |
Nights at 32°F or colder in an average year: 6.1
What to plant now in Charleston
- Swiss chardJune 1 – Dec 31Now
- BeetsSept 1 – Dec 31Now
- Broccoli plantsSept 1 – Dec 31Now
- Brussels sprouts plantsSept 1 – Dec 31Now
- Cabbage plantsSept 1 – Dec 31Now
- Chinese cabbageSept 1 – Dec 1Now
- Collards plantsSept 1 – Dec 31Now
- EndiveSept 1 – Dec 31Now
- Florence fennelSept 1 – Dec 1Now
- KaleSept 1 – Dec 31Now
- KohlrabiSept 1 – Dec 31Now
- ParsleySept 1 – Dec 31Now
- ParsnipsSept 1 – Dec 1Now
- SalsifySept 1 – Oct 31Now
- Snap beansSept 1 – Nov 1Now
- SorrelSept 1 – Dec 31Now
- TomatoesSept 1 – Nov 1Now
- CarrotsSept 15 – Dec 1Now
- Cauliflower plantsSept 15 – Nov 1Now
- GarlicSept 15 – Nov 15Now
- Head lettuce plantsSept 15 – Dec 31Now
- Leaf lettuceSept 15 – Dec 31Now
- LeeksSept 15 – Nov 1Now
- Mustard greensSept 15 – Dec 1Now
- Onion seedSept 15 – Nov 1Now
- ShallotsSept 15 – Nov 1Now
- Celery and celeriac plantsOct 1 – Dec 31Now
- Corn saladOct 1 – Dec 31Now
- DandelionOct 1 – Dec 31Now
- Garden peasOct 1 – Dec 31Now
- Onion plants plantsOct 1 – Dec 31Now
- RadishesOct 1 – Dec 31Now
- SpinachOct 1 – Dec 31Now
- TurnipsOct 1 – Dec 31Now
- Upland cressOct 1 – Dec 31Now
- RutabagaOct 15 – Nov 15Now
- Chervil and chivesNov 1 – Dec 31Soon
- Onion setsNov 1 – Dec 31Soon
- Spring planting calendar for an average last frost around February 8 Charleston: February 4
- Fall planting calendar for an average first frost around December 20 Charleston: December 30
Planting dates: USDA Home and Garden Bulletin No. 9 (1967), “Suburban and Farm Vegetable Gardens,” tables 4 and 5. How we match the table.
Nearby in South Carolina
- Mount Pleasant 6 mi · last frost Mar 13
- North Charleston 8 mi · last frost Mar 7
- Summerville 17 mi · last frost Mar 22
- Moncks Corner 26 mi · last frost Mar 10
- Beaufort 51 mi · last frost Feb 28