Last frost date in Charleston, SC

Average last frost
February 4

In Charleston, the last spring frost comes around February 4 in an average year. Wait until March 4 if you want 90% odds of no more frost. The first fall frost usually arrives about December 30, which leaves 321 frost-free days. An early freeze before December 2 happens one year in ten.

Safe after (10% risk)
Mar 4
Average first frost
Dec 30
Frost-free season
321 days
Hard freeze (28°F) ends
Jan 24
Next 7 nights in Charleston

No frost in the next 7 nights

National Weather Service forecast, updated Oct 22, 12:57 UTC

  1. ThuOct 2249°
  2. FriOct 2352°
  3. SatOct 2452°
  4. SunOct 2552°
  5. MonOct 2651°
  6. TueOct 2753°
  7. WedOct 2855°
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecLast frost Feb 4First frost Dec 30321 frost-free daysBlue: chance of 32°F frost. Green: average frost-free season.JFMAMJJASOND321 frost-free days
Frost risk through the year at Charleston City, 4.1 miles from Charleston.

Planting calendar for Charleston

Windows count forward or back from the average frost dates above. Click a crop for dates across South Carolina.

Start indoorsPlant outSow outdoorsFall plantingAverage last and first frost
Warm-season crops
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
TomatoesFeb 15–Mar 1
PumpkinsFeb 18–Mar 4
SunflowersFeb 15–Mar 8
CucumbersFeb 22–Mar 1
CornFeb 15–Mar 1
Sweet potatoesFeb 25–Mar 11
WatermelonFeb 18–Mar 4
Green beansFeb 15–Mar 8
ZucchiniFeb 15–Mar 1
OkraFeb 25–Mar 11
PeppersFeb 18–Mar 4
BasilFeb 15–Mar 1
Butternut squashFeb 15–Mar 1
CantaloupeFeb 18–Mar 4
EggplantFeb 18–Mar 4
Cool-season crops
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PotatoesJan 7–Jan 21
OnionsDec 24–Jan 14
CarrotsJan 14–Feb 18
LettuceJan 21–Feb 11
BroccoliJan 7–Jan 21
BeetsJan 7–Feb 18
PeasDec 24–Jan 7
CabbageJan 7–Jan 21
RadishesDec 31–Feb 11
Brussels sproutsJan 21–Feb 4
SpinachDec 24–Jan 14
CilantroJan 21–Feb 11
KaleJan 7–Jan 21
Collard greensJan 7–Jan 21
TurnipsJan 7–Jan 21
DillFeb 4–Feb 18
CeleryFeb 11–Feb 18
CauliflowerJan 21–Feb 4
LeeksJan 21–Feb 4
Swiss chardJan 21–Feb 18
ParsleyJan 21–Feb 11
Fall bulbs and garlic
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Tulip bulbsDec 15–Jan 15
GarlicOct 15–Nov 30
Daffodil bulbsOct 15–Nov 30
Perennials
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
StrawberriesJan 7–Jan 21
AsparagusJan 7–Jan 21

Frost probabilities

ThresholdSpring, 90% chance laterSpring, 50%Spring, 10%Fall, 10% chance earlierFall, 50%Fall, 90%
Light frost, 32°FJan 5Feb 4Mar 4Dec 2Dec 30Jan 25
Hard freeze, 28°FDec 27Jan 24Feb 20Dec 15Jan 8Feb 3

Read the spring 10% column as the date after which only one year in ten still gets frost. That is the safer date for tomatoes, peppers and basil.

Where these numbers come from

NOAA station Charleston City (USW00013782) sits 4.1 miles from the center of Charleston at 10 feet. Its averages cover 1991 to 2020. Low spots, valleys and open fields can keep getting frost a week or two after the station stops; city centers and lakeshores usually get less of it.

Questions

When is the last frost in Charleston, SC?

The average last frost date in Charleston is February 4, based on NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals. There is a 10% chance of frost after March 4.

When is the first frost in Charleston?

The first frost in fall usually comes around December 30. One year in ten it arrives before December 2.

How long is the growing season in Charleston?

About 321 days between the average last and first frost.

When should I plant tomatoes in Charleston?

Plant tomato seedlings outside from February 15 to March 1. Start seeds indoors six to eight weeks earlier.

Nearby in South Carolina

All 33 cities in South Carolina