Last frost date in Florence, SC

Average last frost
March 19

Expect the last frost in Florence around March 19. Frost after April 5 happens in only one year out of ten. The first fall frost usually arrives about November 13, which leaves 241 frost-free days. An early freeze before November 1 happens one year in ten.

Safe after (10% risk)
Apr 5
Average first frost
Nov 13
Frost-free season
241 days
Hard freeze (28°F) ends
Mar 4
Next 7 nights in Florence

No frost in the next 7 nights

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

  1. ThuOct 2244°
  2. FriOct 2347°
  3. SatOct 2448°
  4. SunOct 2546°
  5. MonOct 2644°
  6. TueOct 2748°
  7. WedOct 2851°
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecLast frost Mar 19First frost Nov 13241 frost-free daysBlue: chance of 32°F frost. Green: average frost-free season.JFMAMJJASOND241 frost-free days
Frost risk through the year at Florence Regional Airport, 3.9 miles from Florence.

Planting calendar for Florence

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
TomatoesMar 26–Apr 9
PumpkinsApr 2–Apr 16
SunflowersMar 19–Apr 9
CucumbersApr 2–Apr 9
CornMar 26–Apr 9
Sweet potatoesApr 9–Apr 23
WatermelonApr 2–Apr 16
Green beansMar 26–Apr 16
ZucchiniMar 26–Apr 9
OkraApr 9–Apr 23
PeppersApr 2–Apr 16
BasilMar 26–Apr 9
Butternut squashMar 26–Apr 9
CantaloupeApr 2–Apr 16
EggplantApr 2–Apr 16
Cool-season crops
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PotatoesFeb 19–Mar 5
OnionsFeb 5–Feb 26
CarrotsFeb 26–Apr 2
LettuceMar 5–Mar 26
BroccoliFeb 19–Mar 5
BeetsFeb 19–Apr 2
PeasFeb 5–Feb 19
CabbageFeb 19–Mar 5
RadishesFeb 12–Mar 26
Brussels sproutsMar 5–Mar 19
SpinachFeb 5–Feb 26
CilantroMar 5–Mar 26
KaleFeb 19–Mar 5
Collard greensFeb 19–Mar 5
TurnipsFeb 19–Mar 5
DillMar 19–Apr 2
CeleryMar 26–Apr 2
CauliflowerMar 5–Mar 19
LeeksMar 5–Mar 19
Swiss chardMar 5–Apr 2
ParsleyMar 5–Mar 26
Fall bulbs and garlic
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Tulip bulbsOct 30–Dec 4
GarlicOct 23–Nov 27
Daffodil bulbsOct 16–Nov 27
Perennials
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
StrawberriesFeb 19–Mar 5
AsparagusFeb 19–Mar 5

Frost probabilities

ThresholdSpring, 90% chance laterSpring, 50%Spring, 10%Fall, 10% chance earlierFall, 50%Fall, 90%
Light frost, 32°FFeb 28Mar 19Apr 5Nov 1Nov 13Dec 2
Hard freeze, 28°FFeb 6Mar 4Mar 26Nov 9Nov 27Dec 23

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 Florence Regional Airport (USW00013744) sits 3.9 miles from the center of Florence at 146 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 Florence, SC?

The average last frost date in Florence is March 19, based on NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals. There is a 10% chance of frost after April 5.

When is the first frost in Florence?

The first frost in fall usually comes around November 13. One year in ten it arrives before November 1.

How long is the growing season in Florence?

About 241 days between the average last and first frost.

When should I plant tomatoes in Florence?

Plant tomato seedlings outside from March 26 to April 9. Start seeds indoors six to eight weeks earlier.

Nearby in South Carolina

All 33 cities in South Carolina