Last frost date in Hilton Head Island, SC

Average last frost
March 3

Expect the last frost in Hilton Head Island around March 3. Frost after March 20 happens in only one year out of ten. The first fall frost usually arrives about December 9, which leaves 282 frost-free days. An early freeze before November 21 happens one year in ten.

Safe after (10% risk)
Mar 20
Average first frost
Dec 9
Frost-free season
282 days
Hard freeze (28°F) ends
Feb 9
Next 7 nights in Hilton Head Island

No frost in the next 7 nights

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

  1. ThuOct 2254°
  2. FriOct 2356°
  3. SatOct 2455°
  4. SunOct 2555°
  5. MonOct 2654°
  6. TueOct 2756°
  7. WedOct 2857°
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecLast frost Mar 3First frost Dec 9282 frost-free daysBlue: chance of 32°F frost. Green: average frost-free season.JFMAMJJASOND282 frost-free days
Frost risk through the year at Beaufort Wwtp, 14.4 miles from Hilton Head Island.

Planting calendar for Hilton Head Island

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 10–Mar 24
PumpkinsMar 17–Mar 31
SunflowersMar 3–Mar 24
CucumbersMar 17–Mar 24
CornMar 10–Mar 24
Sweet potatoesMar 24–Apr 7
WatermelonMar 17–Mar 31
Green beansMar 10–Mar 31
ZucchiniMar 10–Mar 24
OkraMar 24–Apr 7
PeppersMar 17–Mar 31
BasilMar 10–Mar 24
Butternut squashMar 10–Mar 24
CantaloupeMar 17–Mar 31
EggplantMar 17–Mar 31
Cool-season crops
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PotatoesFeb 3–Feb 17
OnionsJan 20–Feb 10
CarrotsFeb 10–Mar 17
LettuceFeb 17–Mar 10
BroccoliFeb 3–Feb 17
BeetsFeb 3–Mar 17
PeasJan 20–Feb 3
CabbageFeb 3–Feb 17
RadishesJan 27–Mar 10
Brussels sproutsFeb 17–Mar 3
SpinachJan 20–Feb 10
CilantroFeb 17–Mar 10
KaleFeb 3–Feb 17
Collard greensFeb 3–Feb 17
TurnipsFeb 3–Feb 17
DillMar 3–Mar 17
CeleryMar 10–Mar 17
CauliflowerFeb 17–Mar 3
LeeksFeb 17–Mar 3
Swiss chardFeb 17–Mar 17
ParsleyFeb 17–Mar 10
Fall bulbs and garlic
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Tulip bulbsDec 15–Jan 15
GarlicOct 15–Nov 30
Daffodil bulbsOct 15–Nov 30
Perennials
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
StrawberriesFeb 3–Feb 17
AsparagusFeb 3–Feb 17

Frost probabilities

ThresholdSpring, 90% chance laterSpring, 50%Spring, 10%Fall, 10% chance earlierFall, 50%Fall, 90%
Light frost, 32°FFeb 2Mar 3Mar 20Nov 21Dec 9Jan 4
Hard freeze, 28°FJan 9Feb 9Mar 11Dec 3Dec 28Jan 21

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 Beaufort Wwtp (USC00380559) sits 14.4 miles from the center of Hilton Head Island at 25 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 Hilton Head Island, SC?

The average last frost date in Hilton Head Island is March 3, based on NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals. There is a 10% chance of frost after March 20.

When is the first frost in Hilton Head Island?

The first frost in fall usually comes around December 9. One year in ten it arrives before November 21.

How long is the growing season in Hilton Head Island?

About 282 days between the average last and first frost.

When should I plant tomatoes in Hilton Head Island?

Plant tomato seedlings outside from March 10 to March 24. Start seeds indoors six to eight weeks earlier.

Nearby in South Carolina

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