When is the last frost in Charleston, SC?

The average last spring frost (50% probability of 32°F) in Charleston is around February 4, based on NOAA/NCEI 1991–2020 normals at the Charleston City, SC station (0.2 mi away). Half of years it falls outside that date, so wait 1–2 weeks past it before setting out frost-tender plants.

When is the first fall frost in Charleston?

The average first fall frost in Charleston, SC is around December 30, giving roughly a 321-day frost-free growing season.

What planting zone is Charleston, SC?

Charleston is in USDA plant hardiness zone 9a (average annual extreme minimum temperature 20 to 25°F), from the 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map.

What is the weather like in Charleston?

In Charleston, SC the warmest month is July (avg high 87.5°F) and the coldest is January (avg low 43.6°F). It averages about 44.3″ of precipitation a year.

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Charleston, SC Planting Calendar & Frost Dates

USDA hardiness zone 9a · ZIP 29401 · elevation 3′ · NOAA & USDA data

Charleston is in USDA hardiness zone 9a (winters can dip to 20 to 25°F), with a growing season of about 321 days between the average last spring frost (February 4) and first fall frost (December 30). The warmest month is July (avg high 87.5°F); the coldest is January (avg low 43.6°F). It averages 44.3″ of precipitation a year. Start cool-season crops several weeks before the last frost; wait until after it for tomatoes, peppers and other tender crops.

Hardiness zone

min temp 20 to 25°F

Last spring frost

February 4

avg (50% prob, 32°F)

First fall frost

December 30

avg (50% prob, 32°F)

Growing season

321 days

frost-free window

Warmest month

July

avg high 87.5°F

Month-by-month typical weather in Charleston

Average conditions from the NOAA/NCEI 1991–2020 U.S. Climate Normals at Charleston City, SC (0.2 mi away). Temperatures °F, precipitation & snow in inches.

Month	Avg high	Avg low	Mean	Precip (in)	Snow (in)
January	58	43.6	50.8	2.6	–
February	60.3	46.1	53.2	2.6	–
March	65.6	52	58.8	3	–
April	72.3	59.7	66	3	–
May	79	68	73.5	2.6	–
June	84.3	74.2	79.2	4.9	–
July	87.5	77.1	82.3	5.1	–
August	86.4	76.5	81.4	6.1	–
September	82.6	72.5	77.6	5.3	–
October	75.6	63.2	69.4	4.1	–
November	67.1	53.1	60.1	2.3	–
December	60.9	46.8	53.8	2.9	–

What to plant when in Charleston

Crop	Season	What to do & when
Tomatoes	warm	Start seeds indoors: December 24 · Transplant out: February 11
Peppers	warm	Start seeds indoors: December 10 · Transplant out: February 18
Cucumbers	warm	Direct sow: February 11
Zucchini / squash	warm	Direct sow: February 11
Bush beans	warm	Direct sow: February 11
Sweet corn	warm	Direct sow: February 11
Basil	warm	Transplant out: February 11
Peas	cool	Sow (spring): December 31 · Sow (fall): November 4
Spinach	cool	Sow (spring): December 24 · Sow (fall): November 4
Lettuce	cool	Sow (spring): January 7 · Sow (fall): November 4
Kale	cool	Transplant (spring): January 14 · Sow (fall): October 21
Broccoli	cool	Transplant (spring): January 21
Carrots	cool	Sow (spring): January 14 · Sow (fall): October 21
Onions	cool	Transplant (spring): January 7
Potatoes	cool	Plant seed potatoes: January 21
Radishes	cool	Sow (spring): January 7 · Sow (fall): November 18

Dates are computed from Charleston's average frost dates using standard cool-/warm-season timing. They're a starting point — a cold spring, a warm microclimate, or a fast-maturing variety can shift them by a week or two.

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Gear that helps you plant on time

Some links below are Amazon affiliate links (tag theboringthin-20). If you buy through them we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you — it keeps this almanac free. We only list generic, genuinely-useful categories.

Soil thermometer →Know when the ground is warm enough to sow — the honest signal, not the calendar.Seed-starting trays + dome →Start tomatoes & peppers indoors on the schedule below.Seedling heat mat →Warms the soil for faster, more even germination indoors.Floating row cover / frost cloth →Buys you 4–8°F to beat an early or late frost.Raised garden bed kit →Warms and drains faster in spring than in-ground soil.Garden gloves →Basic kit for transplant day.

Nearby cities in South Carolina

Mount Pleasant, SC North Charleston, SC Goose Creek, SC Summerville, SC Hilton Head Island, SC Sumter, SC Florence, SC Columbia, SC

Sources & method. Hardiness zone: 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (PRISM Climate Group, Oregon State University). Frost dates & growing season: NOAA/NCEI 1991–2020 U.S. Climate Normals, nearest station with published freeze normals — Charleston City, SC, 0.2 mi (confidence: high). Monthly weather normals: Charleston City, SC, 0.2 mi (confidence: high). ZIP centroid from U.S. Census 2023 ZCTA data. Frost dates are the 50%-probability date — half of years frost occurs outside the stated date. Nothing here is invented; where the nearest station is far, we say so. Last updated 2026-07-22.