When is the last frost in Hilton Head Island, SC?

The average last spring frost (50% probability of 32°F) in Hilton Head Island is around March 3, based on NOAA/NCEI 1991–2020 normals at the Beaufort Wwtp, SC station (11.2 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 Hilton Head Island?

The average first fall frost in Hilton Head Island, SC is around December 9, giving roughly a 282-day frost-free growing season.

What planting zone is Hilton Head Island, SC?

Hilton Head Island is in USDA plant hardiness zone 9b (average annual extreme minimum temperature 25 to 30°F), from the 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map.

What is the weather like in Hilton Head Island?

In Hilton Head Island, SC the warmest month is July (avg high 91.8°F) and the coldest is January (avg low 40.1°F). It averages about 45″ of precipitation a year.

Home › South Carolina › Hilton Head Island

Hilton Head Island, SC Planting Calendar & Frost Dates

USDA hardiness zone 9b · ZIP 29926 · elevation 11′ · NOAA & USDA data

Hilton Head Island is in USDA hardiness zone 9b (winters can dip to 25 to 30°F), with a growing season of about 282 days between the average last spring frost (March 3) and first fall frost (December 9). The warmest month is July (avg high 91.8°F); the coldest is January (avg low 40.1°F). It averages 45″ 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 25 to 30°F

Last spring frost

March 3

avg (50% prob, 32°F)

First fall frost

December 9

avg (50% prob, 32°F)

Growing season

282 days

frost-free window

Warmest month

July

avg high 91.8°F

Month-by-month typical weather in Hilton Head Island

Average conditions from the NOAA/NCEI 1991–2020 U.S. Climate Normals at Beaufort Mcas, SC (17 mi away). Temperatures °F, precipitation & snow in inches.

Month	Avg high	Avg low	Mean	Precip (in)
January	60.3	40.1	50.2	2.9
February	63.7	42.8	53.3	2.9
March	69.9	48.7	59.3	3.1
April	77	56	66.5	3.1
May	84	64.3	74.2	2.5
June	88.9	71.3	80.1	5
July	91.8	74.5	83.2	5.6
August	90.3	74.1	82.2	6.5
September	85.7	69.5	77.6	4
October	78.1	59	68.6	3.8
November	69.3	48.4	58.8	2.5
December	62.7	42.9	52.8	3.2

What to plant when in Hilton Head Island

Crop	Season	What to do & when
Tomatoes	warm	Start seeds indoors: January 20 · Transplant out: March 10
Peppers	warm	Start seeds indoors: January 6 · Transplant out: March 17
Cucumbers	warm	Direct sow: March 10
Zucchini / squash	warm	Direct sow: March 10
Bush beans	warm	Direct sow: March 10
Sweet corn	warm	Direct sow: March 10
Basil	warm	Transplant out: March 10
Peas	cool	Sow (spring): January 27 · Sow (fall): October 14
Spinach	cool	Sow (spring): January 20 · Sow (fall): October 14
Lettuce	cool	Sow (spring): February 3 · Sow (fall): October 14
Kale	cool	Transplant (spring): February 10 · Sow (fall): September 30
Broccoli	cool	Transplant (spring): February 17
Carrots	cool	Sow (spring): February 10 · Sow (fall): September 30
Onions	cool	Transplant (spring): February 3
Potatoes	cool	Plant seed potatoes: February 17
Radishes	cool	Sow (spring): February 3 · Sow (fall): October 28

Dates are computed from Hilton Head Island'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

North Charleston, SC Charleston, SC Summerville, SC Mount Pleasant, SC Goose Creek, SC Sumter, SC Columbia, SC Florence, 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 — Beaufort Wwtp, SC, 11.2 mi (confidence: medium). Monthly weather normals: Beaufort Mcas, SC, 17 mi (confidence: medium). 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.