When is the last frost in Sumter, SC?

The average last spring frost (50% probability of 32°F) in Sumter is around March 24, based on NOAA/NCEI 1991–2020 normals at the Sumter, SC station (8.4 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 Sumter?

The average first fall frost in Sumter, SC is around November 7, giving roughly a 230-day frost-free growing season.

What planting zone is Sumter, SC?

Sumter is in USDA plant hardiness zone 8b (average annual extreme minimum temperature 15 to 20°F), from the 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map.

What is the weather like in Sumter?

In Sumter, SC the warmest month is July (avg high 90.2°F) and the coldest is January (avg low 32.8°F). It averages about 48.8″ of precipitation a year and 0.3″ of snow.

Home › South Carolina › Sumter

Sumter, SC Planting Calendar & Frost Dates

USDA hardiness zone 8b · ZIP 29150 · elevation 54′ · NOAA & USDA data

Sumter is in USDA hardiness zone 8b (winters can dip to 15 to 20°F), with a growing season of about 230 days between the average last spring frost (March 24) and first fall frost (November 7). The warmest month is July (avg high 90.2°F); the coldest is January (avg low 32.8°F). It averages 48.8″ of precipitation a year and 0.3″ of snow, mostly mid-winter. 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 15 to 20°F

Last spring frost

March 24

avg (50% prob, 32°F)

First fall frost

November 7

avg (50% prob, 32°F)

Growing season

230 days

frost-free window

Warmest month

July

avg high 90.2°F

Month-by-month typical weather in Sumter

Average conditions from the NOAA/NCEI 1991–2020 U.S. Climate Normals at Sumter, SC (8.4 mi away). Temperatures °F, precipitation & snow in inches.

Month	Avg high	Avg low	Mean	Precip (in)	Snow (in)
January	55.1	32.8	43.9	3.8	0.3
February	58.5	35	46.7	3.5	0
March	66.3	40.9	53.6	3.7	0
April	74.7	49.6	62.2	3.4	0
May	81.2	57.8	69.5	3.8	0
June	87.3	65.9	76.6	5.1	0
July	90.2	69.6	79.9	5.8	0
August	88.5	68.4	78.5	4.9	0
September	83.4	62.9	73.2	4.4	0
October	74.4	50.9	62.6	3.9	0
November	64.8	40	52.4	2.9	0
December	57.4	35	46.2	3.8	0

What to plant when in Sumter

Crop	Season	What to do & when
Tomatoes	warm	Start seeds indoors: February 10 · Transplant out: March 31
Peppers	warm	Start seeds indoors: January 27 · Transplant out: April 7
Cucumbers	warm	Direct sow: March 31
Zucchini / squash	warm	Direct sow: March 31
Bush beans	warm	Direct sow: March 31
Sweet corn	warm	Direct sow: March 31
Basil	warm	Transplant out: March 31
Peas	cool	Sow (spring): February 17 · Sow (fall): September 12
Spinach	cool	Sow (spring): February 10 · Sow (fall): September 12
Lettuce	cool	Sow (spring): February 24 · Sow (fall): September 12
Kale	cool	Transplant (spring): March 3 · Sow (fall): August 29
Broccoli	cool	Transplant (spring): March 10
Carrots	cool	Sow (spring): March 3 · Sow (fall): August 29
Onions	cool	Transplant (spring): February 24
Potatoes	cool	Plant seed potatoes: March 10
Radishes	cool	Sow (spring): February 24 · Sow (fall): September 26

Dates are computed from Sumter'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

Florence, SC Columbia, SC Summerville, SC Goose Creek, SC North Charleston, SC Mount Pleasant, SC Charleston, SC Rock Hill, 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 — Sumter, SC, 8.4 mi (confidence: high). Monthly weather normals: Sumter, SC, 8.4 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.