Charleston International Airport, SC Frost Dates & Growing Season

The two dates every Charleston International Airport garden is planned around, plus ready-computed planting windows for the most popular crops.

Last spring frost
Mar 7
~50% chance of frost after
First fall frost
Nov 27
~50% chance of frost before
Growing season
265 days
frost-free stretch
USDA zone
≈ 9a
estimated from nearby reference
Risky (1 year in 10)MedianSafe (9 years in 10)
Last spring frost Feb 12 Mar 7 Mar 27
First fall frost Dec 21 Nov 27 Nov 8
Hard freeze (28°F), median last Feb 20 · first Dec 15

Computed from NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals at the CHARLESTON INTL AP station. "Safe" means frost past that date happens only about one year in ten. Your exact garden can still run days either way with elevation and terrain — check your own ZIP with the frost date lookup.

Planting windows for Charleston International Airport

Computed from Charleston International Airport's own frost dates. Click any crop for the full zone-9 growing guide — varieties, spacing, fall plantings, and more.

CropStart seeds indoorsTransplantDirect sow
🍅 Tomatoes Jan 10 – Jan 24 Mar 14 – Mar 21
🫑 Peppers Dec 27 – Jan 10 Mar 21 – Mar 28
🥬 Lettuce Jan 24 – Feb 7 Feb 7 – Feb 21 Feb 7 – Mar 7
🫛 Peas Jan 24 – Feb 7
🥕 Carrots Feb 14 – Mar 7
🥦 Broccoli Jan 17 – Jan 31 Feb 14 – Feb 28
🥬 Kale Jan 24 – Feb 7 Feb 7 – Feb 21 Feb 7 – Feb 21
🥒 Cucumbers Feb 7 – Feb 14 Mar 14 – Mar 21 Mar 14 – Mar 21
🥒 Zucchini Feb 7 – Feb 14 Mar 14 – Mar 21 Mar 14 – Mar 21
🫘 Green Beans (Bush) Mar 14 – Mar 21
🌽 Sweet Corn Mar 14 – Mar 21
🌿 Basil Jan 24 – Feb 7 Mar 14 – Mar 21 Mar 21 – Mar 28
🧄 Garlic Fall: Oct 16 – Nov 13

Want this for all 50 crops, or as a printable seed-shelf schedule? Use the planting calendar and the seed starting scheduler — both can use Charleston International Airport's dates automatically after a lookup.

Reading the season in Charleston International Airport

With roughly 265 frost-free days, Charleston International Airport gardens fit long-season crops — melons, winter squash, sweet potatoes — with room left for spring and fall rounds of greens and roots. The first frost around Nov 27 is late enough that fall planting is a full second season, not an afterthought.

Frequently asked questions

When is the last frost in Charleston International Airport, SC?

The average last spring frost in Charleston International Airport is around Mar 7, based on 1991–2020 climate normals. That's a median — about half of years see a later frost, so tender crops are safest going out a week or two after this date.

When is the first frost in Charleston International Airport, SC?

The average first fall frost in Charleston International Airport arrives around Nov 27. Crops still in the garden need to mature before then, and frost-tender plants need harvesting or protection as the date approaches.

How long is the growing season in Charleston International Airport?

About 265 frost-free days on average, from Mar 7 to Nov 27. That comfortably fits long-season crops like melons and winter squash, plus spring and fall plantings of cool-season vegetables.

What USDA zone is Charleston International Airport in?

USDA zone 9a on the 2023 Plant Hardiness Zone Map. Note that zones describe winter cold, not frost timing — these frost dates are the numbers to plan plantings around.