Harman US

Frost Dates for Lamar, SC

Last spring frost
Mar 19
First fall frost
Nov 15
Growing season
241 days
Hardiness zone
8b

In an average year around Lamar, SC, the last spring frost (32°F) is about Mar 19 and the first fall frost is about Nov 15, giving roughly a 241-day growing season. To be safe most years, wait until Feb 28 before setting out tender plants.

Last spring frost

Dates the last frost of spring typically ends. Plant tender crops after the risk has passed for your comfort level.

Last spring frost - Lamar, SC
Frost intensity Early (10%) Average (50%) Late (90%)
Light (36°F) Apr 15 Mar 31 Mar 15
Freeze (32°F) Apr 4 Mar 19 Feb 28
Hard (28°F) Mar 25 Mar 5 Feb 7
Severe (24°F) Mar 13 Feb 15 Jan 16
Show full probability table (all thresholds & percentiles)
°F 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90%
36°F Apr 15 Apr 10 Apr 6 Apr 3 Mar 31 Mar 29 Mar 25 Mar 20 Mar 15
32°F Apr 4 Mar 30 Mar 26 Mar 23 Mar 19 Mar 16 Mar 12 Mar 7 Feb 28
28°F Mar 25 Mar 19 Mar 14 Mar 10 Mar 5 Mar 1 Feb 25 Feb 18 Feb 7
24°F Mar 13 Mar 5 Feb 28 Feb 23 Feb 15 Feb 7 Feb 2 Jan 27 Jan 16
20°F Mar 2 Feb 21 Feb 9 Feb 2 Jan 30 Jan 25 Jan 18 Jan 12 Jan 3
16°F Feb 17 Feb 4 Jan 31 Jan 26 Jan 23 Jan 18 Jan 14 Jan 9 Jan 1

First fall frost

Dates the first frost of fall typically arrives. Count back by a crop's days-to-maturity to know your planting cutoff.

First fall frost - Lamar, SC
Frost intensity Early (10%) Average (50%) Late (90%)
Light (36°F) Oct 21 Nov 2 Nov 18
Freeze (32°F) Oct 31 Nov 15 Dec 6
Hard (28°F) Nov 11 Dec 1 Jan 1
Severe (24°F) Nov 23 Dec 22 Jan 21
Show full probability table (all thresholds & percentiles)
°F 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90%
36°F Oct 21 Oct 25 Oct 28 Oct 31 Nov 2 Nov 5 Nov 8 Nov 13 Nov 18
32°F Oct 31 Nov 4 Nov 8 Nov 11 Nov 15 Nov 19 Nov 24 Dec 1 Dec 6
28°F Nov 11 Nov 16 Nov 22 Nov 27 Dec 1 Dec 5 Dec 12 Dec 21 Jan 1
24°F Nov 23 Dec 2 Dec 7 Dec 14 Dec 22 Dec 29 Jan 3 Jan 10 Jan 21
20°F Dec 9 Dec 21 Dec 29 Jan 3 Jan 9 Jan 14 Jan 18 Jan 26 Feb 5
16°F Dec 24 Jan 1 Jan 7 Jan 11 Jan 16 Jan 19 Jan 25 Jan 30 Feb 9

Growing season is measured at 32°F with about 50% probability. Hardiness zone from the 2023 USDA map; frost normals from NOAA 1991-2020.

Where this data comes from

These dates are computed from the nearest official weather station with long-term records: Elliott 0.8 Nw, Sc, about 6.1 miles away@if(!empty($station['elevation_ft'])), at 173 ft elevation. The further the station and the greater the elevation difference from your yard, the more your local frost timing can vary.

@endif
How we calculate these dates

Frost and freeze dates come from the NOAA 1991–2020 U.S. Climate Normals, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's 30-year averages for each weather station. A date shown at the 50% level is the median: in half of years the frost falls on or before it. The 10% and 90% columns show the early and late ends of the range, so you can plant on the odds you're comfortable with. These are long-term averages, not a forecast for this year - always check your local outlook before planting.

Source: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, 1991–2020 Climate Normals (public domain). Harman is not affiliated with or endorsed by NOAA.

Frequently asked questions

When is the last frost in Lamar, SC?

On average, the last spring frost (32°F) around Lamar, SC is about Mar 19. In cooler years it can run later, so for a safer bet many gardeners wait until Feb 28.

When is the first frost in the fall?

The first fall frost around Lamar, SC typically arrives about Nov 15. Count back by a crop's days to maturity to find the latest date you can plant it.

When can I plant tomatoes and other tender crops?

Tender crops like tomatoes, peppers and basil are damaged by frost, so wait until the last spring frost has passed - around Mar 19 on average, or Feb 28 to be safe most years.

How long is the growing season here?

The frost-free growing season (between the last spring and first fall 32°F frost) is about 241 days in a typical year.

Are these dates a forecast for this year?

No. They are 30-year averages from the NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals, not a prediction for the current year. Use them for planning and always check your local weather forecast before planting or protecting crops.

Local weather for 29069 Planting calendar → South Carolina frost dates →

Data source: NOAA 1991–2020 Climate Normals · Page updated Aug 4, 2026