Goose Creek, SC planting zone & frost dates
Goose Creek is in USDA hardiness zone 9a. The last spring frost usually comes around March 7 and the first fall frost around November 27, for a growing season of about 266 days.
Planting calendar for Goose Creek
Dates are counted from the average last spring frost (March 7) using the typical timing recommended by U.S. extension services. Warm-season crops go out only after the danger of frost has passed and the soil has warmed.
| Crop | When |
|---|---|
| Tomatoes | Start seeds indoors: Jan 10 – Jan 24 Transplant outdoors: Mar 14 – Mar 21 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors: Dec 27 – Jan 10 Transplant outdoors: Mar 21 – Mar 28 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors: Dec 27 – Jan 10 Transplant outdoors: Mar 21 – Mar 28 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors: Dec 27 – Jan 10 Transplant outdoors: Feb 7 – Feb 21 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors: Dec 27 – Jan 10 Transplant outdoors: Feb 7 – Feb 21 |
| Onions (sets) | Plant outdoors: Feb 7 – Feb 21 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors: Jan 24 – Feb 7 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors: Jan 24 – Feb 7 |
| Lettuce | Sow outdoors: Feb 7 – Feb 21 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors: Feb 7 – Feb 21 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors: Feb 7 – Feb 21 |
| Beans | Sow outdoors: Mar 14 – Mar 21 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors: Mar 14 – Mar 21 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors: Mar 14 – Mar 21 |
| Squash & zucchini | Sow outdoors: Mar 14 – Mar 21 |
| Basil | Start seeds indoors: Jan 24 – Feb 7 Transplant outdoors: Mar 14 – Mar 21 |
Fall garden: cool-season crops like lettuce, spinach and kale can be sown again around Oct 2 (8 weeks before the average first fall frost on Nov 27).
Useful for zone 9a gardens
- Seed starting kit with dome — to start seeds indoors before the last frost
- LED grow light for seedlings — stops leggy seedlings
- Frost cloth / plant covers — for late spring and early fall frosts
- Soil thermometer — warm-season crops need soil above 60°F
- Shade cloth — for hot summers
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Frost risk in detail
| 90% chance | 50% chance | 10% chance | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Last 32°F frost in spring is after | Feb 12 | Mar 7 | Mar 27 |
| First 32°F frost in fall is before | Dec 21 | Nov 27 | Nov 8 |
How to read it: in spring there is a 10% chance of a frost after March 27, so that is a safe date for tender plants. In fall there is a 10% chance of frost before November 8. A hard freeze (28°F) usually ends around February 20.
Hardiness zone by ZIP code in Goose Creek
- 29445 zone 8b
Nearby cities
- Hanahan zone 9a, last frost Mar 7
- Ladson zone 8b, last frost Mar 7
- North Charleston zone 9a, last frost Mar 7
- Summerville zone 8b, last frost Mar 22
- Charleston zone 9a, last frost Feb 4
- Mount Pleasant zone 9a, last frost Mar 13
- Beaufort zone 9a, last frost Mar 3
- Port Royal zone 9a, last frost Mar 3
Questions
What growing zone is Goose Creek, SC?
Goose Creek is in USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 9a (average extreme winter low 20°F to 25°F), according to the USDA 2023 map. Some ZIP codes of the city fall in zone 8b.
When is the last frost in Goose Creek?
The average last spring frost (32°F) in Goose Creek is March 7. There is still a 10% chance of frost until March 27.
When can I plant tomatoes in Goose Creek?
Transplant tomatoes outdoors 1–2 weeks after the average last frost: around Mar 14 – Mar 21. Start seeds indoors 6–8 weeks before the last frost.
Frost dates: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station Charleston Intl Ap, SC (USW00013880), 9.2 km (5.7 mi) from the city center, elevation 12 m, based on 30 years of records. Hardiness zone: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map 2023 for the ZIP code nearest to the city center. Microclimates (valleys, hills, cities, coasts) can be warmer or colder: check the local forecast before planting. How we calculate the data.