Summerville, SC planting zone & frost dates
Summerville is in USDA hardiness zone 8b. The last spring frost usually comes around March 22 and the first fall frost around November 12, for a growing season of about 238 days.
Planting calendar for Summerville
Dates are counted from the average last spring frost (March 22) 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 25 – Feb 8 Transplant outdoors: Mar 29 – Apr 5 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors: Jan 11 – Jan 25 Transplant outdoors: Apr 5 – Apr 12 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors: Jan 11 – Jan 25 Transplant outdoors: Apr 5 – Apr 12 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors: Jan 11 – Jan 25 Transplant outdoors: Feb 22 – Mar 8 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors: Jan 11 – Jan 25 Transplant outdoors: Feb 22 – Mar 8 |
| Onions (sets) | Plant outdoors: Feb 22 – Mar 8 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors: Feb 8 – Feb 22 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors: Feb 8 – Feb 22 |
| Lettuce | Sow outdoors: Feb 22 – Mar 8 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors: Feb 22 – Mar 8 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors: Feb 22 – Mar 8 |
| Beans | Sow outdoors: Mar 29 – Apr 5 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors: Mar 29 – Apr 5 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors: Mar 29 – Apr 5 |
| Squash & zucchini | Sow outdoors: Mar 29 – Apr 5 |
| Basil | Start seeds indoors: Feb 8 – Feb 22 Transplant outdoors: Mar 29 – Apr 5 |
Fall garden: cool-season crops like lettuce, spinach and kale can be sown again around Sep 17 (8 weeks before the average first fall frost on Nov 12).
Useful for zone 8b 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
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Frost risk in detail
| 90% chance | 50% chance | 10% chance | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Last 32°F frost in spring is after | Mar 1 | Mar 22 | Apr 7 |
| First 32°F frost in fall is before | Dec 3 | Nov 12 | Oct 29 |
How to read it: in spring there is a 10% chance of a frost after April 7, so that is a safe date for tender plants. In fall there is a 10% chance of frost before October 29. A hard freeze (28°F) usually ends around March 7.
Hardiness zone by ZIP code in Summerville
- 29483 zone 8b
- 29484 zone 8b
- 29485 zone 8b
- 29486 zone 8b
Nearby cities
- Ladson zone 8b, last frost Mar 7
- Goose Creek zone 9a, last frost Mar 7
- Hanahan zone 9a, last frost Mar 7
- North Charleston zone 9a, last frost Mar 7
- 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 Summerville, SC?
Summerville is in USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 8b (average extreme winter low 15°F to 20°F), according to the USDA 2023 map.
When is the last frost in Summerville?
The average last spring frost (32°F) in Summerville is March 22. There is still a 10% chance of frost until April 7.
When can I plant tomatoes in Summerville?
Transplant tomatoes outdoors 1–2 weeks after the average last frost: around Mar 29 – Apr 5. Start seeds indoors 6–8 weeks before the last frost.
Frost dates: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station Summerville 4W, SC (USC00388426), 5.7 km (3.5 mi) from the city center, elevation 20 m, based on 22 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.