Frost Dates & Planting Calendar for Ladson, SC

The average first fall frost in Ladson, SC is November 27, and the average last spring frost is March 7, giving a growing season of about 266 days.

Plan your garden around Ladson, SC's typical frost-free growing season, using NOAA climate normals and a 42-crop planting calendar built for this location.

Last Spring Frost

March 7

Safe Mar 27 Typical Mar 7 Risky Feb 12

First Fall Frost

November 27

Safe Nov 8 Typical Nov 27 Risky Dec 21

Growing Season

266 days

Typical last frost to typical first frost.

USDA Hardiness Zone

Zone 8b

Mild winters and a long growing season, room for both cool- and warm-season crops.

Data: NOAA station CHARLESTON INTL AP, SC US, 11.7 km away.

— days until the typical last spring frost

How Ladson Compares

Ladson's typical last spring frost (Mar 7) comes earlier than in 81% of the 58 South Carolina cities we track.
Its 266-day growing season is 27 days longer than the South Carolina median of 239 days.
Compared with Summerville (7 km away), Ladson's last spring frost comes 15 days earlier than Summerville's, and its first fall frost arrives 15 days later.
July is the warmest month (average high 91°F) and January the coldest (average low 39°F).

Monthly Temperatures

Avg. high Avg. temp Avg. low

Planting Calendar

Vegetables
Crop	Start indoors	Direct sow	Transplant	Fall planting	Maturity	Notes
Tomato	Jan 10 – Jan 24	—	Mar 14 – Mar 21	—	60–85 days	Start indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost; transplant out 1-2 weeks after last frost once soil has warmed.
Pepper	Dec 27 – Jan 10	—	Mar 14 – Mar 28	—	60–90 days	Slow to germinate; start indoors 8-10 weeks before last frost. Transplant only once nights stay above 55F, 1-3 weeks after last frost.
Eggplant	Dec 27 – Jan 10	—	Mar 21 – Mar 28	—	65–85 days	Warm-season crop, similar timing to pepper; needs consistently warm soil (65F+) to transplant.
Cucumber	Feb 7 – Feb 14	Mar 14 – Mar 21	Mar 14 – Mar 21	—	50–65 days	Can be started indoors 3-4 weeks before transplanting, or direct-sown 1-2 weeks after last frost once soil is warm.
Zucchini	Feb 14 – Feb 21	Mar 14 – Mar 28	Mar 14 – Mar 21	—	45–55 days	Fast-growing squash; direct sow 1-3 weeks after last frost, or start indoors 2-3 weeks early for a head start.
Winter Squash	Feb 7 – Feb 14	Mar 14 – Mar 28	Mar 14 – Mar 21	—	80–110 days	Long season; direct sow after soil warms, or start indoors 3-4 weeks before last frost in short-season climates.
Pumpkin	—	Mar 14 – Mar 28	—	—	90–120 days	Direct sow 1-3 weeks after last frost; back-time from your first fall frost so the 90-120 day maturity window lands before it.
Watermelon	Feb 7 – Feb 14	—	Mar 21 – Mar 28	—	70–90 days	Needs warm soil (65F+); start indoors 3-4 weeks before last frost, transplant 2-3 weeks after last frost.
Cantaloupe	Feb 7 – Feb 14	—	Mar 21 – Mar 28	—	70–90 days	Same warm-soil requirements as watermelon; avoid disturbing roots when transplanting.
Corn	—	Mar 7 – Mar 21	—	—	60–100 days	Direct sow at last frost to 2 weeks after, once soil reaches 60F; does not transplant well. Succession sow every 2 weeks.
Green Bean	—	Mar 7 – Mar 21	—	—	50–65 days	Direct sow at last frost to 2 weeks after, once soil has warmed; frost-tender, do not rush.
Pea	—	Jan 24 – Feb 7	—	—	55–70 days	Cold-hardy; direct sow 4-6 weeks before last frost as soon as soil can be worked.
Lettuce	—	Feb 7 – Feb 21	—	Oct 2 – Oct 16	45–60 days	Cold-hardy; direct sow 2-4 weeks before last frost. Also transplantable from indoor starts.
Spinach	—	Jan 24 – Feb 7	—	Oct 2 – Oct 16	40–50 days	Very cold-hardy; direct sow 4-6 weeks before last frost as soon as soil can be worked.
Kale	—	Feb 7 – Feb 21	—	Sep 18 – Oct 2	50–65 days	Cold-hardy; direct sow 2-4 weeks before last frost or start indoors for earlier transplants.
Arugula	—	Feb 7 – Feb 21	—	Oct 16 – Oct 23	30–40 days	Fast-growing, cold-tolerant green; direct sow 2-4 weeks before last frost, succession sow every 2-3 weeks.
Swiss Chard	—	Feb 14 – Feb 28	—	—	50–60 days	Fairly cold-hardy; direct sow 1-3 weeks before last frost. Tolerates light frost in fall too.
Broccoli	Jan 17 – Jan 31	—	Feb 14 – Feb 21	Sep 25 – Oct 2	55–80 days	Start indoors 5-7 weeks before last frost; transplant out 2-3 weeks before last frost (hardens off to light frost).
Cauliflower	Jan 17 – Jan 31	—	Feb 21 – Feb 28	Sep 18 – Sep 25	55–85 days	Fussier than broccoli about temperature swings; start indoors 5-7 weeks before last frost, transplant 1-2 weeks before last frost.
Cabbage	Jan 17 – Jan 31	—	Feb 7 – Feb 21	Sep 18 – Oct 2	60–100 days	Cold-hardy; start indoors 5-7 weeks before last frost, transplant 2-4 weeks before last frost.
Brussels Sprouts	Jan 17 – Jan 31	—	Feb 14 – Feb 28	—	90–110 days	Long-season crop best timed to mature after a light fall frost for sweetest flavor; start indoors 5-7 weeks before last frost.
Carrot	—	Feb 7 – Feb 21	—	Sep 4 – Sep 18	60–80 days	Direct sow only (does not transplant); sow 2-4 weeks before last frost, as soon as soil can be worked.
Beet	—	Feb 7 – Feb 21	—	Sep 18 – Oct 2	50–65 days	Direct sow 2-4 weeks before last frost; tolerates light frost.
Radish	—	Jan 31 – Feb 14	—	Oct 16 – Oct 30	22–30 days	Very fast and cold-hardy; direct sow 3-5 weeks before last frost, as soon as soil can be worked.
Turnip	—	Feb 7 – Feb 21	—	Sep 18 – Oct 2	40–60 days	Cold-hardy; direct sow 2-4 weeks before last frost.
Onion	Dec 27 – Jan 10	—	Feb 7 – Feb 21	—	90–120 days	Start seeds indoors 8-10 weeks before last frost (or use sets/transplants); set out 2-4 weeks before last frost, very cold-tolerant as seedlings.
Garlic	—	—	—	Oct 30 – Nov 13	240–270 days	Fall-planted crop only; not planted in spring in most climates.
Potato	—	Feb 7 – Feb 21	—	—	70–120 days	Plant seed potatoes 2-4 weeks before last frost, as soon as soil can be worked and is above 45F; light frost on emerging foliage is usually tolerated.
Sweet Potato	—	—	Mar 21 – Apr 4	—	90–120 days	Set out slips 2-4 weeks after last frost once soil is thoroughly warm (65F+); very frost/cold sensitive.
Asparagus	—	—	Feb 7 – Feb 21	—	730–1095 days	Perennial; plant crowns 2-4 weeks before last frost as soon as soil can be worked. Takes 2-3 years to full production.

Herbs
Crop	Start indoors	Direct sow	Transplant	Fall planting	Maturity	Notes
Basil	Jan 24 – Jan 31	—	Mar 14 – Mar 21	—	50–70 days	Very frost/cold sensitive; start indoors 5-6 weeks before last frost, transplant only after all danger of frost (1-2 weeks after) and nights stay warm.
Cilantro	—	Feb 14 – Feb 28	—	Oct 2 – Oct 16	45–70 days	Cool-season, bolts in heat; direct sow 1-3 weeks before last frost, succession sow through spring.
Parsley	Jan 10 – Jan 24	—	Feb 21 – Feb 28	—	70–90 days	Slow to germinate; start indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost, transplant 1-2 weeks before last frost (biennial, cold-tolerant).
Dill	—	Feb 14 – Feb 28	—	—	40–60 days	Taprooted, does not transplant well; direct sow 1-3 weeks before last frost, succession sow through summer.
Oregano	Jan 10 – Jan 24	—	Mar 7 – Mar 14	—	80–90 days	Perennial herb; start indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost, transplant around/just after last frost date.
Thyme	Jan 10 – Jan 24	—	Mar 7 – Mar 14	—	85–95 days	Perennial herb, slow from seed; start indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost, transplant around/after last frost.

Flowers
Crop	Start indoors	Direct sow	Transplant	Fall planting	Maturity	Notes
Sunflower	—	Mar 14 – Mar 28	—	—	70–100 days	Direct sow 1-3 weeks after last frost once soil has warmed; taprooted, resents transplanting.
Zinnia	Feb 7 – Feb 14	Mar 14 – Mar 28	Mar 14 – Mar 21	—	60–70 days	Frost-tender; direct sow 1-3 weeks after last frost, or start indoors 3-4 weeks early for earlier blooms.
Marigold	Jan 24 – Feb 7	—	Mar 14 – Mar 21	—	45–60 days	Frost-tender; start indoors 4-6 weeks before last frost, transplant after all frost danger has passed.
Cosmos	Feb 7 – Feb 14	Mar 14 – Mar 28	Mar 14 – Mar 21	—	60–90 days	Easy from direct seed 1-3 weeks after last frost; can also start indoors 3-4 weeks early.
Nasturtium	—	Mar 14 – Mar 28	—	—	50–65 days	Frost-tender, resents root disturbance; direct sow 1-3 weeks after last frost once soil has warmed.
Dahlia	—	—	Mar 14 – Mar 28	—	90–120 days	Plant tubers 1-3 weeks after last frost once soil is warm (60F+); very frost-sensitive.

Date ranges are estimates based on university extension guidelines and this city's NOAA frost normals — not a guarantee. Scroll to see all columns on narrow screens.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the last frost in Ladson, SC?

Based on 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals for the CHARLESTON INTL AP, SC US station, the last spring frost in Ladson typically falls around March 7. A cautious gardener might wait until March 27 (only a 10% chance of a later frost), while February 12 marks an earlier, higher-risk planting date.

When is the first frost in Ladson, SC in fall?

The first fall frost in Ladson typically arrives around November 27. To stay safe, assume frost could start as early as November 8; in milder years it can hold off until December 21.

How long is the growing season in Ladson, SC?

Ladson's average frost-free growing season is about 266 days, running from the typical last spring frost (March 7) to the typical first fall frost (November 27).

What USDA hardiness zone is Ladson, SC in?

Ladson, SC is in USDA plant hardiness zone 8b, per the USDA's 2023 Plant Hardiness Zone Map. Mild winters and a long growing season, room for both cool- and warm-season crops.