Frost Dates & Planting Calendar for Parker, SC
Plan your garden around Parker, 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 28
Safe Apr 12
Typical Mar 28
Risky Mar 13
First Fall Frost
November 7
Safe Oct 24
Typical Nov 7
Risky Nov 26
Growing Season
225 days
Typical last frost to typical first frost.
USDA Hardiness Zone
Zone 8a
Mild winters and a long growing season, room for both cool- and warm-season crops.
Data: NOAA station GREENVILLE, SC US, 8.8 km away.
—
days until the typical last spring frost
Monthly Temperatures
Avg. high
Avg. temp
Avg. low
Planting Calendar
| Crop | Start indoors | Direct sow | Transplant | Fall planting | Maturity | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tomato | Jan 31 – Feb 14 | — | Apr 4 – Apr 11 | — | 60–85 days | Start indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost; transplant out 1-2 weeks after last frost once soil has warmed. |
| Pepper | Jan 17 – Jan 31 | — | Apr 4 – Apr 18 | — | 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 | Jan 17 – Jan 31 | — | Apr 11 – Apr 18 | — | 65–85 days | Warm-season crop, similar timing to pepper; needs consistently warm soil (65F+) to transplant. |
| Cucumber | Feb 28 – Mar 7 | Apr 4 – Apr 11 | Apr 4 – Apr 11 | — | 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 | Mar 7 – Mar 14 | Apr 4 – Apr 18 | Apr 4 – Apr 11 | — | 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 28 – Mar 7 | Apr 4 – Apr 18 | Apr 4 – Apr 11 | — | 80–110 days | Long season; direct sow after soil warms, or start indoors 3-4 weeks before last frost in short-season climates. |
| Pumpkin | — | Apr 4 – Apr 18 | — | — | 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 28 – Mar 7 | — | Apr 11 – Apr 18 | — | 70–90 days | Needs warm soil (65F+); start indoors 3-4 weeks before last frost, transplant 2-3 weeks after last frost. |
| Cantaloupe | Feb 28 – Mar 7 | — | Apr 11 – Apr 18 | — | 70–90 days | Same warm-soil requirements as watermelon; avoid disturbing roots when transplanting. |
| Corn | — | Mar 28 – Apr 11 | — | — | 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 28 – Apr 11 | — | — | 50–65 days | Direct sow at last frost to 2 weeks after, once soil has warmed; frost-tender, do not rush. |
| Pea | — | Feb 14 – Feb 28 | — | — | 55–70 days | Cold-hardy; direct sow 4-6 weeks before last frost as soon as soil can be worked. |
| Lettuce | — | Feb 28 – Mar 14 | — | Sep 12 – Sep 26 | 45–60 days | Cold-hardy; direct sow 2-4 weeks before last frost. Also transplantable from indoor starts. |
| Spinach | — | Feb 14 – Feb 28 | — | Sep 12 – Sep 26 | 40–50 days | Very cold-hardy; direct sow 4-6 weeks before last frost as soon as soil can be worked. |
| Kale | — | Feb 28 – Mar 14 | — | Aug 29 – Sep 12 | 50–65 days | Cold-hardy; direct sow 2-4 weeks before last frost or start indoors for earlier transplants. |
| Arugula | — | Feb 28 – Mar 14 | — | Sep 26 – Oct 3 | 30–40 days | Fast-growing, cold-tolerant green; direct sow 2-4 weeks before last frost, succession sow every 2-3 weeks. |
| Swiss Chard | — | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | — | — | 50–60 days | Fairly cold-hardy; direct sow 1-3 weeks before last frost. Tolerates light frost in fall too. |
| Broccoli | Feb 7 – Feb 21 | — | Mar 7 – Mar 14 | Sep 5 – Sep 12 | 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 | Feb 7 – Feb 21 | — | Mar 14 – Mar 21 | Aug 29 – Sep 5 | 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 | Feb 7 – Feb 21 | — | Feb 28 – Mar 14 | Aug 29 – Sep 12 | 60–100 days | Cold-hardy; start indoors 5-7 weeks before last frost, transplant 2-4 weeks before last frost. |
| Brussels Sprouts | Feb 7 – Feb 21 | — | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | — | 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 28 – Mar 14 | — | Aug 15 – Aug 29 | 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 28 – Mar 14 | — | Aug 29 – Sep 12 | 50–65 days | Direct sow 2-4 weeks before last frost; tolerates light frost. |
| Radish | — | Feb 21 – Mar 7 | — | Sep 26 – Oct 10 | 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 28 – Mar 14 | — | Aug 29 – Sep 12 | 40–60 days | Cold-hardy; direct sow 2-4 weeks before last frost. |
| Onion | Jan 17 – Jan 31 | — | Feb 28 – Mar 14 | — | 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 10 – Oct 24 | 240–270 days | Fall-planted crop only; not planted in spring in most climates. |
| Potato | — | Feb 28 – Mar 14 | — | — | 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 | — | — | Apr 11 – Apr 25 | — | 90–120 days | Set out slips 2-4 weeks after last frost once soil is thoroughly warm (65F+); very frost/cold sensitive. |
| Asparagus | — | — | Feb 28 – Mar 14 | — | 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. |
| Crop | Start indoors | Direct sow | Transplant | Fall planting | Maturity | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Basil | Feb 14 – Feb 21 | — | Apr 4 – Apr 11 | — | 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 | — | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | — | Sep 12 – Sep 26 | 45–70 days | Cool-season, bolts in heat; direct sow 1-3 weeks before last frost, succession sow through spring. |
| Parsley | Jan 31 – Feb 14 | — | Mar 14 – Mar 21 | — | 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 | — | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | — | — | 40–60 days | Taprooted, does not transplant well; direct sow 1-3 weeks before last frost, succession sow through summer. |
| Oregano | Jan 31 – Feb 14 | — | Mar 28 – Apr 4 | — | 80–90 days | Perennial herb; start indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost, transplant around/just after last frost date. |
| Thyme | Jan 31 – Feb 14 | — | Mar 28 – Apr 4 | — | 85–95 days | Perennial herb, slow from seed; start indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost, transplant around/after last frost. |
| Crop | Start indoors | Direct sow | Transplant | Fall planting | Maturity | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sunflower | — | Apr 4 – Apr 18 | — | — | 70–100 days | Direct sow 1-3 weeks after last frost once soil has warmed; taprooted, resents transplanting. |
| Zinnia | Feb 28 – Mar 7 | Apr 4 – Apr 18 | Apr 4 – Apr 11 | — | 60–70 days | Frost-tender; direct sow 1-3 weeks after last frost, or start indoors 3-4 weeks early for earlier blooms. |
| Marigold | Feb 14 – Feb 28 | — | Apr 4 – Apr 11 | — | 45–60 days | Frost-tender; start indoors 4-6 weeks before last frost, transplant after all frost danger has passed. |
| Cosmos | Feb 28 – Mar 7 | Apr 4 – Apr 18 | Apr 4 – Apr 11 | — | 60–90 days | Easy from direct seed 1-3 weeks after last frost; can also start indoors 3-4 weeks early. |
| Nasturtium | — | Apr 4 – Apr 18 | — | — | 50–65 days | Frost-tender, resents root disturbance; direct sow 1-3 weeks after last frost once soil has warmed. |
| Dahlia | — | — | Apr 4 – Apr 18 | — | 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 Parker, SC?
Based on 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals for the GREENVILLE, SC US station, the last spring frost in Parker typically falls around March 28. A cautious gardener might wait until April 12 (only a 10% chance of a later frost), while March 13 marks an earlier, higher-risk planting date.
When is the first frost in Parker, SC in fall?
The first fall frost in Parker typically arrives around November 7. To stay safe, assume frost could start as early as October 24; in milder years it can hold off until November 26.
How long is the growing season in Parker, SC?
Parker's average frost-free growing season is about 225 days, running from the typical last spring frost (March 28) to the typical first fall frost (November 7).
What USDA hardiness zone is Parker, SC in?
Parker, SC is in USDA plant hardiness zone 8a, per the USDA's 2023 Plant Hardiness Zone Map. Mild winters and a long growing season, room for both cool- and warm-season crops.