When to plant in Aiken, SC
USDA Zone 8bAiken, South Carolina frost dates, USDA zone, and a full-year planting calendar, drawn from the nearest NOAA station and tuned to the local season.
Zone 8b means many perennials and even some tender shrubs overwinter in Aiken, while your frost dates still decide when annuals go out.
Frost probability
AIKEN 2 E · 1991–2020The date the last spring and first fall frost occur, by threshold and probability. A 90% date is later in spring — and earlier in fall — than a 10% date; the 50% · 32°F row is what most gardeners plan around. These are Aiken’s own odds, recorded at AIKEN 2 E.
| Threshold | SPRING 10% | SPRING 50% | SPRING 90% | FALL 10% | FALL 50% | FALL 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36°F | Apr 15 | Mar 31 | Mar 16 | Oct 22 | Nov 3 | Nov 18 |
| 32°F | Apr 5 | Mar 19 | Feb 28 | Nov 1 | Nov 14 | Dec 4 |
| 28°F | Mar 27 | Mar 4 | Feb 5 | Nov 9 | Nov 30 | Dec 24 |
Download this table as CSV ↓ — every threshold and probability, plus this city’s planting-window dates.
What to plant now
TODAY · JULY 19Full-year planting calendar
Each bar is the exact window to take a planting action in Aiken, drawn to the day from the local frost dates. The dashed line is today.
Nearby weather stations
3 within 8 km · complete 32°F normalsWhen stations disagree by more than a few days, that spread is real microclimate variation — elevation, water, urban heat. Judge which station best matches your own yard.
Aiken planting FAQ
When is the last spring frost in Aiken, SC?
Plan for the last spring frost in Aiken around March 19 (the date it has a 50% chance of a 32°F freeze). Anything frost-sensitive should go out after it.
When is the first fall frost in Aiken, SC?
The first fall frost in Aiken typically arrives around November 14 (50% probability at 32°F). Harvest or protect frost-sensitive crops before then.
What hardiness zone is Aiken in?
Aiken is in USDA hardiness zone 8b. In zone 8b, winters are mild — many tender perennials overwinter here.
How long is the growing season in Aiken?
There are roughly 240 frost-free days in Aiken (a long growing season), running from the average last frost around March 19 to the first fall frost near November 14.
When should I plant tomatoes in Aiken?
In Aiken, start tomato seeds indoors around January 22–February 5, then transplant seedlings outdoors around March 26 once the danger of frost has passed.
Never miss a window in Aiken
An email when it’s time to start seeds, transplant, and sow — timed to Aiken’s frost dates. Double opt-in, one-click unsubscribe, no spam.
Nearby cities
8 within reach- North Augusta · 21 km
- Martinez · 35 km
- Augusta-Richmond County · 37 km
- Evans · 39 km
- Grovetown · 46 km
- Red Bank · 63 km
- Lexington · 69 km
- Oak Grove · 73 km
Frost dates recorded at AIKEN 2 E, 3 km from the city center · 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals · zone from the USDA/PRISM 2023 map. How we compute this.
BlissGarden. "When to Plant in Aiken, SC — Frost Dates & Zone 8b." Frost normals: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station USC00380072. Retrieved from https://blissgarden.com/south-carolina/aiken.