When to plant in Florence, SC
USDA Zone 8bHere are the average frost dates, USDA hardiness zone, and a month-by-month planting calendar for Florence, South Carolina — all computed from Florence's nearest NOAA weather station.
Zone 8b means many perennials and even some tender shrubs overwinter in Florence, while your frost dates still decide when annuals go out.
Frost probability
FLORENCE RGNL AP · 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 Florence’s own odds, recorded at FLORENCE RGNL AP.
| Threshold | SPRING 10% | SPRING 50% | SPRING 90% | FALL 10% | FALL 50% | FALL 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36°F | Apr 16 | Apr 1 | Mar 14 | Oct 23 | Nov 4 | Nov 18 |
| 32°F | Apr 5 | Mar 19 | Feb 28 | Nov 1 | Nov 13 | Dec 2 |
| 28°F | Mar 26 | Mar 4 | Feb 6 | Nov 9 | Nov 27 | Dec 23 |
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 Florence, drawn to the day from the local frost dates. The dashed line is today.
Nearby weather stations
3 within 16 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.
Florence planting FAQ
When is the last spring frost in Florence, SC?
Plan for the last spring frost in Florence 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 Florence, SC?
In Florence, the first 32°F freeze of fall lands around November 13 on average. Time your last harvests and any season-extension cover before it.
What hardiness zone is Florence in?
Florence is in USDA hardiness zone 8b. In zone 8b, winters are mild — many tender perennials overwinter here.
How long is the growing season in Florence?
There are roughly 239 frost-free days in Florence (a long growing season), running from the average last frost around March 19 to the first fall frost near November 13.
When should I plant tomatoes in Florence?
In Florence, 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 Florence
An email when it’s time to start seeds, transplant, and sow — timed to Florence’s frost dates. Double opt-in, one-click unsubscribe, no spam.
Nearby cities
8 within reach- Sumter · 62 km
- Laurinburg · 71 km
- Conway · 78 km
- Red Hill · 84 km
- Lumberton · 87 km
- Socastee · 91 km
- Carolina Forest · 93 km
- Murrells Inlet · 97 km
Frost dates recorded at FLORENCE RGNL AP, 6 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 Florence, SC — Frost Dates & Zone 8b." Frost normals: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station USW00013744. Retrieved from https://blissgarden.com/south-carolina/florence.