Hemingway 8 ESE, SC Frost Dates & Growing Season

The two dates every Hemingway 8 ESE garden is planned around, plus ready-computed planting windows for the most popular crops.

Last spring frost
Mar 23
~50% chance of frost after
First fall frost
Nov 15
~50% chance of frost before
Growing season
237 days
frost-free stretch
USDA zone
≈ 8b
estimated from nearby reference
Risky (1 year in 10)MedianSafe (9 years in 10)
Last spring frost Mar 2 Mar 23 Apr 7
First fall frost Dec 5 Nov 15 Nov 1
Hard freeze (28°F), median last Mar 4 · first Dec 1

Computed from NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals at the HEMINGWAY 8 ESE station. "Safe" means frost past that date happens only about one year in ten. Your exact garden can still run days either way with elevation and terrain — check your own ZIP with the frost date lookup.

Planting windows for Hemingway 8 ESE

Computed from Hemingway 8 ESE's own frost dates. Click any crop for the full zone-8 growing guide — varieties, spacing, fall plantings, and more.

CropStart seeds indoorsTransplantDirect sow
🍅 Tomatoes Jan 26 – Feb 9 Mar 30 – Apr 6
🫑 Peppers Jan 12 – Jan 26 Apr 6 – Apr 13
🥬 Lettuce Feb 9 – Feb 23 Feb 23 – Mar 9 Feb 23 – Mar 23
🫛 Peas Feb 9 – Feb 23
🥕 Carrots Mar 2 – Mar 23
🥦 Broccoli Feb 2 – Feb 16 Mar 2 – Mar 16
🥬 Kale Feb 9 – Feb 23 Feb 23 – Mar 9 Feb 23 – Mar 9
🥒 Cucumbers Feb 23 – Mar 2 Mar 30 – Apr 6 Mar 30 – Apr 6
🥒 Zucchini Feb 23 – Mar 2 Mar 30 – Apr 6 Mar 30 – Apr 6
🫘 Green Beans (Bush) Mar 30 – Apr 6
🌽 Sweet Corn Mar 30 – Apr 6
🌿 Basil Feb 9 – Feb 23 Mar 30 – Apr 6 Apr 6 – Apr 13
🧄 Garlic Fall: Oct 4 – Nov 1

Want this for all 50 crops, or as a printable seed-shelf schedule? Use the planting calendar and the seed starting scheduler — both can use Hemingway 8 ESE's dates automatically after a lookup.

Reading the season in Hemingway 8 ESE

With roughly 237 frost-free days, Hemingway 8 ESE gardens fit long-season crops — melons, winter squash, sweet potatoes — with room left for spring and fall rounds of greens and roots. The first frost around Nov 15 is late enough that fall planting is a full second season, not an afterthought.

Frequently asked questions

When is the last frost in Hemingway 8 ESE, SC?

The average last spring frost in Hemingway 8 ESE is around Mar 23, based on 1991–2020 climate normals. That's a median — about half of years see a later frost, so tender crops are safest going out a week or two after this date.

When is the first frost in Hemingway 8 ESE, SC?

The average first fall frost in Hemingway 8 ESE arrives around Nov 15. Crops still in the garden need to mature before then, and frost-tender plants need harvesting or protection as the date approaches.

How long is the growing season in Hemingway 8 ESE?

About 237 frost-free days on average, from Mar 23 to Nov 15. That comfortably fits long-season crops like melons and winter squash, plus spring and fall plantings of cool-season vegetables.

What USDA zone is Hemingway 8 ESE in?

USDA zone 8b on the 2023 Plant Hardiness Zone Map. Note that zones describe winter cold, not frost timing — these frost dates are the numbers to plan plantings around.