When to Plant in South Carolina: Vegetable & Flower Planting Calendar
Quick answer
Plant around your local last spring frost: across the 424 South Carolina ZIP codes where frost comes in most years, the median is Mar 24 and the median first fall frost is Nov 9 (nearest NOAA station, 1991–2020). Transplant tomatoes 1–2 weeks after your last frost: Zone 8 areas: Apr 2 – Apr 9; Zone 9 areas: Mar 10 – Mar 17.
South Carolina spans USDA hardiness zones 8a–9b on the 2023 USDA map (by ZIP code, via PRISM). For the 424 of its 424 ZIP codes where frost comes in most years, the nearest NOAA station’s median last spring frost (32°F, 1991–2020) is Mar 24 (middle 80% of ZIP codes: Mar 6 – Apr 8) and the median first fall frost is Nov 9 (Nov 1 – Nov 27). Use this guide to time seed-starting, transplanting and fall planting.
Where these dates come from: every date range is counted from the median (50% probability) 32°F last spring and first fall frost dates in NOAA’s 1991–2020 U.S. Climate Normals for the area shown. The rule under each date, such as “4–6 weeks before last frost,” shows how it was counted. These are averages: in about half of years a frost still comes after the spring date, and elevation, nearby water and microclimate can shift your yard by a week or more. For dates for your exact location, enter your ZIP code in the planner.
How we count planting dates: the weeks before or after frost for each crop come from university extension planting guides: UNH Extension, When to Plant Your Vegetable Garden; Rutgers FS787, Starting Vegetable Seeds Indoors; Virginia Tech 426-331, Home Garden Vegetable Planting Guide; University of Maryland Extension, Vegetable Planting Calendar; and University of Idaho CIS 1209 (marigolds and zinnias). Bulb windows approximate Rutgers’ rule to plant when soil falls below 60°F (FS1220), and garlic follows SDSU, Illinois and Virginia Tech. Temperature notes: UMD (potatoes), UMN (sweet corn), UC ANR (peppers, hardening off), UMN (eggplant), Colorado State (tomatoes) and SDSU (hardening off).
South Carolina frost dates by zone area
| Zone areas | Most common nearest NOAA stations | Median last spring frost (32°F) | Median first fall frost (32°F) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 8 (374 ZIP codes) | Spartanburg 3 Sse, SC, Hampton 1S, SC, Holly Hill 1 Sw, SC | Mar 26middle 80%: Mar 15 – Apr 8 | Nov 8middle 80%: Nov 1 – Nov 19 |
| Zone 9 (44 ZIP codes) | Charleston Intl Airport, SC, Beaufort Wwtp, SC, Charleston City, SC | Mar 3middle 80%: Feb 4 – Mar 13 | Dec 3middle 80%: Nov 27 – Dec 30 |
Source: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI), U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, annual/seasonal freeze-date probabilities (32°F, 50% probability). Station-level medians; your yard may differ.
How this table is built: each South Carolina ZIP code is matched to its nearest NOAA 1991–2020 freeze-data station (within 60 miles) and grouped by its 2023 USDA hardiness zone; dates are medians across the ZIP codes in each group. Some nearest stations are across the state line (Augusta Bush Fld Airport, GA, Augusta Daniel Fld Airport, GA, Gastonia Muni Airport, NC, Hartwell Dam, GA, Hartwell, GA, Lumber Rvr Sp, NC…). For your own ZIP, use the planner.
South Carolina vegetable planting calendar
Planting dates for each zone area of South Carolina, counted from that area’s median frost dates (shown under each column). Rows run in calendar order. For your exact dates, enter your ZIP.
| Plant, task and rule | Zone 8 areasLast frost Mar 26 · First frost Nov 8 | Zone 9 areasLast frost Mar 3 · First frost Dec 3 |
|---|---|---|
| Broccoli · Start indoors8–10 weeks before last frost | Jan 15 – Jan 29 | Dec 23 – Jan 6 |
| Cabbage · Start indoors8–10 weeks before last frost | Jan 15 – Jan 29 | Dec 23 – Jan 6 |
| Kale · Start indoors8–10 weeks before last frost | Jan 15 – Jan 29 | Dec 23 – Jan 6 |
| Tomatoes · Start indoors6–8 weeks before last frost | Jan 29 – Feb 12 | Jan 6 – Jan 20 |
| Peppers · Start indoors6–8 weeks before last frost | Jan 29 – Feb 12 | Jan 6 – Jan 20 |
| Eggplant · Start indoors6–8 weeks before last frost | Jan 29 – Feb 12 | Jan 6 – Jan 20 |
| Peas · Direct sow4–6 weeks before last frost | Feb 12 – Feb 26Harvest (est.) Apr 13 – May 17 | Jan 20 – Feb 3Harvest (est.) Mar 21 – Apr 24 |
| Spinach · Direct sow4–6 weeks before last frost | Feb 12 – Feb 26Harvest (est.) Mar 29 – Apr 27 | Jan 20 – Feb 3Harvest (est.) Mar 6 – Apr 4 |
| Basil · Start indoors4–6 weeks before last frost | Feb 12 – Feb 26 | Jan 20 – Feb 3 |
| Radishes · Direct sow2–5 weeks before last frost | Feb 19 – Mar 12Harvest (est.) Mar 11 – Apr 11 | Jan 27 – Feb 17Harvest (est.) Feb 16 – Mar 19 |
| Lettuce · Direct sow2–4 weeks before last frost | Feb 26 – Mar 12Harvest (est.) Apr 27 – May 31 | Feb 3 – Feb 17Harvest (est.) Apr 4 – May 8 |
| Onions (sets/transplants) · Plant sets/transplants2–4 weeks before last frost | Feb 26 – Mar 12Harvest (est.) May 22 – Jul 10 | Feb 3 – Feb 17Harvest (est.) Apr 29 – Jun 17 |
| Broccoli · Transplant2–4 weeks before last frost | Feb 26 – Mar 12Harvest (est.) Apr 17 – May 21 | Feb 3 – Feb 17Harvest (est.) Mar 25 – Apr 28 |
| Cabbage · Transplant2–4 weeks before last frost | Feb 26 – Mar 12Harvest (est.) May 7 – Jun 10 | Feb 3 – Feb 17Harvest (est.) Apr 14 – May 18 |
| Kale · Transplant2–4 weeks before last frost | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | Feb 3 – Feb 17 |
| Marigolds · Start indoors0–3 weeks before last frost (3–4 weeks before setting out; Univ. of Idaho) | Mar 5 – Mar 26 | Feb 10 – Mar 3 |
| Zinnias · Start indoors0–3 weeks before last frost (3–4 weeks before setting out; Univ. of Idaho) | Mar 5 – Mar 26 | Feb 10 – Mar 3 |
| Potatoes · Plant seed potatoes1–2 weeks before last frost | Mar 12 – Mar 19Harvest (est.) Jun 5 – Jul 7 | Feb 17 – Feb 24Harvest (est.) May 13 – Jun 14 |
| Marigolds · Direct sow / transplantfrom the last frost to 2 weeks after (Univ. of Idaho) | Mar 26 – Apr 9 | Mar 3 – Mar 17 |
| Zinnias · Direct sow / transplantfrom the last frost to 2 weeks after (Univ. of Idaho) | Mar 26 – Apr 9 | Mar 3 – Mar 17 |
| Tomatoes · Transplant1–2 weeks after last frost | Apr 2 – Apr 9Harvest (est.) Jun 11 – Jul 8 | Mar 10 – Mar 17Harvest (est.) May 19 – Jun 15 |
| Beans (bush & pole) · Direct sow1–2 weeks after last frost | Apr 2 – Apr 9Harvest (est.) May 17 – Jun 18 | Mar 10 – Mar 17Harvest (est.) Apr 24 – May 26 |
| Sweet corn · Direct sow1–2 weeks after last frost | Apr 2 – Apr 9Harvest (est.) Jun 6 – Jul 8 | Mar 10 – Mar 17Harvest (est.) May 14 – Jun 15 |
| Cucumbers · Direct sow1–2 weeks after last frost | Apr 2 – Apr 9Harvest (est.) May 12 – Jun 13 | Mar 10 – Mar 17Harvest (est.) Apr 19 – May 21 |
| Squash · Direct sow1–2 weeks after last frost | Apr 2 – Apr 9Harvest (est.) May 12 – May 29 | Mar 10 – Mar 17Harvest (est.) Apr 19 – May 6 |
| Pumpkins · Direct sow1–3 weeks after last frost | Apr 2 – Apr 16Harvest (est.) Jun 21 – Jul 25 | Mar 10 – Mar 24Harvest (est.) May 29 – Jul 2 |
| Basil · Transplant1–2 weeks after last frost | Apr 2 – Apr 9Harvest (est.) May 14 – May 21 | Mar 10 – Mar 17Harvest (est.) Apr 21 – Apr 28 |
| Peppers · Transplant2–3 weeks after last frost | Apr 9 – Apr 16Harvest (est.) Jun 13 – Jun 30 | Mar 17 – Mar 24Harvest (est.) May 21 – Jun 7 |
| Eggplant · Transplant2–3 weeks after last frost | Apr 9 – Apr 16Harvest (est.) Jun 18 – Jul 15 | Mar 17 – Mar 24Harvest (est.) May 26 – Jun 22 |
| Broccoli · Fall transplant10–12 weeks before first fall frost | Aug 16 – Aug 30Harvest (est.) Oct 5 – Nov 8 | Sep 10 – Sep 24Harvest (est.) Oct 30 – Dec 3 |
| Cabbage · Fall transplant10–12 weeks before first fall frost | Aug 16 – Aug 30Harvest (est.) Oct 25 – Nov 28 | Sep 10 – Sep 24Harvest (est.) Nov 19 – Dec 23 |
| Kale · Fall sow8–10 weeks before first fall frost | Aug 30 – Sep 13Harvest (est.) Oct 19 – Nov 22 | Sep 24 – Oct 8Harvest (est.) Nov 13 – Dec 17 |
| Lettuce · Fall sow6–8 weeks before first fall frost | Sep 13 – Sep 27Harvest (est.) Nov 12 – Dec 16 | Oct 8 – Oct 22Harvest (est.) Dec 7 – Jan 10, 2027 |
| Spinach · Fall sow4–7 weeks before first fall frost (Virginia Tech) | Sep 20 – Oct 11Harvest (est.) Nov 4 – Dec 10 | Oct 15 – Nov 5Harvest (est.) Nov 29 – Jan 4, 2027 |
| Radishes · Fall sow4–6 weeks before first fall frost | Sep 27 – Oct 11Harvest (est.) Oct 17 – Nov 10 | Oct 22 – Nov 5Harvest (est.) Nov 11 – Dec 5 |
| Daffodils · Fall plant bulbs4 weeks before to 2 weeks after first fall frost (our approximation of when soil falls below 60°F; Rutgers) | Oct 11 – Nov 22 | Nov 5 – Dec 17 |
| Tulips · Fall plant bulbs2 weeks before to 4 weeks after first fall frost (our approximation of when soil falls below 60°F; Rutgers) | Oct 25 – Dec 6 | Nov 19 – Dec 31 |
| Garlic · Fall plant cloves2 weeks before to 3 weeks after first fall frost, while the soil is still workable (SDSU, Illinois, Virginia Tech) | Oct 25 – Nov 29Harvest (est.) Jul 2, 2027 – Aug 26, 2027 | Nov 19 – Dec 24Harvest (est.) Jul 27, 2027 – Sep 20, 2027 |
About the harvest estimates
Each expected harvest window adds the days to harvest from the sources below to the planting window. Days count from sowing seed (or planting seed potatoes, onion sets or garlic cloves) or, where marked, from setting transplants out; “Start indoors” rows have no harvest of their own. Harvest timing varies with variety and weather, and many crops keep producing for weeks after the first picking. For frost-tender crops (tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, beans, sweet corn, cucumbers, squash, pumpkins, basil) the window stops at the first fall frost: harvest may end early at the first fall frost. Flowers and bulbs show no harvest window, and kale has no sourced figure for spring transplants.
Sources: UF/IFAS Extension, Florida Vegetable Gardening Guide (SP103/VH021), Table 1, “Days to Harvest”; University of Maryland Extension, Growing Onions in a Home Garden; University of Maryland Extension, Growing Garlic in a Home Garden; University of Maryland Extension, Growing Basil in a Home Garden.
Growing notes for each crop
- Peas: Tolerates light frost; sow when soil is workable
- Spinach: Fall crop too: sow 4–7 weeks before first fall frost (Virginia Tech)
- Lettuce: Bolts in heat; succession sow; fall crop too
- Radishes: Fast (3–4 weeks); sow again for fall (see Fall sow dates)
- Kale: Fall crop too (see Fall sow dates); frost sweetens leaves
- Onions (sets/transplants): Choose day-length type suited to your latitude
- Potatoes: Soil at least 45°F (UMD); hill as plants grow
- Broccoli: Cool-season; harden off; good fall crop
- Cabbage: Cool-season; harden off; good fall crop
- Tomatoes: Wait for nights reliably above about 52°F (Colorado State)
- Peppers: Need warm soil: about 65°F is optimal for transplanting (UC ANR)
- Eggplant: Transplant after nights stay above 50°F (UMN)
- Beans (bush & pole): Seeds rot in cold, wet soil
- Sweet corn: Soil 60°F+ (UNH, UMN); plant in blocks for pollination
- Cucumbers: Frost-tender; watch for cucumber beetles
- Squash: Frost-tender; watch for squash vine borer
- Pumpkins: For October pumpkins, many sow in late May–June
- Basil: Very cold-sensitive
- Marigolds: Easy warm-season annual
- Zinnias: Easy warm-season annual
- Tulips: Our frost-date window is an approximation of that soil rule. In zone 9, chill bulbs 12–16 weeks first (Clemson)
- Daffodils: Our frost-date window is an approximation of that soil rule; slightly earlier than tulips is fine
- Garlic: Harvest the following early summer
South Carolina USDA zone guides: Zone 8 planting guide Zone 9 planting guide
How we count planting dates: the weeks before or after frost for each crop come from university extension planting guides: UNH Extension, When to Plant Your Vegetable Garden; Rutgers FS787, Starting Vegetable Seeds Indoors; Virginia Tech 426-331, Home Garden Vegetable Planting Guide; University of Maryland Extension, Vegetable Planting Calendar; and University of Idaho CIS 1209 (marigolds and zinnias). Bulb windows approximate Rutgers’ rule to plant when soil falls below 60°F (FS1220), and garlic follows SDSU, Illinois and Virginia Tech. Temperature notes: UMD (potatoes), UMN (sweet corn), UC ANR (peppers, hardening off), UMN (eggplant), Colorado State (tomatoes) and SDSU (hardening off).
Tips for South Carolina gardeners
- Watch soil temperature, not just the calendar — warm-season crops stall in cold soil. An inexpensive soil thermometer helps.
- Harden off transplants over 7–10 days before planting out (UC ANR, SDSU).
- Ask your local Cooperative Extension office about varieties and timing for your county; find it in the USDA NIFA land-grant university directory.
- Keep weeds down early — see our weed identification guide.
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in South Carolina?
Across the 424 South Carolina ZIP codes where frost comes in most years, the median last spring frost (32°F, NOAA 1991–2020) at the nearest station is Mar 24, and the middle 80% of ZIP codes range from Mar 6 to Apr 8. Check the average for your ZIP code, and remember frost can occur after the average date.
When can I plant tomatoes in South Carolina?
Transplant tomatoes outdoors 1–2 weeks after your average last frost, once nights stay above about 52°F (Colorado State). Typical dates: Zone 8 areas: Apr 2 – Apr 9; Zone 9 areas: Mar 10 – Mar 17.
What USDA zone is South Carolina?
South Carolina spans roughly USDA hardiness zones 8a–9b on the 2023 USDA map (by ZIP code, via PRISM). Hardiness zones describe winter low temperatures, not frost dates.
Other state planting calendars
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