Cool-Season Vegetable

When to Plant Kale in South Carolina

The toughest green in the garden. Kale laughs at frost and actually tastes sweeter after a cold snap.

The Short Answer

Kale are cold-tolerant and do well in South Carolina's varied climate. You can direct sow 4 weeks before your last frost — that's as early as Mar 25 - Apr 10 in Upstate. South Carolina gardeners can also plant a fall crop. Red clay in Piedmont. Sandy soils on coast. Acidic throughout. Rich alluvial soils in river valleys.

South Carolina Frost Dates

Your planting dates depend on which part of South Carolina you're in. Here are the frost date ranges by region:

Region Zones Last Frost (Spring) First Frost (Fall)
Upstate 7a, 7b Mar 25 - Apr 10 Oct 20 - Nov 5
Midlands 7b, 8a Mar 15 - Apr 1 Nov 1 - Nov 15
Coastal 8a, 8b, 9a Feb 25 - Mar 15 Nov 10 - Dec 1

Kale Planting Schedule for South Carolina

Upstate (Zones 7a, 7b)

Average last frost: Mar 25 - Apr 10 · Average first frost: Oct 20 - Nov 5

Start Seeds Indoors
4 wks before frost
Transplant Outside
3 wks before frost
Direct Sow
4 wks before frost
Fall Planting
8 wks before first frost

Midlands (Zones 7b, 8a)

Average last frost: Mar 15 - Apr 1 · Average first frost: Nov 1 - Nov 15

Start Seeds Indoors
4 wks before frost
Transplant Outside
3 wks before frost
Direct Sow
4 wks before frost
Fall Planting
8 wks before first frost

Coastal (Zones 8a, 8b, 9a)

Average last frost: Feb 25 - Mar 15 · Average first frost: Nov 10 - Dec 1

Start Seeds Indoors
4 wks before frost
Transplant Outside
3 wks before frost
Direct Sow
4 wks before frost
Fall Planting
8 wks before first frost

Growing Kale in South Carolina

Kale in South Carolina's Climate

Kale is a cool-season green in warm climates, producing from October through March. It handles your lightest frosts without damage and keeps producing when lettuce and spinach have bolted. In the mildest parts of your zone, kale can produce through the entire winter without protection.

Soil Considerations for South Carolina

Red clay in Piedmont. Sandy soils on coast. Acidic throughout. Rich alluvial soils in river valleys.

South Carolina Climate & Growing Season

Long, hot growing season. Subtropical on coast. Two main planting seasons. Summer heat can stress cool-season crops. Kale can handle frost well, which is an advantage in South Carolina's climate. You can push planting dates earlier in spring and extend into fall.

Growing season length varies across South Carolina: Upstate (7a, 7b) has a last frost around Mar 25 - Apr 10, while Coastal (8a, 8b, 9a) sees frost end around Feb 25 - Mar 15. This difference matters for kale — adjust your planting dates to match your specific region.

Growing Tips

Harvest outer leaves first, leaving the center to keep growing. Can survive temperatures down to 10°F with mulch protection.

Companion Planting

Plant kale alongside these companions for better growth:

Beets Celery Herbs Onions

Keep kale away from:

Strawberries Tomatoes

The Bottom Line

Kale can be grown successfully across South Carolina, but your exact planting dates depend on which region you're in. Upstate gardeners should plan around a Mar 25 - Apr 10 last frost, while those in Coastal can typically plant earlier. For exact dates based on your zip code, use our free planting date finder.

Related Guides

Kale Growing Guide National planting guide with all states South Carolina Planting Calendar All plants for South Carolina Kale in Alabama Alabama planting dates Kale in Alaska Alaska planting dates Kale in Arizona Arizona planting dates Kale in Arkansas Arkansas planting dates
Note: All dates are based on NOAA 30-year Climate Normals and represent historical averages, not predictions for any specific year. Always check your local weather forecast before planting frost-sensitive crops. Learn about our data sources.

Last reviewed: March 29, 2026

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