South Carolina Planting Calendar

Frost dates, growing zones, and planting dates for South Carolina gardeners.

Zone 7a Zone 7b Zone 8a Zone 8b Zone 9a

The Short Answer

South Carolina spans USDA zones 7a through 9a, which means planting dates vary significantly across the state. Upstate has an average last frost around Mar 25 - Apr 10, while Coastal sees its last frost around Feb 25 - Mar 15. Use our homepage tool with your zip code for dates specific to your exact location.

South Carolina Frost Dates by Region

Long, hot growing season. Subtropical on coast. Two main planting seasons. Summer heat can stress cool-season crops.

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

Soil & Growing Conditions

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

What to Plant in South Carolina

South Carolina's long season gives you two planting windows and room for crops that colder states can't grow. The key is timing around your summer heat peak:

Heat Lovers (South Carolina's Advantage)

OkraSweet PotatoesWatermelonEggplantPeppers

Spring & Fall Crops

TomatoesCucumbersBeans (Green/Snap)Squash (Summer)Corn (Sweet)BasilGarlicLettuceBroccoliCarrotsKalePeas

Flowers & Perennials

SunflowersZinniasLavenderMarigoldsDaylilies

Browse all 100 plants — or enter your zip code for personalized planting dates.

Neighboring States

Gardeners near state borders may find useful information in neighboring state guides:

Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming
Note: Frost dates are based on NOAA 30-year Climate Normals and represent historical averages. Actual frost dates can vary significantly year to year. Zone data is from the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map.

Last reviewed: March 29, 2026

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