Charleston, SC Planting Calendar

The last spring frost in Charleston usually comes around Feb 10 and the first fall frost around Dec 1, a growing season of about 294 days. Start tomatoes indoors Dec 30 – Jan 13 and plant them outside Feb 24 – Mar 10.

Last spring frostFeb 10

First fall frostDec 1

Growing season294 days

When to plant vegetables in Charleston

Vegetable	Start seeds indoors	Plant outside	Fall crop
Tomatoes	Dec 30 – Jan 13	Feb 24 – Mar 10	—
Peppers	Dec 23 – Jan 6	Mar 3 – Mar 17	—
Eggplant	Dec 23 – Jan 6	Mar 3 – Mar 17	—
Cucumbers	—	Feb 24 – Mar 10	—
Zucchini & summer squash	—	Feb 24 – Mar 10	—
Pumpkins & winter squash	—	Mar 3 – Mar 17	—
Green beans	—	Feb 24 – Mar 10	Sep 8 – Sep 22
Sweet corn	—	Feb 24 – Mar 10	—
Basil	Jan 13 – Jan 27	Feb 24 – Mar 10	—
Lettuce	Dec 16 – Dec 30	Jan 13 – Feb 24	Oct 6 – Oct 20
Spinach	—	Dec 30 – Jan 20	Oct 6 – Oct 20
Peas	—	Dec 30 – Jan 20	Sep 22 – Oct 6
Carrots	—	Jan 13 – Feb 17	Sep 8 – Sep 22
Radishes	—	Jan 6 – Feb 24	Oct 20 – Nov 3
Broccoli	Dec 2 – Dec 16	Jan 13 – Jan 27	Sep 8 – Sep 22
Kale	Dec 16 – Dec 30	Jan 6 – Jan 20	Sep 22 – Oct 6
Onions	—	Jan 13 – Jan 27	—
Potatoes	—	Jan 20 – Feb 17	—
Garlic	—	—	Nov 17 – Dec 22

Dates count from the median frost dates (2016–2025) for Charleston. In a cold spring, wait a week; in a warm one you can go a week early.

Month-by-month planting in Charleston

JanuaryStart indoors: Tomatoes, Peppers, Eggplant, BasilPlant outside: Lettuce, Spinach, Peas, Carrots, Radishes, Broccoli, Kale, Onions, Potatoes
FebruaryPlant outside: Tomatoes, Cucumbers, Zucchini & summer squash, Green beans, Sweet corn, Basil, Lettuce, Carrots, Radishes, Potatoes
MarchPlant outside: Tomatoes, Peppers, Eggplant, Cucumbers, Zucchini & summer squash, Pumpkins & winter squash, Green beans, Sweet corn, Basil
AprilPlan, order seeds and prepare beds.
MayPlan, order seeds and prepare beds.
JunePlan, order seeds and prepare beds.
JulyPlan, order seeds and prepare beds.
AugustPlan, order seeds and prepare beds.
SeptemberPlant outside: Green beans, Peas, Carrots, Broccoli, Kale
OctoberPlant outside: Lettuce, Spinach, Peas, Radishes, Kale
NovemberPlant outside: Radishes, Garlic
DecemberStart indoors: Tomatoes, Peppers, Eggplant, Lettuce, Broccoli, KalePlant outside: Spinach, Peas, Garlic

Tools for this season

Seed starting kitTrays with humidity domes for starting seeds indoors.See options on Amazon LED grow lightKeeps indoor seedlings short and sturdy.See options on Amazon Frost clothCovers tender plants on a surprise frost night.See options on Amazon Soil thermometerCheck the soil at 4 inches before you spread anything.See options on Amazon

We may earn a commission when you buy through these links, at no extra cost to you. How this works

Frequently asked questions

When is the last frost in Charleston?

The median last spring frost is Feb 10 and the median first fall frost is Dec 1, based on 2016–2025 weather data.

When should I plant tomatoes in Charleston?

Start seeds indoors Dec 30 – Jan 13 and set plants outside Feb 24 – Mar 10, once nights stay above 50°F.

When should I plant a fall garden in Charleston?

Sow or transplant cool-season crops 6 to 12 weeks before the first fall frost (around Dec 1): broccoli and carrots first, lettuce, spinach and radishes last.