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When to Plant Carrots in Charleston County, SC

Carrots are a popular root vegetable available in orange, purple, white, and yellow varieties. They are rich in beta-carotene and have a sweet, earthy flavor.

Charleston County, South Carolina is in USDA Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 6 and the first fall frost is November 17, giving you a growing season of approximately 256 days.

At an elevation of 275 feet, Charleston County receives approximately 48.1 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sandy loam soil. Summer highs average 95ยฐF, so Carrots may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. Sandy soil warms quickly in spring โ€” great for early planting โ€” but Carrots will need more frequent watering and organic matter to retain nutrients.

Charleston County, SC (Zone 8b) Long season
256 days
Last Spring Frost March 6
256 growing days
First Fall Frost November 17

Charleston County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sandy Loam

Soil pH

5-6

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (165 days to spare)
Transplant: Feb 20 🍅 Harvest: Apr 24 – May 29
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (158 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 6 🍅 Harvest: May 8 – Jun 12
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (158 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 29 🍅 Harvest: May 31 – Jul 5

Percentages indicate frost risk at transplant. The 70% safe window means there is a 30% chance of frost after transplant — suitable for cold-hardy crops or gardeners with frost protection. The 90% safe window is best for tender plants.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
0.8″/week
You supply
0.2″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 480 gal / 100 sq ft
Carrots needs ~1,488 GDD — county provides 5,440 GDD Excellent fit

Carrots Planting Timeline โ€” Charleston County, SC

Carrots Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow February 20 Feb 20 โ€“ Mar 13
Fall Sowing September 8 Sep 8 โ€“ Sep 22
Harvest April 24 Apr 24 โ€“ May 29

Plant 0.5" deep ยท 6" apart ยท Rows 12" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February Direct Sow
March Direct Sow
April Harvest
May Harvest
June โ€”
July โ€”
August โ€”
September Fall Sowing
October โ€”
November โ€”
December โ€”

Growing Conditions

Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

Water

Moderate โ€” regular watering

Days to Maturity

60โ€“80 days

Soil pH

6 โ€“ 6.8

USDA Zone

Zone 8b

Growing Season

256 days

Growing Tips for Charleston County

Sow seeds directly in loose, stone-free soil for straight roots. Keep soil moist until germination which can take 2-3 weeks. Thin seedlings to 2 inches apart.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Avoid Planting Near

  • Dill
  • Parsnip

Level Up Your Garden

๐ŸŒพ Save Your Own Carrots Seeds
Life Cycle Biennial
Pollination Cross-Pollinated (insects)
How to Collect Replant roots for 2nd year flowers. Harvest umbels when brown.
Storage Store airtight; viable 3 years at 35ยฐF, under 50% humidity.

Isolate 1/2 mile from Queen Anne's Lace (wild carrot). Biennial โ€” requires two seasons.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Carrots in Charleston County, SC?

Charleston County is in Zone 8b with an average last frost of March 6. Plan your Carrots planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Charleston County, SC?

Charleston County, South Carolina is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 6 and first fall frost is November 17.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Charleston County gardeners in Zone 8b organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

Get Your Free Garden Planner →

Free download. Plan your entire garden season in minutes.

Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Charleston County, SC. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.