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When to Plant Corn in Colleton County, SC

Corn is a warm-season grass grown for its sweet ears, which are best eaten soon after harvest. It is wind-pollinated and must be planted in blocks for good kernel fill.

Colleton County, South Carolina is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 10 and the first fall frost is November 13, giving you a growing season of approximately 248 days.

At an elevation of 265 feet, Colleton County receives approximately 58.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sandy loam soil. Summer highs average 96ยฐF, so Corn may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. Sandy soil warms quickly in spring โ€” great for early planting โ€” but Corn will need more frequent watering and organic matter to retain nutrients. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Corn root diseases.

Colleton County, SC (Zone 8a) Long season
248 days
Last Spring Frost March 10
248 growing days
First Fall Frost November 13

Colleton County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sandy Loam

Soil pH

4.9-6

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (139 days to spare)
Transplant: Feb 21 🍅 Harvest: Apr 25 – Jun 20
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (129 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 10 🍅 Harvest: May 12 – Jul 7
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (131 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 7 🍅 Harvest: Jun 9 – Aug 4

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
1.0″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Corn needs ~1,760 GDD — county provides 5,456 GDD Excellent fit

Corn Planting Timeline โ€” Colleton County, SC

Corn Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow March 17 Mar 17 โ€“ Apr 7
Harvest May 19 May 19 โ€“ Jul 14

Plant 1" deep ยท 12" apart ยท Rows 36" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

Water

Moderate โ€” regular watering

Days to Maturity

60โ€“100 days

Soil pH

6 โ€“ 7

USDA Zone

Zone 8a

Growing Season

248 days

Growing Tips for Colleton County

Plant in blocks of at least 4 rows rather than single rows for proper pollination. Direct sow after soil reaches 60F. Side-dress with nitrogen when plants are knee-high.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Avoid Planting Near

  • Tomatoes
  • Celery

Level Up Your Garden

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Corn in Colleton County, SC?

Colleton County is in Zone 8a with an average last frost of March 10. Plan your Corn planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Colleton County, SC?

Colleton County, South Carolina is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 10 and first fall frost is November 13.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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

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