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When to Plant Corn in Orangeburg 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.

Orangeburg County, South Carolina is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 15 and the first fall frost is November 13, giving you a growing season of approximately 243 days.

At an elevation of 441 feet, Orangeburg County receives approximately 49.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sandy loam soil. Summer highs average 98ยฐF, 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.

Orangeburg County, SC (Zone 8a) Long season
243 days
Last Spring Frost March 15
243 growing days
First Fall Frost November 13

Orangeburg County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sandy Loam

Soil pH

5.2-6

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (124 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 8 🍅 Harvest: May 10 – Jul 5
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (124 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 15 🍅 Harvest: May 17 – Jul 12
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (120 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 3 🍅 Harvest: Jun 5 – Jul 31

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
0.9″/week
You supply
0.1″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 305 gal / 100 sq ft
Corn needs ~1,880 GDD — county provides 5,710 GDD Excellent fit

Corn Planting Timeline โ€” Orangeburg County, SC

Corn Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow March 22 Mar 22 โ€“ Apr 12
Harvest May 24 May 24 โ€“ Jul 19

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

243 days

Growing Tips for Orangeburg 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

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Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Corn in Orangeburg County, SC?

Orangeburg County is in Zone 8a with an average last frost of March 15. Plan your Corn planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Orangeburg County, SC?

Orangeburg County, South Carolina is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 15 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 Orangeburg 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 Orangeburg County, SC. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.