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When to Plant Garlic in Barnwell County, SC

Garlic is a pungent allium planted in fall and harvested the following summer. Hardneck varieties produce edible flower stalks (scapes) and are more cold-hardy.

Barnwell County, South Carolina is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 22 and the first fall frost is November 10, giving you a growing season of approximately 233 days.

At an elevation of 157 feet, Barnwell County receives approximately 48.4 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sandy loam soil. Summer highs average 97ยฐF, so Garlic may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. Sandy soil warms quickly in spring โ€” great for early planting โ€” but Garlic will need more frequent watering and organic matter to retain nutrients.

Barnwell County, SC (Zone 8a) Long season
233 days
Last Spring Frost March 22
233 growing days
First Fall Frost November 10

Barnwell County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sandy Loam

Soil pH

5-6.3

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Mar 11 🍅 Harvest: Jun 10 – Nov 25
Recommended (50%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Mar 22 🍅 Harvest: Jun 21 – Dec 6
Safe Start (90%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Apr 8 🍅 Harvest: Jul 8 – Dec 23

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
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Garlic needs ~3,754 GDD — county provides 5,300 GDD Excellent fit

Garlic Planting Timeline โ€” Barnwell County, SC

Garlic Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Fall Sowing September 29 Sep 29 โ€“ Oct 13

Plant 1" deep ยท 6" apart ยท Rows 12" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

Water

Moderate โ€” regular watering

Days to Maturity

90โ€“240 days

Soil pH

6 โ€“ 7.5

USDA Zone

Zone 8a

Growing Season

233 days

Growing Tips for Barnwell County

Plant individual cloves pointed end up in fall, 6 weeks before ground freezes. Mulch heavily with straw. Harvest when lower leaves begin to brown but 5-6 green leaves remain.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Avoid Planting Near

  • Peas
  • Green Beans
  • Asparagus

Level Up Your Garden

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Garlic in Barnwell County, SC?

Barnwell County is in Zone 8a with an average last frost of March 22. Plan your Garlic planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Barnwell County, SC?

Barnwell County, South Carolina is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 22 and first fall frost is November 10.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Barnwell 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 Barnwell County, SC. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.