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When to Plant Lettuce in South Carolina

Lettuce is a fast-growing cool-season green available in leaf, romaine, butterhead, and crisphead types. It is the foundation of salads and one of the easiest crops to grow.

South Carolina spans USDA hardiness zones 7b, 8a, 8b (with planting data available), so planting dates vary by your location within the state. Click your zone below for the most accurate dates.

Find Your County

Click your county for exact Lettuce planting dates based on your local frost dates.

Lettuce Planting Calendar for South Carolina

Zone 7b ~235 day growing season · Full guide →

Last frost: March 18 · First frost: November 8 · 235 day season

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 11 Feb 11 – Feb 25
Transplant Outdoors March 18 Mar 18 – Apr 1
Direct Sow March 4 Mar 4 – Mar 25
Harvest April 22 Apr 22 – Jul 1
Fall Sowing August 30 Aug 30 – Sep 13
Zone 8a ~255 day growing season · Full guide →

Last frost: March 8 · First frost: November 18 · 255 day season

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 1 Feb 1 – Feb 15
Transplant Outdoors March 8 Mar 8 – Mar 22
Direct Sow February 22 Feb 22 – Mar 15
Harvest April 12 Apr 12 – Jun 21
Fall Sowing September 9 Sep 9 – Sep 23
Zone 8b ~276 day growing season · Full guide →

Last frost: February 25 · First frost: November 28 · 276 day season

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors January 21 Jan 21 – Feb 4
Transplant Outdoors February 25 Feb 25 – Mar 11
Direct Sow February 11 Feb 11 – Mar 4
Harvest April 1 Apr 1 – Jun 10
Fall Sowing September 19 Sep 19 – Oct 3

Growing Tips for South Carolina

Sow seeds directly every 2 weeks for continuous harvest. Provide afternoon shade in warm weather to delay bolting. Harvest in the morning for crispest leaves.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Lettuce in South Carolina?

Planting dates for Lettuce in South Carolina depend on your USDA zone. South Carolina spans zones 7b, 8a, 8b. Check the planting calendar above for your specific zone's frost dates and planting windows.

What zone is South Carolina for planting?

South Carolina contains USDA hardiness zones 7b, 8a, 8b. Your specific zone depends on your location within the state — northern and higher-elevation areas are in colder zones, while southern and coastal areas are warmer.

Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals, University Cooperative Extension planting guides. Last updated: April 2026.