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When to Plant Rosemary in Williamsburg County, SC

Rosemary is an aromatic evergreen shrub with needle-like leaves and a piney, citrus flavor. It is a Mediterranean herb that thrives in warm, dry conditions.

Williamsburg County, South Carolina is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 22 and the first fall frost is November 13, giving you a growing season of approximately 236 days.

At an elevation of 139 feet, Williamsburg County receives approximately 52.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sandy loam soil. Summer highs average 92ยฐF, providing good warmth for Rosemary during the growing season. Sandy soil warms quickly in spring โ€” great for early planting โ€” but Rosemary will need more frequent watering and organic matter to retain nutrients. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Rosemary root diseases.

Williamsburg County, SC (Zone 8a) Long season
236 days
Last Spring Frost March 22
236 growing days
First Fall Frost November 13

Williamsburg County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sandy Loam

Soil pH

5-6.4

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (7 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 17 🍅 Harvest: Jun 9 – Oct 27
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (5 days to spare)
Transplant: Mar 29 🍅 Harvest: Jun 21 – Nov 8
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (2 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 15 🍅 Harvest: Jul 8 – Nov 25

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
0.5″/week
Rainfall provides
0.9″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Rosemary needs ~2,470 GDD — county provides 4,484 GDD Excellent fit

Rosemary Planting Timeline โ€” Williamsburg County, SC

Rosemary Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors March 29 Mar 29 โ€“ Apr 12
Harvest June 21 Jun 21 โ€“ Nov 8

Plant 0.5" deep ยท 8" apart ยท Rows 12" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

Water

Low โ€” drought tolerant

Days to Maturity

80โ€“180 days

Soil pH

6 โ€“ 7.5

USDA Zone

Zone 8a

Growing Season

236 days

Growing Tips for Williamsburg County

Grow in well-drained soil and avoid overwatering. In cold climates, grow in containers and bring indoors for winter. Propagate from stem cuttings for faster results than seed.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Level Up Your Garden

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Rosemary in Williamsburg County, SC?

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

What planting zone is Williamsburg County, SC?

Williamsburg County, South Carolina is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 22 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 Williamsburg 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 Williamsburg County, SC. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.