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When to Plant Rosemary in York 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.

York County, South Carolina is in USDA Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is April 3 and the first fall frost is November 1, giving you a growing season of approximately 212 days.

At an elevation of 65 feet, York County receives approximately 61.3 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly clay loam soil. Summer highs average 91ยฐF, providing good warmth for Rosemary during the growing season. Clay soil retains moisture well for Rosemary, but amend with compost to improve drainage and prevent root rot. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Rosemary root diseases.

York County, SC (Zone 7b) Long season
212 days
Last Spring Frost April 3
212 growing days
First Fall Frost November 1

York County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Clay Loam

Soil pH

5.2-6.7

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Mar 31 🍅 Harvest: Jun 23 – Nov 10
Recommended (50%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Apr 10 🍅 Harvest: Jul 3 – Nov 20
Safe Start (90%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Apr 25 🍅 Harvest: Jul 18 – Dec 5

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
1.2″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Rosemary needs ~2,372 GDD — county provides 3,869 GDD Excellent fit

Rosemary Planting Timeline โ€” York County, SC

Rosemary Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors April 10 Apr 10 โ€“ Apr 24
Harvest July 3 Jul 3 โ€“ Nov 20

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March โ€”
April Transplant Outdoors
May โ€”
June โ€”
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 7b

Growing Season

212 days

Growing Tips for York 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 York County, SC?

York County is in Zone 7b with an average last frost of April 3. Plan your Rosemary planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is York County, SC?

York County, South Carolina is in USDA Hardiness Zone 7b. The average last spring frost is April 3 and first fall frost is November 1.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help York County gardeners in Zone 7b 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 York County, SC. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.