Berkeley County, SC — Planting Guide

Berkeley County, South Carolina Zone 8b May

May to-do list for Berkeley County, South Carolina

A quick May briefing for Berkeley County, South Carolina gardeners — what's urgent, what's next, and what can wait.

Avg. last frost February 29

Avg. first frost November 23

Soil temp (4") 72°F

Watering Low

Pest pressure High

Daylight 13.7 hrs

Berkeley County is in USDA Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 1 and the first fall frost is November 23, giving you a growing season of approximately 267 days.

At an elevation of 441 ft, Berkeley County receives approximately 52.8 in of rainfall annually. Summer highs average 93°F with winter lows around 42°F. The predominant soil type is Sandy Loam.

🌡️ Zone

8b (°F to °F min)

❄️ Last Frost

March 1

🍂 First Frost

November 23

📅 Growing Season

267 days

⛰️ Elevation

441 ft

🌧️ Annual Rainfall

52.8 in

Berkeley County, SC Long season

267 days

❄

Last Spring Frost March 1

➔ 267 growing days ➔

❄

First Fall Frost November 23

Berkeley County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sandy Loam

Soil pH

6.0-7.0

Drainage

Well Drained

Last Frost: Mar 1 First Frost: Nov 23

Soil & Growing Conditions in Berkeley County

Soil Type

Sandy Loam

Warms quickly and drains well. Add organic matter regularly to retain nutrients.

Watering Needs

With 52.8 inches of annual rainfall, supplemental watering is typically only needed during summer dry spells.

Season Tips

267-day frost-free season

Your long season supports multiple successions and heat-demanding crops like melons, sweet potatoes, and peppers. Plant warm-season crops as soon as soil warms.

Your Free Printable Garden Planner

Plan every bed, every planting, every harvest — in one place. This 24-page printable includes your zone's planting calendar, a month-by-month task list, a seed inventory tracker, a harvest log, and succession-planting charts. Built to print, write in, and actually use all season.

Recommended for Your Garden

🫧

Vermiculite $12-22

Retain moisture and nutrients in sandy soils with expanded vermiculite.

🧪

Soil Test Kit $12-25

Test your soil pH, nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium levels before planting.

📏

Digital pH Meter $10-20

Get instant, accurate soil pH readings to fine-tune your amendments.

🥬 Vegetables to Grow in Berkeley County

115 vegetables that grow well in Zone 8b with planting dates for Berkeley County.

Show all 115 vegetables with planting dates

Plant	Start Indoors	Direct Sow	Transplant	Harvest	Days to Maturity
Acorn Squash	Feb 1	Mar 8	Mar 15	Jun 7 – Jul 12	80–100
Amaranth	Jan 11	Mar 8	Mar 15	Jun 14 – Aug 2	90–120
Artichoke	—	—	Mar 15	Jul 19 – Sep 27	120–180
Arugula	Jan 25	Feb 15	Mar 1	Apr 5 – Jun 7	30–50
Asparagus	—	—	Mar 15	—	730–1095
Beets	—	Feb 15	—	Apr 12 – May 10	50–70
Belgian Endive	Jan 25	Feb 15	Mar 1	Jun 21 – Aug 16	110–150
Bitter Melon	Jan 11	Mar 8	Mar 15	May 17 – Jun 28	60–90
Black Beans	—	Mar 8	—	Jun 7 – Jul 26	90–120
Bok Choy	Jan 25	Feb 15	Mar 1	Apr 12 – May 17	40–60
Broccoli	Jan 25	Feb 15	Mar 1	May 3 – Jun 14	60–90
Broccoli Rabe	Jan 25	Feb 15	Mar 1	Apr 12 – May 17	40–60
Brussels Sprouts	Jan 25	Feb 15	Mar 1	May 31 – Jul 26	90–130
Butternut Squash	Feb 1	Mar 8	Mar 15	Jun 14 – Jul 19	85–110
Cabbage	Jan 25	Feb 15	Mar 1	May 3 – Jun 28	60–100
Calabash	Jan 11	Mar 8	Mar 15	Jun 7 – Aug 2	80–120
Cardoon	—	—	Mar 15	Jul 19 – Aug 30	120–150
Carrots	—	Feb 15	—	Apr 19 – May 24	60–80
Cauliflower	Jan 25	Feb 15	Mar 1	Apr 26 – Jun 28	55–100
Celeriac	Jan 25	Feb 15	Mar 1	Jun 14 – Jul 19	100–120
Celery	Jan 25	Feb 15	Mar 1	May 24 – Jul 19	80–120
Celtuce	Jan 25	Feb 15	Mar 1	May 3 – Jun 14	60–90
Chard	Jan 25	Feb 15	Mar 1	Apr 26 – Jun 14	50–60
Chayote	Jan 11	Mar 8	Mar 15	Jul 19 – Sep 27	120–180
Chickpeas	Jan 25	Feb 15	Mar 1	May 24 – Jul 5	80–110
Chicory	Jan 25	Feb 15	Mar 1	May 3 – Jun 14	60–85
Chinese Cabbage	Jan 25	Feb 15	Mar 1	Apr 26 – May 24	50–70
Christmas Lima Beans	Jan 11	Mar 8	Mar 15	Jun 7 – Jul 12	80–100
Collard Greens	Jan 25	Feb 15	Mar 1	Apr 26 – Jun 28	55–75
Corn	—	Mar 8	—	May 10 – Jul 5	60–100
Cowpeas	—	Mar 8	—	May 10 – Jun 21	60–90
Cress	Jan 25	Feb 15	Mar 1	Mar 15 – Apr 5	14–21
Crookneck Squash	Feb 1	Mar 8	Mar 15	May 3 – May 31	45–60
Crosne	—	Feb 15	—	Jul 19 – Sep 20	150–200
Cucumber	Feb 1	Mar 8	Mar 15	May 10 – Jul 5	50–70
Daikon	—	Feb 15	—	Apr 12 – May 10	50–70
Delicata Squash	Feb 1	Mar 8	Mar 15	Jun 7 – Jul 12	80–100
Edamame	—	Mar 8	—	May 24 – Jul 5	75–100
Eggplant	Dec 28	Mar 8	Mar 15	May 24 – Jul 26	65–85
Endive	Jan 25	Feb 15	Mar 1	Apr 19 – May 24	45–65
Escarole	Jan 25	Feb 15	Mar 1	Apr 26 – May 24	50–70
Fava Beans	Jan 25	Feb 15	Mar 1	May 17 – Jun 28	75–100
Fennel	Jan 11	Mar 8	Mar 15	May 17 – Jun 28	60–90
Garlic	—	—	—	—	90–240
Ginger	Jan 11	Mar 8	Mar 15	Nov 15 – Nov 29	240–300
Green Beans	—	Mar 8	—	May 3 – Jun 28	50–65
Horseradish	—	—	Mar 15	Jul 19 – Sep 27	120–180
Hot Peppers	Dec 28	Mar 8	Mar 15	May 24 – Aug 30	70–120
Hubbard Squash	Feb 1	Mar 8	Mar 15	Jun 28 – Aug 2	100–120
Jicama	Jan 11	Mar 8	Mar 15	Jul 19 – Sep 27	120–180
Kabocha	Feb 1	Mar 8	Mar 15	Jun 14 – Jul 12	85–100
Kai Lan	Jan 25	Feb 15	Mar 1	Apr 19 – May 17	45–60
Kale	Jan 25	Feb 15	Mar 1	Apr 26 – Jun 21	50–70
Kidney Beans	—	Mar 8	—	Jun 7 – Jul 12	85–110
Kohlrabi	Jan 25	Feb 15	Mar 1	Apr 19 – May 24	45–65
Komatsuna	Jan 25	Feb 15	Mar 1	Apr 5 – May 10	35–50
Leeks	Jan 25	Feb 15	Mar 1	May 31 – Aug 16	90–150
Lentils	Jan 25	Feb 15	Mar 1	May 24 – Jul 5	80–110
Lettuce	Jan 25	Feb 15	Mar 1	Apr 5 – Jun 14	30–60
Lima Beans	—	Mar 8	—	May 10 – Jun 21	60–90
Loofah	Jan 11	Mar 8	Mar 15	Jun 28 – Aug 30	100–150
Luffa	Jan 11	Mar 8	Mar 15	Jun 14 – Aug 30	90–150
Mache	Jan 25	Feb 15	Mar 1	Apr 12 – May 17	40–60
Malabar Spinach	Jan 11	Mar 8	Mar 15	May 10 – Jun 7	55–70
Melon	Feb 1	Mar 8	Mar 15	May 24 – Jul 12	70–100
Microgreens	Jan 25	Feb 15	Mar 1	Mar 8 – Apr 5	7–21
Mitsuba	Jan 25	Feb 15	Feb 22	Apr 19 – Jun 14	50–70
Mizuna	Jan 25	Feb 15	Mar 1	Apr 5 – May 3	30–45
Mustard Greens	Jan 25	Feb 15	Mar 1	Apr 5 – Jun 7	30–50
Napa Cabbage	Jan 25	Feb 15	Mar 1	Apr 26 – May 31	55–75
New Zealand Spinach	Jan 11	Mar 8	Mar 15	May 10 – Jun 7	55–70
Okra	Jan 11	Mar 8	Mar 15	May 10 – Jul 5	50–65
Onion	Jan 25	Feb 15	Mar 1	May 31 – Jul 19	90–120
Pac Choi	Jan 25	Feb 15	Mar 1	Apr 12 – May 10	40–55
Parsnip	—	Feb 15	—	May 31 – Jul 12	100–130
Patty Pan Squash	Feb 1	Mar 8	Mar 15	May 3 – May 31	45–60
Peas	Jan 25	Feb 15	Mar 1	Apr 26 – Jun 21	55–70
Peppers	Dec 28	Mar 8	Mar 15	May 17 – Jul 26	60–90
Pole Beans	Jan 11	Mar 8	Mar 15	May 10 – Jul 5	55–70
Potatoes	Jan 11	Mar 8	Mar 15	May 24 – Aug 2	70–120
Pumpkin	Feb 1	Mar 8	Mar 15	Jun 14 – Aug 2	85–120
Purslane	Jan 25	Feb 15	Mar 1	Apr 12 – May 17	40–60
Radicchio	Jan 25	Feb 15	Mar 1	May 3 – Jun 7	60–80
Radish	—	Feb 15	—	Mar 15 – Apr 5	22–35
Rhubarb	—	—	Mar 22	—	365–730
Romanesco	Jan 25	Feb 15	Mar 1	May 17 – Jun 28	75–100
Rutabaga	—	Feb 15	—	May 10 – Jun 14	80–100
Salsify	—	Feb 15	—	May 31 – Jul 12	100–130
Savoy Cabbage	Jan 25	Feb 15	Mar 1	May 10 – Jul 5	70–110
Scallions	Jan 25	Feb 15	Mar 1	Apr 26 – May 24	50–70
Scarlet Runner Beans	Jan 11	Mar 8	Mar 15	May 17 – Jun 21	60–80
Shallot	Jan 25	Feb 15	Mar 1	May 31 – Jul 19	90–120
Shiso	Jan 11	Mar 8	Mar 15	May 10 – Jul 5	50–70
Snap Peas	Jan 11	Mar 8	Mar 15	May 10 – Jul 5	55–70
Snow Peas	Jan 25	Feb 15	Mar 1	Apr 26 – Jun 21	50–65
Soybeans	—	Mar 8	—	May 31 – Jul 26	80–120
Spaghetti Squash	Feb 1	Mar 8	Mar 15	Jun 14 – Jul 12	85–100
Spinach	Jan 25	Feb 15	Mar 1	Apr 5 – Jun 7	35–50
Squash (Summer)	Feb 1	Mar 8	Mar 15	May 3 – Jul 5	45–65
Squash (Winter)	Feb 1	Mar 8	Mar 15	Jun 7 – Aug 2	80–120
Sunchoke	—	—	Mar 15	Jul 5 – Aug 30	110–150
Sunflower	Jan 11	Mar 8	Mar 15	May 24 – Jul 12	70–100
Sweet Corn	—	Mar 8	—	May 10 – Jun 21	60–90
Sweet Potatoes	Jan 11	Mar 8	Mar 15	Jun 14 – Aug 2	90–120
Tatsoi	Jan 25	Feb 15	Mar 1	Apr 5 – May 10	35–50
Tomatillo	Jan 11	Mar 8	Mar 15	May 17 – Jul 26	60–85
Tomatoes	Jan 11	Mar 8	Mar 15	May 17 – Jul 26	60–85
Turmeric	Jan 11	Mar 8	Mar 15	Nov 15 – Nov 29	240–300
Turnip	—	Feb 15	—	Mar 29 – May 3	40–60
Watercress	Jan 25	Feb 15	Mar 1	Apr 12 – May 17	40–60
Watermelon	Feb 1	Mar 8	Mar 15	May 24 – Jul 12	70–100
Wax Beans	—	Mar 8	—	May 3 – Jun 28	50–65
Winter Melon	Jan 11	Mar 8	Mar 15	Jun 14 – Aug 2	90–120
Yard Long Beans	Jan 11	Mar 8	Mar 15	May 10 – Jun 21	55–80
Zucchini	Feb 1	Mar 8	Mar 15	May 3 – Jun 28	45–60

🍓 Fruits to Grow in Berkeley County

27 fruits that grow well in Zone 8b with planting dates for Berkeley County.

Show all 27 fruits with planting dates

Plant	Start Indoors	Direct Sow	Transplant	Harvest	Days to Maturity
Alpine Strawberries	—	—	Mar 22	Jun 21 – Oct 4	90–180
Aronia	—	—	Mar 22	—	730–1095
Blackberries	—	—	Mar 22	—	365–730
Blueberries	—	—	Mar 22	—	730–1095
Boysenberries	—	—	Mar 22	—	365–730
Cantaloupe	—	—	Mar 22	May 31 – Jul 5	70–90
Che Fruit	—	—	Mar 22	—	1095–1825
Elderberries	—	—	Mar 22	—	730–1095
Figs	—	—	Mar 22	—	730–1825
Goji Berries	—	—	Mar 22	—	730–1095
Gooseberries	—	—	Mar 22	—	730–1095
Grapes	—	—	Mar 22	—	730–1095
Ground Cherry	—	—	Mar 22	May 31 – Jul 26	65–80
Hardy Kiwi	—	—	Mar 22	—	1095–1825
Honeydew	—	—	Mar 22	Jun 14 – Jul 26	80–110
Jostaberry	—	—	Mar 22	—	730–1095
Kiwi	—	—	Mar 22	—	1095–1825
Loquat	—	—	Mar 22	—	730–1825
Medlar	—	—	Mar 22	—	1095–1825
Mulberries	—	—	Mar 22	—	730–1825
Pawpaw	—	—	Mar 22	—	1095–2555
Persimmon	—	—	Mar 22	—	1095–2555
Pomegranate	—	—	Mar 22	—	730–1095
Quince	—	—	Mar 22	—	1095–1825
Raspberries	—	—	Mar 22	—	365–730
Serviceberries	—	—	Mar 22	—	730–1095
Strawberries	—	—	Mar 22	Jun 21 – Dec 6	90–365

🌿 Herbs to Grow in Berkeley County

42 herbs that grow well in Zone 8b with planting dates for Berkeley County.

Show all 42 herbs with planting dates

Plant	Start Indoors	Direct Sow	Transplant	Harvest	Days to Maturity
Angelica	Jan 25	Feb 15	Feb 22	—	365–730
Anise	Jan 25	Feb 15	Feb 22	May 24 – Aug 9	90–120
Basil	Jan 11	Mar 8	Mar 15	May 10 – Jul 12	50–75
Bee Balm	—	—	Mar 8	Jun 7 – Aug 23	90–120
Borage	Jan 25	Feb 15	Feb 22	Apr 19 – Jun 7	50–60
Caraway	Jan 25	Feb 15	Feb 22	—	365–450
Catnip	—	—	Mar 8	May 10 – Jul 12	60–80
Chamomile	Jan 25	Feb 15	Feb 22	Apr 26 – Jul 5	60–90
Chervil	Jan 25	Feb 15	Feb 22	Apr 5 – Jun 7	40–60
Chives	—	—	Mar 8	May 10 – Jul 19	60–90
Cilantro	Jan 25	Feb 15	Feb 22	Apr 5 – Jun 7	40–60
Comfrey	—	—	Mar 8	May 10 – Jul 19	60–90
Cumin	Jan 25	Feb 15	Feb 22	Jun 7 – Aug 9	100–120
Dill	Jan 25	Feb 15	Feb 22	Apr 5 – Jun 7	40–60
Echinacea	—	—	Mar 8	Jul 12 – Oct 18	120–180
Epazote	Jan 11	Mar 8	Mar 15	May 3 – Jun 28	45–60
Fennel (herb)	Jan 25	Feb 15	Feb 22	Apr 26 – Jul 5	60–90
Feverfew	—	—	Mar 8	Jun 7 – Aug 23	90–120
Garlic Chives	—	—	Mar 8	May 10 – Jul 19	60–90
Horehound	—	—	Mar 8	May 24 – Jul 19	75–90
Hyssop	—	—	Mar 8	May 17 – Jul 19	70–90
Lavender	—	—	Mar 8	Jun 7 – Nov 8	90–200
Lemon Balm	—	—	Mar 8	May 10 – Jun 28	60–70
Lemon Thyme	—	—	Mar 8	May 17 – Jul 19	70–90
Lemon Verbena	Jan 11	Mar 8	Mar 15	May 17 – Jul 26	60–90
Lemongrass	Jan 11	Mar 8	Mar 15	May 31 – Aug 30	75–120
Lovage	—	—	Mar 8	May 17 – Jul 19	70–90
Marjoram	—	—	Mar 8	May 10 – Jul 19	60–90
Mint	—	—	Mar 8	May 10 – Jul 19	60–90
Oregano	—	—	Mar 8	May 10 – Jul 19	60–90
Parsley	Jan 25	Feb 15	Feb 22	Apr 26 – Jun 28	60–80
Rosemary	—	—	Mar 8	May 31 – Oct 18	80–180
Rue	—	—	Mar 8	May 17 – Jul 19	70–90
Sage	—	—	Mar 8	May 24 – Jul 19	75–90
Savory	—	—	Mar 8	May 3 – Jun 28	50–70
Sorrel	Jan 25	Feb 15	Feb 22	Apr 5 – Jun 7	40–60
Stevia	Jan 11	Mar 8	Mar 15	May 17 – Jul 26	60–90
Tarragon	—	—	Mar 8	May 10 – Jul 19	60–90
Thai Basil	Jan 11	Mar 8	Mar 15	May 10 – Jul 12	50–75
Thyme	—	—	Mar 8	May 17 – Jul 19	70–90
Valerian	—	—	Mar 8	Jul 12 – Oct 18	120–180
Yarrow	—	—	Mar 8	Jun 7 – Aug 23	90–120

Monthly Planting Guide for Berkeley County

Gardening Guides & Resources

Helpful guides from The Ultimate Homestead to improve your garden in Berkeley County.

Shade Garden Ideas

Not every garden gets full sun all day. And honestly, that’s not a bad thing. If you’ve got a shady...

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How to Start Gardening for Beginners

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Best Companion Plants for Cucumbers

Growing cucumbers successfully isn’t just about watering and fertilizing – it’s also about choosing the right neighbors for your cucumber...

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Pepper Companion Plants

Companion planting is a time-tested gardening practice that pairs plants together to benefit each other’s growth. If you're growing peppers...

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Companion Plants for Tomatoes

Tomatoes are one of the most popular garden crops, but they’re also a magnet for pests and diseases. Companion planting...

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Zucchini Companion Planting

Zucchini is a strong grower. It spreads fast, produces heavily, and takes over any space it’s given. But it doesn’t...

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Frequently Asked Questions

What planting zone is Berkeley County, SC?

Berkeley County is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8b. This zone classification determines which perennial plants survive winter and sets the baseline for frost timing across the county.

When is the last frost in Berkeley County, SC?

Based on 30 years of NOAA weather station data, the median last spring frost in Berkeley County falls around March 1. Plan transplants and direct-sow dates relative to this date.

When is the first fall frost in Berkeley County, SC?

The median first fall frost in Berkeley County arrives around November 23. Harvest or protect frost-sensitive crops — tomatoes, peppers, basil, squash — before this date.

🌱

Your Berkeley County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Berkeley County (Zone 8b). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.

Best Seller

The Gardener's Encyclopedia to Companion Planting

$27 $293 value

The pairings that make vegetables, herbs, and flowers grow better — and the ones that quietly wreck a bed.

Proven pairings for 200+ vegetables, herbs, flowers, and fruits
Full seed-starting + planting schedule with timing and spacing
Bonus: square-foot gardening guide + printable seasonal planners

See what's inside →

Reader favourite

Seed Saving & Storage Guide

$27 $157 value

Most saved seeds go bad before next season. This shows exactly when to pick, how to dry, and where to store seeds from 200 plants so yours don't.

200 plants, step-by-step: life cycle, pollination type, isolation
Exact temperature + humidity ranges that keep seeds viable
Bonus: searchable Google Sheets tracker + custom GPT assistant

Save a lifetime of seed money →

Composting Guide for Homesteaders

$27 $210 value

Turn kitchen scraps and yard waste into compost that actually feeds the garden — instead of a pile that smells, attracts pests, and never breaks down.

14 sections on composting methods, soil science, and troubleshooting
The 7-step hot-compost system from start to finish
Bonus tools: troubleshooting chart, safety guide, monitoring log

Start composting today →