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When to Plant Amaranth in Berkeley County, SC

Berkeley County, South Carolina Zone 8b May

What to do in May

If you only do a handful of things in the garden this May, make it these. They're sequenced around your zone's frost timing.

Avg. last frost February 29
Avg. first frost November 23
Soil temp (4") 72°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure High
Daylight 13.7 hrs

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Amaranth is an ancient grain crop with edible leaves and seeds, rich in protein and micronutrients. It thrives in warm conditions and is drought-tolerant once established.

Berkeley County, South Carolina 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 feet, Berkeley County receives approximately 52.8 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sandy loam soil. Summer highs average 93°F, providing good warmth for Amaranth during the growing season. Sandy soil warms quickly in spring — great for early planting — but Amaranth will need more frequent watering and organic matter to retain nutrients. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Amaranth root diseases.

Berkeley County, SC (Zone 8b) 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

Amaranth Planting Timeline — Berkeley County, SC

Amaranth Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors January 11 Jan 11 – Jan 25
Transplant Outdoors March 15 Mar 15 – Mar 29
Direct Sow March 8 Mar 8 – Mar 29
Harvest June 14 Jun 14 – Aug 2

Plant 1" deep · 15" apart · Rows 24" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January Start Indoors
February
March Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
April
May
June Harvest
July Harvest
August Harvest
September
October
November
December

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

Moderate — regular watering

📅 Days to Maturity

90–120 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7.5 · Your soil: N/A

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 8b

📆 Growing Season

267 days in Berkeley County

Growing Tips for Berkeley County

Direct sow after last frost when soil is warm. Thin seedlings to 18 inches apart. Harvest leaves when young and tender; harvest seeds when flower heads begin to dry.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Avoid Planting Near

  • Fennel

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Amaranth in Berkeley County, SC?

Berkeley County is in Zone 8b with an average last frost of March 1. Plan your Amaranth planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Berkeley County, SC?

Berkeley County, South Carolina is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 1 and first fall frost is November 23.

🌱

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.

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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 Berkeley County, SC. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: May 2026.

Sources & credits

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