Blog

When to Plant Sweet Corn 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

Instant PDF download. No spam, unsubscribe any time.

Sweet corn is bred for high sugar content in its kernels, which convert to starch rapidly after harvest. Modern supersweet varieties hold their sweetness longer.

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 Sweet Corn during the growing season. Sandy soil warms quickly in spring — great for early planting — but Sweet Corn will need more frequent watering and organic matter to retain nutrients. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Sweet Corn root diseases.

Berkeley County, SC (Zone 8b) Long season
267 days
Last Spring Frost March 1
267 growing days
First Fall Frost November 23
Share this guide:

Berkeley County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sandy Loam

Soil pH

6.0-7.0

Drainage

Well Drained

Sweet Corn Planting Timeline — Berkeley County, SC

Sweet Corn Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Direct Sow March 8 Mar 8 – Mar 29
Harvest May 10 May 10 – Jun 21

Plant 1" deep · 12" apart · Rows 36" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February
March Direct Sow
April
May Harvest
June Harvest
July
August
September
October
November
December
Share this guide:

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

Moderate — regular watering

📅 Days to Maturity

60–90 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7 · Your soil: N/A

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 8b

📆 Growing Season

267 days in Berkeley County

Growing Tips for Berkeley County

Plant in blocks of at least 4 rows for wind pollination. Direct sow after soil is warm. Isolate supersweet varieties from other corn types to prevent cross-pollination.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Avoid Planting Near

  • Tomatoes

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Sweet Corn in Berkeley County, SC?

Berkeley County is in Zone 8b with an average last frost of March 1. Plan your Sweet Corn 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.

Instant PDF download. No spam, unsubscribe any time.

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

Every number on this page traces back to a primary horticulture or government data source. Click through to verify.