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When to Plant Strawberries in Georgetown County, SC

Georgetown County, South Carolina Zone 8b May

May in the garden — Georgetown County, South Carolina

May rewards gardeners who work with the weather, not against it. Here's how to stay in step this month in Georgetown County, South Carolina.

Avg. last frost March 19
Avg. first frost November 15
Soil temp (4") 71°F
Watering Moderate
Pest pressure High
Daylight 13.7 hrs

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Strawberries are a beloved perennial fruit available as June-bearing, ever-bearing, and day-neutral types. They are one of the easiest fruits to grow in containers or garden beds.

Georgetown County, South Carolina is in USDA Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 19 and the first fall frost is November 15, giving you a growing season of approximately 241 days.

At an elevation of 102 feet, Georgetown County receives approximately 52.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sandy loam soil. Summer highs average 94°F, providing good warmth for Strawberries during the growing season. Sandy soil warms quickly in spring — great for early planting — but Strawberries will need more frequent watering and organic matter to retain nutrients. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Strawberries root diseases.

Georgetown County, SC (Zone 8b) Long season
241 days
Last Spring Frost March 19
241 growing days
First Fall Frost November 15

Georgetown County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sandy Loam

Soil pH

4.8-6.2

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Mar 28 🍅 Harvest: Jun 27 – Dec 12
Recommended (50%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Apr 9 🍅 Harvest: Jul 9 – Dec 24
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (321 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 28 🍅 Harvest: Jul 28 – Jan 12

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.

Soil Compatibility in Georgetown County

How your county's soil matches Strawberries's growing requirements.

Soil pH

Your soil pH (4.8–6.2) overlaps with Strawberries's range (5.5–6.8), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

Sandy soil in Georgetown County warms quickly in spring but drains fast. Strawberries will need more frequent watering and regular compost additions to retain nutrients.

Drainage

Drainage is adequate for Strawberries.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.1%). Annual compost additions will help Strawberries.

How to Plant Strawberries

12"
Between Plants
24"
Between Rows

How Much Strawberries to Grow

1 lb
Average yield per plant
10
Plants per person
20 sq ft
Space per person

For a family of 4, plant approximately 40 strawberries plants in about 80 sq ft. In Georgetown County's 241-day season, you'll have plenty of time for a full harvest. Plan your garden layout →

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
0.9″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft

Monthly Watering Guide for Strawberries

Strawberries needs approximately 1 inches of water per week (4.3" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.

Month Strawberries Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan 3.9" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 4.4" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 4.3" 5.7" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Apr 4.3" 4.3" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
May 4.3" 3.7" 0.6" 💧 Light watering
Jun 4.3" 5.2" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Jul 4.3" 4.7" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 4.3" 4.7" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 4.3" 3.8" 0.5" 💧 Light watering
Oct 4.3" 3.4" 0.9" 💧 Light watering
Nov 4.3" 4" 0.3" 💧 Light watering
Dec 4.3" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Mar–Nov in Georgetown County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall — actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.

Strawberries Heat Requirements (GDD)

What are Growing Degree Days (GDD)?

Growing Degree Days measure the total warmth your plants receive during the growing season. Think of it as a "heat bank" — every day above 50°F deposits warmth that helps your plants grow.

Each plant needs a certain amount of accumulated heat to mature. If your county provides more GDD than the plant needs, it's a great fit. If it's close, you may want to choose faster-maturing varieties or start seeds indoors to get a head start.

Strawberries needs ~4,664 GDD — county provides 4,940 GDD Good fit

Strawberries Planting Timeline — Georgetown County, SC

Strawberries Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors April 9 Apr 9 – Apr 23
Harvest July 9 Jul 9 – Dec 24

· 12" apart · Rows 24" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

1"/week · Natural rainfall sufficient

📅 Days to Maturity

90–365 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 5.5–6.8 · Your soil: acceptable

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 8b

📆 Growing Season

241 days in Georgetown County

Growing Tips for Strawberries in Georgetown County

Direct sow Strawberries outdoors after March 19 in Georgetown County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

Sandy soil in Georgetown County dries quickly — mulch Strawberries with 2-3 inches of straw and water deeply 2-3 times per week rather than lightly every day.

Your 241.0-day growing season in Georgetown County is tight for Strawberries (90.0-365.0 days to maturity). Start indoors and choose early-maturing varieties.

General growing tips

Plant with crowns at soil level. Remove runners the first year to strengthen plants. Mulch with straw to keep fruit clean and suppress weeds. Renovate June-bearing beds after harvest.

Recommended Strawberries Varieties for Georgetown County

Everbearing varieties that produce through your long season

Seascape Albion San Andreas

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Avoid Planting Near

  • Cabbage
  • Broccoli

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Strawberries in Georgetown County, SC?

Georgetown County is in Zone 8b with an average last frost of March 19. Plan your Strawberries planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Georgetown County, SC?

Georgetown County, South Carolina is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 19 and first fall frost is November 15.

🌱

Your Georgetown County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Georgetown 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 Georgetown 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.