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When to Plant Strawberries in Beaufort County, SC

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.

Beaufort County, South Carolina is in USDA Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 13 and the first fall frost is November 15, giving you a growing season of approximately 247 days.

At an elevation of 288 feet, Beaufort County receives approximately 56.5 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sandy loam soil. Summer highs average 95ยฐF, so Strawberries may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. Sandy soil warms quickly in spring โ€” great for early planting โ€” 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.

Beaufort County, SC (Zone 8b) Long season
247 days
Last Spring Frost March 13
247 growing days
First Fall Frost November 15

Beaufort County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sandy Loam

Soil pH

4.9-6.1

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Mar 25 🍅 Harvest: Jun 24 – Dec 9
Recommended (50%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Apr 3 🍅 Harvest: Jul 3 – Dec 18
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (325 days to spare)
Transplant: Apr 30 🍅 Harvest: Jul 30 – Jan 14

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
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
1.0″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 6/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Strawberries needs ~4,834 GDD — county provides 5,248 GDD Good fit

Strawberries Planting Timeline โ€” Beaufort County, SC

Strawberries Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors April 3 Apr 3 โ€“ Apr 17
Harvest July 3 Jul 3 โ€“ Dec 18

ยท 12" apart ยท Rows 24" 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 Harvest

Growing Conditions

Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

Water

Moderate โ€” regular watering

Days to Maturity

90โ€“365 days

Soil pH

5.5 โ€“ 6.8

USDA Zone

Zone 8b

Growing Season

247 days

Growing Tips for Beaufort County

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.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Avoid Planting Near

  • Cabbage
  • Broccoli

Level Up Your Garden

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Strawberries in Beaufort County, SC?

Beaufort County is in Zone 8b with an average last frost of March 13. Plan your Strawberries planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Beaufort County, SC?

Beaufort County, South Carolina is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 13 and first fall frost is November 15.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Beaufort County gardeners in Zone 8b 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 Beaufort County, SC. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.