When to Plant Garlic in South Carolina
In South Carolina, the time to plant garlic in fall runs from Oct 24 – Nov 21 in Gaffney to Dec 30 – Jan 27 in Charleston. In Charleston, it's Dec 30 – Jan 27. The average first fall frost differs by about 10 weeks across the state (Oct 24 in Gaffney, Dec 30 in Charleston), so use the dates for the town nearest you.
Garlic is planted in fall, around the first frost, and harvested the next summer. Cloves need a cold winter to form good bulbs.
- Plant: from the first fall frost up to 4 weeks after it.
Garlic planting dates in South Carolina by city
| City | Zone | Fall planting |
|---|---|---|
| Aiken | 8b | Nov 14 – Dec 12 |
| Anderson | 8a | Nov 11 – Dec 9 |
| Beaufort | 9a | Dec 3 – Dec 31 |
| Bluffton | 9a | Nov 30 – Dec 28 |
| Cayce | 8b | Nov 19 – Dec 17 |
| Charleston | 9a | Dec 30 – Jan 27 |
| Clemson | 8a | Nov 3 – Dec 1 |
| Columbia | 8b | Nov 15 – Dec 13 |
| Conway | 8b | Nov 22 – Dec 20 |
| Easley | 8a | Nov 3 – Dec 1 |
| Florence | 8b | Nov 13 – Dec 11 |
| Fort Mill | 8a | Nov 4 – Dec 2 |
| Fountain Inn | 8a | Nov 5 – Dec 3 |
| Gaffney | 8a | Oct 24 – Nov 21 |
| Goose Creek | 8b | Nov 27 – Dec 25 |
| Greenville | 8a | Nov 7 – Dec 5 |
| Greenwood | 8a | Nov 12 – Dec 10 |
| Greer | 8a | Nov 7 – Dec 5 |
| Hanahan | 9a | Nov 27 – Dec 25 |
| Hardeeville | 9a | Nov 30 – Dec 28 |
| Hilton Head Island | 9b | Dec 9 – Jan 6 |
| Irmo | 8b | Oct 28 – Nov 25 |
| James Island | 9a | Dec 30 – Jan 27 |
| Lexington | 8b | Nov 7 – Dec 5 |
| Mauldin | 8a | Nov 7 – Dec 5 |
| Moncks Corner | 8b | Nov 26 – Dec 24 |
| Mount Pleasant | 9a | Nov 30 – Dec 28 |
| Myrtle Beach | 8b | Nov 13 – Dec 11 |
| North Augusta | 8b | Dec 4 – Jan 1 |
| North Charleston | 9a | Nov 27 – Dec 25 |
| North Myrtle Beach | 8b | Nov 20 – Dec 18 |
| Orangeburg | 8b | Nov 15 – Dec 13 |
| Port Royal | 9a | Dec 9 – Jan 6 |
| Rock Hill | 8a | Nov 5 – Dec 3 |
| Simpsonville | 8a | Nov 5 – Dec 3 |
| Spartanburg | 8a | Nov 1 – Nov 29 |
| Summerville | 8b | Nov 12 – Dec 10 |
| Sumter | 8b | Nov 7 – Dec 5 |
| Tega Cay | 8a | Nov 4 – Dec 2 |
| West Columbia | 8b | Nov 7 – Dec 5 |
Calculated from each town's average (50%) frost dates, from the nearest NOAA station (1991–2020). Typical dates for the 2027 planting season, based on NOAA's 1991–2020 averages. They are long-term odds, not a forecast: always check your local forecast before planting. Zones: 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (USDA-ARS and Oregon State University). Not the official map; see planthardiness.ars.usda.gov.
See all frost dates in South Carolina, or the general guide to when to plant garlic.
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