Planting calendar for Columbia, South Carolina

Dates from 30 years of records at the Columbia Univ Of Sc weather station, 0.9 miles from Columbia, worked out crop by crop with the same method as the Year Round Garden app.

Columbia at a glance

Weather station: Columbia Univ Of Sc · 0.9 mi
USDA zone: 8b
Last spring frost: typically Mar 16; 1 year in 10 after Apr 3
First fall frost: typically Nov 16; 1 year in 10 before Nov 2
Frost-free season: about 245 days
Hottest month: July: highs 96°F, nights 72°F
Coldest month: January: highs 60°F, nights 37°F
Rain: 48 in. a year, most in June, July and August

What shapes the seasons here

The last spring frost in Columbia typically comes around Mar 16, but 1 year in 10 it comes after Apr 3. The first fall frost typically arrives around Nov 16. That leaves about 245 frost-free days for tender crops like tomatoes, peppers and squash.

Summer highs average 96°F in July. Lettuce, spinach and cilantro bolt in heat like this, so they're best planted Jan 20–Feb 20, Oct 2–Dec 16.

Columbia gets about 48 inches of rain a year, most of it in June, July and August. Crops that rot or get disease in hot, wet weather are timed to miss those months.

160 of the 174 crops in the app grow here; 14 need a different climate (listed near the bottom).

When to plant the most popular crops

JFMAMJJASOND

Tomato (slicing)

Tomato (cherry & grape)

Pepper (sweet / bell)

Pepper (hot / chili)

Eggplant

Cucumber (slicing)

Summer squash & zucchini

Watermelon

Bean (bush snap)

Sweet corn

Okra

Sweet potato

Potato

Pea (snap & snow)

Lettuce (leaf & mesclun)

Spinach

Kale

Collard greens

Broccoli

Cabbage

Carrot

Radish

Onion (bulbing)

Garlic

Basil

Cilantro

Strawberry

Best Can plant Start indoors

Get these dates as reminders for your exact yard

The free Year Round Garden app uses the weather station nearest your own address, not just the city. It reminds you when to start seeds, plant and harvest, sends frost and storm alerts from the National Weather Service, and keeps a garden journal. No account needed, in English and Spanish.

Download on the App Store Free for up to 5 plants on iPhone and Android.

What to plant in Columbia, month by month

January31

Best time to plant

Vegetables: Arugula, Beet, Broccoli, Broccoli raab (rapini), Carrot, Chinese broccoli (gai lan), Collard greens, Daikon radish, Kale, Kohlrabi, Komatsuna (mustard spinach), Lettuce (leaf & mesclun), Lettuce (romaine & head), Mache (corn salad), Mustard greens, Onion (bulbing), Pea (shelling / English), Pea (snap & snow), Radish, Shallot, Spinach, Swiss chard, Turnip

Herbs: Chamomile, Chervil, Cilantro, Parsley

Flowers: Calendula, Pansy / viola, Stock, Sweet alyssum

Can also plant

Brussels sprouts, Cabbage, Cardoon, Fava bean, Leek, Napa / Chinese cabbage, Parsnip, Rutabaga, Salsify, Caraway, Blueberry, Bachelor's button (cornflower), California poppy, Coreopsis (tickseed), Larkspur, Snapdragon, Sweet pea (flower)

Start seeds indoors

Cauliflower, Catnip, Feverfew, Lavender, Rosemary, Sage, Thyme, Purple coneflower (echinacea), Statice

February29

Best time to plant

Vegetables: Arugula, Asparagus, Beet, Broccoli raab (rapini), Chinese broccoli (gai lan), Green onion / scallion, Kohlrabi, Komatsuna (mustard spinach), Lettuce (leaf & mesclun), Mustard greens, Napa / Chinese cabbage, Pea (shelling / English), Pea (snap & snow), Potato, Radish, Rhubarb, Swiss chard, Turnip

Herbs: Chamomile, Chervil, Cilantro

Fruit: Blackberry, Blueberry, Grape (bunch), Raspberry, Strawberry

Flowers: Calendula, Stock, Sweet alyssum

Can also plant

Broccoli, Cabbage, Carrot, Celeriac (celery root), Collard greens, Daikon radish, Kale, Leek, Lettuce (romaine & head), Mache (corn salad), Onion (bulbing), Parsnip, Shallot, Spinach, Caraway, Parsley, Bachelor's button (cornflower), California poppy, Coreopsis (tickseed), Pansy / viola, Sweet pea (flower)

Start seeds indoors

Eggplant, Pepper (hot / chili), Pepper (sweet / bell), Tomatillo, Tomato (cherry & grape), Tomato (early / short-season), Tomato (heat-set varieties), Tomato (paste / determinate), Tomato (slicing), Anise hyssop, Bee balm (bergamot), Chives, Garlic chives, Lemon balm, Marjoram, Oregano, Sage, Shiso (perilla), Thyme, Winter savory, Cucamelon / mouse melon, Ground cherry, Annual salvia, Milkweed (native), Strawflower

March64

Best time to plant

Vegetables: Armenian cucumber, Asparagus, Bean (bush snap), Bean (dry / shelling), Bean (pole), Bitter melon, Bok choy / pak choi, Cauliflower, Celery, Cucumber (pickling), Cucumber (slicing), Garden cress, Green onion / scallion, New Zealand spinach, Popcorn, Radish, Summer squash & zucchini, Sunchoke (Jerusalem artichoke), Sweet corn, Tomatillo, Tomato (cherry & grape), Tomato (early / short-season), Tomato (paste / determinate), Tomato (slicing), Watercress, Winter squash

Herbs: Anise hyssop, Bay laurel, Bee balm (bergamot), Borage, Catnip, Chives, Dill, Epazote, Fenugreek (methi), Feverfew, Garlic chives, Lavender, Lemon balm, Marjoram, Mint, Oregano, Rosemary, Sage, Shiso (perilla), Sorrel (French / garden), Summer savory, Tarragon (French), Thyme, Winter savory

Fruit: Blackberry, Blueberry, Cucamelon / mouse melon, Fig, Grape (bunch), Ground cherry, Muscadine grape, Strawberry

Flowers: Black-eyed Susan, Milkweed (native), Nasturtium, Purple coneflower (echinacea), Statice, Strawflower

Can also plant

Arugula, Beet, Broccoli raab (rapini), Cabbage, Carrot, Chinese broccoli (gai lan), Collard greens, Kale, Kohlrabi, Komatsuna (mustard spinach), Lettuce (leaf & mesclun), Lettuce (romaine & head), Mustard greens, Napa / Chinese cabbage, Onion (bulbing), Pea (shelling / English), Pea (snap & snow), Potato, Shallot, Spinach, Swiss chard, Turnip, Chamomile, Chervil, Cilantro, Parsley, Calendula, Pansy / viola, Stock, Sweet alyssum

Start seeds indoors

Malabar spinach, Tomato (heat-set varieties), Basil, Celosia, Marigold, Milkweed (native)

April26

Best time to plant

Vegetables: Amaranth greens / callaloo, Bean (lima), Edamame, Eggplant, Pepper (hot / chili), Pepper (sweet / bell), Purslane, Tomato (heat-set varieties), Winter melon / wax gourd

Herbs: Basil, Bay laurel, Garlic chives, Lavender, Lemon verbena, Marjoram, Oregano, Papalo, Rosemary, Thyme, Vietnamese coriander (rau ram)

Fruit: Cantaloupe & melons, Watermelon

Flowers: Annual salvia, Marigold, Milkweed (native), Purple coneflower (echinacea)

Can also plant

Armenian cucumber, Bean (bush snap), Bean (pole), Bitter melon, Cucumber (pickling), Cucumber (slicing), Garden cress, Green onion / scallion, New Zealand spinach, Popcorn, Radish, Summer squash & zucchini, Sweet corn, Swiss chard, Tomatillo, Tomato (cherry & grape), Tomato (early / short-season), Tomato (paste / determinate), Anise hyssop, Borage, Catnip, Cuban oregano, Epazote, Fenugreek (methi), Lemon balm, Mint, Shiso (perilla), Stevia, Summer savory, Winter savory, Blackberry, Cucamelon / mouse melon, Fig, Ground cherry, Black-eyed Susan, Cleome (spider flower), Cosmos, Globe amaranth (gomphrena), Sunflower, Zinnia

Start seeds indoors

Ginger, Sweet potato, Annual salvia, Globe amaranth (gomphrena), Pentas (Egyptian star cluster)

May19

Best time to plant

Vegetables: Bottle gourd / cucuzza, Luffa gourd, Malabar spinach, Moringa, Okinawa spinach, Okra, Peanut, Pigeon pea, Roselle, Seminole pumpkin / calabaza, Southern pea / cowpea, Winged bean, Yardlong bean

Herbs: Cuban oregano, Culantro, Stevia, Vietnamese coriander (rau ram)

Flowers: Annual salvia, Celosia

Can also plant

Amaranth greens / callaloo, Armenian cucumber, Eggplant, Ginger, New Zealand spinach, Pepper (hot / chili), Popcorn, Purslane, Sweet corn, Sweet potato, Tomato (heat-set varieties), Winter melon / wax gourd, Basil, Bay laurel, Epazote, Garlic chives, Lemon verbena, Lemongrass, Oregano, Papalo, Rosemary, Shiso (perilla), Cantaloupe & melons, Cucamelon / mouse melon, Watermelon, Black-eyed Susan, Cleome (spider flower), Cosmos, Globe amaranth (gomphrena), Marigold, Milkweed (native), Pentas (Egyptian star cluster), Purple coneflower (echinacea), Sunflower, Zinnia

Start seeds indoors

Eggplant, Ginger, Pepper (hot / chili), Pepper (sweet / bell), Sweet potato, Annual salvia, Celosia, Globe amaranth (gomphrena), Marigold, Pentas (Egyptian star cluster)

June13

Best time to plant

Vegetables: Ginger, Pumpkin, Seminole pumpkin / calabaza, Sweet potato, Winter melon / wax gourd

Herbs: Lemongrass

Flowers: Black-eyed Susan, Cleome (spider flower), Cosmos, Globe amaranth (gomphrena), Pentas (Egyptian star cluster), Sunflower, Zinnia

Can also plant

Amaranth greens / callaloo, Armenian cucumber, Bean (lima), Bottle gourd / cucuzza, Celeriac (celery root), Edamame, Eggplant, Luffa gourd, Malabar spinach, Moringa, New Zealand spinach, Okinawa spinach, Okra, Onion (bulbing), Peanut, Pepper (hot / chili), Pepper (sweet / bell), Popcorn, Purslane, Southern pea / cowpea, Sweet corn, Tomato (cherry & grape), Tomato (heat-set varieties), Winged bean, Winter squash, Yardlong bean, Basil, Culantro, Epazote, Papalo, Shiso (perilla), Cantaloupe & melons, Cucamelon / mouse melon, Watermelon, Annual salvia, Celosia, Marigold

Start seeds indoors

Celeriac (celery root), Pepper (sweet / bell), Tomato (cherry & grape), Tomato (early / short-season), Tomato (heat-set varieties), Tomato (paste / determinate), Tomato (slicing), Annual salvia, Celosia, Globe amaranth (gomphrena), Marigold, Pentas (Egyptian star cluster), Statice

July25

Best time to plant

Vegetables: Bean (dry / shelling), Bean (lima), Edamame, Eggplant, Pepper (hot / chili), Pepper (sweet / bell), Southern pea / cowpea, Sweet corn, Tomato (heat-set varieties), Tomato (paste / determinate), Tomato (slicing), Winter squash, Yardlong bean

Fruit: Cantaloupe & melons, Watermelon

Flowers: Annual salvia, Black-eyed Susan, Celosia, Cleome (spider flower), Cosmos, Globe amaranth (gomphrena), Marigold, Pentas (Egyptian star cluster), Sunflower, Zinnia

Can also plant

Amaranth greens / callaloo, Armenian cucumber, Bean (bush snap), Bean (pole), Bitter melon, Bottle gourd / cucuzza, Cucumber (pickling), Cucumber (slicing), New Zealand spinach, Okra, Onion (bulbing), Popcorn, Purslane, Summer squash & zucchini, Swiss chard, Tomato (cherry & grape), Tomato (early / short-season), Basil, Epazote, Papalo, Shiso (perilla), Cucamelon / mouse melon

Start seeds indoors

Cardoon, Celeriac (celery root), Onion (bulbing), Tomato (early / short-season), Basil, Parsley, Marigold, Strawflower

August34

Best time to plant

Vegetables: Armenian cucumber, Bean (bush snap), Bean (pole), Bitter melon, Celeriac (celery root), Cucumber (pickling), Cucumber (slicing), Eggplant, New Zealand spinach, Okra, Pepper (sweet / bell), Purslane, Summer squash & zucchini, Sweet corn, Tomato (cherry & grape), Tomato (early / short-season), Tomato (heat-set varieties), Tomato (paste / determinate), Tomato (slicing), Yardlong bean

Herbs: Basil, Borage, Dill, Epazote

Flowers: Annual salvia, Black-eyed Susan, Cleome (spider flower), Cosmos, Marigold, Nasturtium, Pentas (Egyptian star cluster), Statice, Strawflower, Zinnia

Can also plant

Amaranth greens / callaloo, Bottle gourd / cucuzza, Chinese broccoli (gai lan), Collard greens, Komatsuna (mustard spinach), Onion (bulbing), Shallot, Swiss chard, Papalo, Parsley, Shiso (perilla), Cucamelon / mouse melon, Coreopsis (tickseed), Globe amaranth (gomphrena)

Start seeds indoors

Broccoli, Cardoon, Celeriac (celery root), Leek, Onion (bulbing), Parsley, Pansy / viola, Snapdragon, Stock

September10

Best time to plant

Vegetables: Amaranth greens / callaloo, Cardoon, Celeriac (celery root), Napa / Chinese cabbage, Onion (bulbing), Swiss chard

Herbs: Borage, Dill, Fenugreek (methi)

Flowers: Coreopsis (tickseed)

Can also plant

Arugula, Beet, Broccoli, Broccoli raab (rapini), Brussels sprouts, Cabbage, Carrot, Chinese broccoli (gai lan), Collard greens, Daikon radish, Garden cress, Kale, Kohlrabi, Komatsuna (mustard spinach), Leek, Lettuce (leaf & mesclun), Lettuce (romaine & head), Mustard greens, Parsnip, Pea (shelling / English), Pea (snap & snow), Radish, Rutabaga, Salsify, Shallot, Spinach, Turnip, Caraway, Chamomile, Chervil, Cilantro, Parsley, Bachelor's button (cornflower), Calendula, California poppy, Larkspur, Pansy / viola, Snapdragon, Stock, Sweet alyssum, Sweet pea (flower)

Start seeds indoors

Broccoli, Brussels sprouts, Cabbage, Cardoon, Leek, Lettuce (romaine & head), Onion (bulbing), Parsley, Pansy / viola, Snapdragon, Stock

October49

Best time to plant

Vegetables: Arugula, Beet, Broccoli, Broccoli raab (rapini), Brussels sprouts, Cabbage, Cardoon, Carrot, Celeriac (celery root), Chinese broccoli (gai lan), Collard greens, Daikon radish, Elephant garlic, Fava bean, Garden cress, Garlic, Kale, Kohlrabi, Komatsuna (mustard spinach), Leek, Lettuce (leaf & mesclun), Lettuce (romaine & head), Mustard greens, Napa / Chinese cabbage, Onion (bulbing), Parsnip, Pea (shelling / English), Pea (snap & snow), Radish, Rutabaga, Salsify, Shallot, Spinach, Swiss chard, Turnip

Herbs: Caraway, Chamomile, Chervil, Cilantro, Parsley

Flowers: Bachelor's button (cornflower), Calendula, California poppy, Coreopsis (tickseed), Larkspur, Snapdragon, Stock, Sweet alyssum, Sweet pea (flower)

Can also plant

Mache (corn salad), Pansy / viola

Start seeds indoors

Broccoli, Brussels sprouts, Cabbage, Leek, Lettuce (romaine & head), Onion (bulbing), Parsley, Pansy / viola, Snapdragon, Stock

November50

Best time to plant

Vegetables: Arugula, Beet, Broccoli, Broccoli raab (rapini), Brussels sprouts, Cabbage, Cardoon, Carrot, Celeriac (celery root), Chinese broccoli (gai lan), Collard greens, Daikon radish, Elephant garlic, Fava bean, Garlic, Kale, Kohlrabi, Komatsuna (mustard spinach), Leek, Lettuce (leaf & mesclun), Lettuce (romaine & head), Mache (corn salad), Mustard greens, Napa / Chinese cabbage, Onion (bulbing), Parsnip, Pea (shelling / English), Pea (snap & snow), Radish, Rutabaga, Salsify, Shallot, Spinach, Swiss chard, Turnip

Herbs: Caraway, Chamomile, Chervil, Cilantro, Parsley

Flowers: Bachelor's button (cornflower), Calendula, California poppy, Coreopsis (tickseed), Larkspur, Pansy / viola, Snapdragon, Stock, Sweet alyssum, Sweet pea (flower)

Start seeds indoors

Broccoli, Brussels sprouts, Cabbage, Lettuce (romaine & head), Onion (bulbing), Parsley, Pansy / viola, Stock

December46

Best time to plant

Vegetables: Arugula, Beet, Broccoli, Broccoli raab (rapini), Brussels sprouts, Cabbage, Carrot, Chinese broccoli (gai lan), Collard greens, Daikon radish, Fava bean, Kale, Kohlrabi, Komatsuna (mustard spinach), Leek, Lettuce (leaf & mesclun), Lettuce (romaine & head), Mache (corn salad), Mustard greens, Napa / Chinese cabbage, Onion (bulbing), Parsnip, Pea (shelling / English), Pea (snap & snow), Radish, Rutabaga, Salsify, Shallot, Spinach, Swiss chard, Turnip

Herbs: Caraway, Chamomile, Chervil, Cilantro, Parsley

Flowers: Bachelor's button (cornflower), Calendula, California poppy, Coreopsis (tickseed), Larkspur, Pansy / viola, Snapdragon, Stock, Sweet alyssum, Sweet pea (flower)

Can also plant

Cardoon

Start seeds indoors

Broccoli, Celery, Lettuce (romaine & head), Stock

Every crop that grows in Columbia

160 of 174 crops in the app fit this climate. Dates are for planting outdoors; “Start indoors” is for seeds you grow into transplants.

Vegetables

Crop	Best time to plant	Also possible	Start indoors	How
Amaranth greens / callaloo	Apr 12–26, Aug 29–Sep 18	Apr 27–Aug 28	—	Sow seeds
Armenian cucumber	Mar 23–Apr 6, Jul 28–Aug 17	Apr 7–Jul 27	—	Sow seeds
Arugula	Jan 21–Feb 27, Oct 2–Dec 14	Feb 28–Apr 8, Aug 29–Oct 1, Dec 15–Jan 20	—	Sow seeds
Asparagus	Feb 16–Mar 8	Mar 9–28	—	Set out plants
Bean (bush snap)	Mar 23–Apr 6, Aug 11–Sep 1	Apr 7–27, Jul 18–Aug 10	—	Sow seeds
Bean (dry / shelling)	Mar 23–Apr 3, Jul 7–28	Jun 22–Jul 6	—	Sow seeds
Bean (lima)	Apr 12–24, Jul 13–Aug 2	Jun 14–Jul 12	—	Sow seeds
Bean (pole)	Mar 23–Apr 6, Aug 1–22	Apr 7–15, Jul 4–31	—	Sow seeds
Beet	Jan 19–Feb 13, Sep 28–Dec 18	Feb 14–Mar 26, Aug 23–Sep 27, Dec 19–Jan 18	—	Sow seeds
Bitter melon	Mar 23–Apr 6, Jul 30–Aug 20	Apr 7–May 3, Jun 22–Jul 29	—	Sow seeds
Bok choy / pak choi	Mar 2–12	—	—	Sow seeds
Bottle gourd / cucuzza	Apr 30–May 14	May 15–Aug 10	—	Sow seeds
Broccoli	Jan 16–29, Oct 6–Dec 22	Jan 30–Mar 8, Sep 7–Oct 5, Dec 23–Jan 15	Aug 25–Nov 10, Dec 5–18	Set out plants
Broccoli raab (rapini)	Jan 18–Feb 12, Oct 7–Dec 18	Feb 13–Mar 22, Sep 7–Oct 6, Dec 19–Jan 17	—	Sow seeds
Brussels sprouts	Oct 10–Dec 26	Sep 7–Oct 9, Dec 27–Feb 8	Aug 29–Nov 14	Set out plants
Cabbage	Oct 8–Dec 30	Aug 29–Oct 7, Dec 31–Mar 10	Aug 27–Nov 18	Set out plants
Cardoon	Sep 12–Dec 1	Aug 23–Sep 11, Dec 2–Jan 31	Jul 11–Sep 29	Set out plants
Carrot	Jan 17–Feb 6, Sep 28–Dec 20	Feb 7–Mar 19, Aug 23–Sep 27, Dec 21–Jan 16	—	Sow seeds
Cauliflower	Feb 23–Mar 9	—	Jan 12–26	Set out plants
Celeriac (celery root)	Aug 22–Nov 12	Feb 6–27, Jun 3–24, Jul 31–Aug 21, Nov 13–28	Jun 6–Aug 27	Set out plants
Celery	Mar 3–9	Jun 16–24	Dec 16–22	Set out plants
Chinese broccoli (gai lan)	Jan 18–Feb 12, Sep 25–Dec 18	Feb 13–Mar 26, Aug 17–Sep 24, Dec 19–Jan 17	—	Sow seeds
Collard greens	Oct 1–Jan 30	Jan 31–Mar 30, Jul 31–Sep 30	—	Sow seeds
Cucumber (pickling)	Mar 23–Apr 6, Aug 4–25	Apr 7–25, Jul 16–Aug 3	—	Sow seeds
Cucumber (slicing)	Mar 23–Apr 6, Aug 2–22	Apr 7–21, Jul 10–Aug 1	—	Sow seeds
Daikon radish	Jan 15–28, Oct 12–Dec 23	Jan 29–Mar 6, Sep 14–Oct 11, Dec 24–Jan 14	—	Sow seeds
Edamame	Apr 12–23, Jul 15–Aug 4	Jun 13–Jul 14	—	Sow seeds
Eggplant	Apr 12–26, Jul 18–Aug 7	Apr 27–Jul 17	Feb 8–22, May 16–Jun 5	Set out plants
Elephant garlic	Oct 2–Dec 1	—	—	Sow seeds
Fava bean	Oct 22–Dec 19	Sep 29–Oct 21, Dec 20–Jan 23	—	Sow seeds
Garden cress	Mar 2–28, Sep 27–Oct 13	Mar 29–Apr 23, Sep 9–26	—	Sow seeds
Garlic	Oct 2–Dec 1	—	—	Sow seeds
Ginger	May 28–Jun 25	Apr 30–May 27	Apr 9–May 7	Set out plants
Green onion / scallion	Feb 16–Mar 16	Mar 17–Apr 13	—	Sow seeds
Kale	Oct 12–Jan 27	Jan 28–Mar 26, Aug 23–Oct 11	—	Sow seeds
Kohlrabi	Jan 19–Feb 19, Oct 2–Dec 16	Feb 20–Mar 31, Aug 29–Oct 1, Dec 17–Jan 18	—	Sow seeds
Komatsuna (mustard spinach)	Jan 20–Feb 25, Sep 26–Dec 15	Feb 26–Apr 8, Aug 17–Sep 25, Dec 16–Jan 19	—	Sow seeds
Leek	Oct 3–Dec 29	Aug 23–Oct 2, Dec 30–Feb 14	Aug 1–Oct 27	Set out plants
Lettuce (leaf & mesclun)	Jan 20–Feb 20, Oct 2–Dec 16	Feb 21–Apr 1, Aug 29–Oct 1, Dec 17–Jan 19	—	Sow seeds
Lettuce (romaine & head)	Jan 17–Feb 3, Oct 7–Dec 21	Feb 4–Mar 13, Sep 7–Oct 6, Dec 22–Jan 16	Sep 2–Nov 16, Dec 13–30	Set out plants
Luffa gourd	Apr 30–May 14	May 15–Jul 6	—	Sow seeds
Mache (corn salad)	Oct 29–Jan 12	Jan 13–Feb 24, Sep 26–Oct 28	—	Sow seeds
Malabar spinach	Apr 30–May 14	May 15–Jun 25	Mar 12–26	Set out plants
Moringa	Apr 30–May 14	May 15–Jun 25	—	Sow seeds
Mustard greens	Jan 19–Feb 17, Oct 8–Dec 17	Feb 18–Mar 27, Sep 7–Oct 7, Dec 18–Jan 18	—	Sow seeds
Napa / Chinese cabbage	Jan 27–Feb 18, Sep 22–Dec 8	Feb 19–Mar 17, Aug 29–Sep 21, Dec 9–Jan 26	—	Sow seeds
New Zealand spinach	Mar 23–Apr 6, Aug 4–24	Apr 7–Aug 3	—	Sow seeds
Okinawa spinach	Apr 30–May 14	May 15–Jun 25	—	Set out plants
Okra	Apr 30–May 14, Aug 2–22	May 15–Aug 1	—	Sow seeds
Onion (bulbing)	Sep 14–Feb 4	Feb 5–Mar 24, Jun 10–Sep 13	Jun 29–Nov 19	Set out plants
Parsnip	Oct 2–Dec 27	Aug 23–Oct 1, Dec 28–Feb 11	—	Sow seeds
Pea (shelling / English)	Jan 21–Feb 9, Oct 2–Dec 14	Feb 10–Mar 13, Sep 7–Oct 1, Dec 15–Jan 20	—	Sow seeds
Pea (snap & snow)	Jan 21–Feb 7, Oct 2–Dec 15	Feb 8–Mar 11, Sep 7–Oct 1, Dec 16–Jan 20	—	Sow seeds
Peanut	Apr 30–May 14	May 15–Jun 11	—	Sow seeds
Pepper (hot / chili)	Mar 31–Apr 14, Jul 10–31	Apr 15–Jul 9	Jan 27–Feb 10, May 8–29	Set out plants
Pepper (sweet / bell)	Mar 30–Apr 13, Jul 20–Aug 10	Apr 14–26, Jun 14–Jul 19	Jan 26–Feb 9, May 18–Jun 8	Set out plants
Pigeon pea	May 15–29	Apr 30–May 14	—	Sow seeds
Popcorn	Mar 23–30	Mar 31–Jul 15	—	Sow seeds
Potato	Feb 16–Mar 2	Mar 3–17	—	Sow seeds
Pumpkin	Jun 10–Jul 6	—	—	Sow seeds
Purslane	Apr 12–26, Aug 10–31	Apr 27–Aug 9	—	Sow seeds
Radish	Jan 23–Mar 11, Oct 7–Dec 11	Mar 12–Apr 21, Sep 6–Oct 6, Dec 12–Jan 22	—	Sow seeds
Rhubarb	Feb 16–Mar 1	—	—	Set out plants
Roselle	Apr 30–May 7	—	Mar 26–Apr 2	Set out plants
Rutabaga	Oct 18–Dec 23	Sep 20–Oct 17, Dec 24–Jan 30	—	Sow seeds
Salsify	Sep 28–Dec 16	Aug 23–Sep 27, Dec 17–Jan 28	—	Sow seeds
Seminole pumpkin / calabaza	Apr 30–May 14, Jun 13–Jul 3	May 15–Jun 12	—	Sow seeds
Shallot	Jan 5–18, Sep 26–Jan 2	Jan 3–4, Jan 19–Mar 12, Jul 31–Sep 25	—	Sow seeds
Southern pea / cowpea	Apr 30–May 14, Jul 15–Aug 5	May 15–Jul 14	—	Sow seeds
Spinach	Oct 24–Jan 23	Jan 24–Mar 16, Sep 14–Oct 23	—	Sow seeds
Summer squash & zucchini	Mar 23–Apr 6, Aug 7–27	Apr 7–24, Jul 14–Aug 6	—	Sow seeds
Sunchoke (Jerusalem artichoke)	Feb 23–Mar 16	Mar 17–Apr 6	—	Sow seeds
Sweet corn	Mar 23–30, Jul 20–Aug 9	Mar 31–Jul 19	—	Sow seeds
Sweet potato	May 31–Jul 3	Apr 30–May 30, Jul 4–6	Apr 12–May 15	Set out plants
Swiss chard	Jan 19–Mar 6, Sep 14–Dec 18	Mar 7–Apr 22, Jul 12–Sep 13, Dec 19–Jan 18	—	Sow seeds
Tomatillo	Mar 23–Apr 6	Apr 7–20	Feb 9–23	Set out plants
Tomato (cherry & grape)	Mar 23–Apr 6, Aug 4–24	Apr 7–May 1, Jun 21–Aug 3	Feb 2–16, Jun 16–Jul 6	Set out plants
Tomato (early / short-season)	Mar 23–30, Aug 9–29	Mar 31–May 5, Jun 25–Aug 8	Feb 2–9, Jun 21–Jul 11	Set out plants
Tomato (heat-set varieties)	Apr 12–26, Jul 22–Aug 12	Apr 27–Jul 21	Feb 22–Mar 8, Jun 3–24	Set out plants
Tomato (paste / determinate)	Mar 23–Apr 6, Jul 22–Aug 12	Apr 7–11, Jun 30–Jul 21	Feb 2–16, Jun 3–24	Set out plants
Tomato (slicing)	Mar 23–Apr 6, Jul 20–Aug 9	Apr 7, Jun 24–Jul 19	Feb 2–16, Jun 1–21	Set out plants
Turnip	Jan 19–Feb 19, Oct 2–Dec 16	Feb 20–Mar 31, Aug 29–Oct 1, Dec 17–Jan 18	—	Sow seeds
Watercress	Feb 23–Mar 16	Mar 17–Apr 6	—	Sow seeds
Winged bean	Apr 30–May 14	May 15–Jul 6	—	Sow seeds
Winter melon / wax gourd	Apr 12–26, Jun 15–Jul 6	Apr 27–Jun 14	—	Sow seeds
Winter squash	Mar 23–31, Jun 25–Jul 16	Jun 18–24	—	Sow seeds
Yardlong bean	Apr 30–May 14, Jul 20–Aug 10	May 15–Jul 19	—	Sow seeds

Herbs

Crop	Best time to plant	Also possible	Start indoors	How
Anise hyssop	Mar 16–Apr 2	Apr 3–20	Jan 30–Feb 16	Set out plants
Basil	Apr 12–19, Aug 2–22	Apr 20–Aug 1	Mar 8–15, Jun 28–Jul 18	Set out plants
Bay laurel	Mar 23–Apr 16	Apr 17–May 11	—	Set out plants
Bee balm (bergamot)	Mar 16–Apr 4	—	Jan 26–Feb 14	Set out plants
Borage	Mar 9–27, Aug 22–Sep 8	Mar 28–Apr 11, Jul 31–Aug 21	—	Sow seeds
Caraway	Sep 28–Dec 22	Aug 23–Sep 27, Dec 23–Mar 8	—	Sow seeds
Catnip	Mar 2–22	Mar 23–Apr 11	Jan 12–Feb 1	Set out plants
Chamomile	Jan 17–Feb 7, Sep 28–Dec 19	Feb 8–Mar 20, Aug 23–Sep 27, Dec 20–Jan 16	—	Sow seeds
Chervil	Jan 20–Feb 9, Oct 8–Dec 15	Feb 10–Mar 12, Sep 14–Oct 7, Dec 16–Jan 19	—	Sow seeds
Chives	Mar 16–Apr 2	—	Jan 26–Feb 12	Set out plants
Cilantro	Jan 21–Feb 11, Oct 2–Dec 14	Feb 12–Mar 16, Sep 7–Oct 1, Dec 15–Jan 20	—	Sow seeds
Cuban oregano	May 6–Jun 2	Apr 12–May 5, Jun 3–7	—	Set out plants
Culantro	Apr 30–May 14	May 15–Jun 25	—	Sow seeds
Dill	Mar 2–9, Aug 23–Sep 13	Mar 10–Apr 2	—	Sow seeds
Epazote	Mar 23–Apr 6, Aug 16–Sep 6	Apr 7–Aug 15	—	Sow seeds
Fenugreek (methi)	Mar 16–29, Sep 8–25	Mar 30–Apr 13, Aug 23–Sep 7	—	Sow seeds
Feverfew	Mar 9–23	—	Jan 19–Feb 2	Set out plants
Garlic chives	Mar 16–Apr 13	Apr 14–May 11	Jan 26–Feb 23	Set out plants
Lavender	Mar 23–Apr 13	—	Jan 5–26	Set out plants
Lemon balm	Mar 2–23	Mar 24–Apr 13	Jan 26–Feb 16	Set out plants
Lemon verbena	Mar 28–Apr 21	Mar 23–27, Apr 22–May 11	—	Set out plants
Lemongrass	May 28–Jun 25	Apr 30–May 27	—	Set out plants
Marjoram	Mar 23–Apr 20	—	Feb 2–Mar 2	Set out plants
Mint	Mar 2–23	Mar 24–Apr 13	—	Set out plants
Oregano	Mar 16–Apr 13	Apr 14–May 11	Jan 26–Feb 23	Set out plants
Papalo	Apr 12–26	Apr 27–Aug 12	—	Sow seeds
Parsley	Jan 8–29, Sep 26–Dec 30	Jan 30–Mar 23, Jul 31–Sep 25, Dec 31–Jan 7	Jul 25–Oct 28, Nov 6–27	Set out plants
Rosemary	Mar 23–Apr 16	Apr 17–May 11	Jan 5–29	Set out plants
Sage	Mar 9–Apr 2	—	Jan 19–Feb 12	Set out plants
Shiso (perilla)	Mar 23–30	Mar 31–Aug 19	Feb 16–23	Set out plants
Sorrel (French / garden)	Feb 23–Mar 14	Mar 15–Apr 3	—	Sow seeds
Stevia	May 15–31	Apr 12–May 14	—	Set out plants
Summer savory	Mar 16–30	Mar 31–Apr 15	—	Sow seeds
Tarragon (French)	Mar 16–27	—	—	Set out plants
Thyme	Mar 16–Apr 13	—	Jan 19–Feb 16	Set out plants
Vietnamese coriander (rau ram)	Apr 19–May 17	Mar 23–Apr 18, May 18	—	Set out plants
Winter savory	Mar 16–Apr 4	Apr 5–23	Jan 26–Feb 14	Set out plants

Fruit

Crop	Best time to plant	Also possible	Start indoors	How
Blackberry	Feb 9–Mar 12	Mar 13–Apr 13	—	Set out plants
Blueberry	Feb 4–Mar 14	Jan 19–Feb 3, Mar 15–Apr 6	—	Set out plants
Cantaloupe & melons	Apr 12–26, Jul 8–28	Apr 27–Jul 7	—	Sow seeds
Cucamelon / mouse melon	Mar 23–Apr 6	Apr 7–Aug 12	Feb 16–Mar 2	Set out plants
Fig	Feb 23–Mar 23	Mar 24–May 4	—	Set out plants
Grape (bunch)	Feb 16–Mar 9	Mar 10–30	—	Set out plants
Ground cherry	Mar 23–Apr 6	Apr 7–26	Feb 2–16	Set out plants
Muscadine grape	Feb 26–Mar 19	Feb 23–25, Mar 20–Apr 6	—	Set out plants
Raspberry	Feb 16–Mar 4	—	—	Set out plants
Strawberry	Feb 16–Mar 7	Mar 8–27	—	Set out plants
Watermelon	Apr 12–26, Jul 5–26	Apr 27–Jul 4	—	Sow seeds

Flowers

Crop	Best time to plant	Also possible	Start indoors	How
Annual salvia	Apr 22–May 10, Jun 30–Sep 2	Mar 23–Apr 21, May 11–Jun 29, Sep 3–6	Feb 11–Mar 1, Apr 21–Jun 24	Set out plants
Bachelor's button (cornflower)	Oct 6–Dec 22	Sep 7–Oct 5, Dec 23–Mar 5	—	Sow seeds
Black-eyed Susan	Mar 16–Apr 3, Jun 16–Aug 9	Apr 4–Jun 15	—	Sow seeds
Calendula	Jan 19–Feb 16, Sep 29–Dec 18	Feb 17–Mar 29, Aug 23–Sep 28, Dec 19–Jan 18	—	Sow seeds
California poppy	Oct 6–Dec 22	Sep 7–Oct 5, Dec 23–Mar 5	—	Sow seeds
Celosia	Apr 30–May 7, Jul 10–31	May 8–Jul 9	Mar 12–19, May 22–Jun 12	Set out plants
Cleome (spider flower)	May 31–Aug 7	Mar 23–May 30	—	Sow seeds
Coreopsis (tickseed)	Sep 24–Dec 23	Aug 17–Sep 23, Dec 24–Mar 5	—	Sow seeds
Cosmos	Jun 9–Aug 11	Apr 12–Jun 8, Aug 12–17	—	Sow seeds
Globe amaranth (gomphrena)	May 30–Aug 1	Apr 12–May 29, Aug 2–17	Apr 11–Jun 13	Set out plants
Larkspur	Oct 16–Dec 28	Sep 14–Oct 15, Dec 29–Feb 7	—	Sow seeds
Marigold	Apr 17–May 4, Jun 30–Sep 1	Mar 23–Apr 16, May 5–Jun 29	Feb 27–Mar 16, May 12–Jul 14	Set out plants
Milkweed (native)	Mar 16–Apr 13	Apr 14–May 11	Feb 9–Mar 9	Set out plants
Nasturtium	Mar 16–30, Aug 23–Sep 6	—	—	Sow seeds
Pansy / viola	Jan 6–23, Oct 26–Jan 2	Jan 3–5, Jan 24–Mar 11, Sep 20–Oct 25	Aug 10–Oct 17, Oct 21–Nov 7	Set out plants
Pentas (Egyptian star cluster)	Jun 19–Aug 14	Apr 30–Jun 18, Aug 15–Sep 7	Apr 17–Jun 12	Set out plants
Purple coneflower (echinacea)	Mar 16–Apr 13	Apr 14–May 11	Dec 29–Jan 26	Set out plants
Snapdragon	Oct 12–Dec 24	Sep 14–Oct 11, Dec 25–Feb 7	Aug 10–Oct 22	Set out plants
Statice	Mar 16–30, Aug 8–29	Mar 31–Apr 3, Jul 31–Aug 7	Jan 12–26, Jun 6–27	Set out plants
Stock	Jan 25–Feb 14, Oct 3–Dec 10	Feb 15–Mar 12, Sep 14–Oct 2, Dec 11–Jan 24	Aug 1–Oct 8, Nov 23–Dec 13	Set out plants
Strawflower	Mar 16–30, Aug 16–Sep 5	Mar 31–Apr 9, Jul 31–Aug 15	Jan 26–Feb 9, Jun 28–Jul 18	Set out plants
Sunflower	Jun 2–Aug 2	Mar 23–Jun 1	—	Sow seeds
Sweet alyssum	Jan 19–Feb 17, Sep 29–Dec 17	Feb 18–Mar 30, Aug 23–Sep 28, Dec 18–Jan 18	—	Sow seeds
Sweet pea (flower)	Oct 7–Dec 22	Sep 14–Oct 6, Dec 23–Feb 14	—	Sow seeds
Zinnia	Jun 8–Aug 10	Apr 12–Jun 7, Aug 11–19	—	Sow seeds

Crops that struggle in Columbia

These need a climate Columbia doesn't have. Pots, shade cloth or a greenhouse can stretch the rules.

Artichoke: The frost-free season (about 245 days) is shorter than the 92 days it needs.
Banana: Has to live outdoors through winter and needs nights no colder than about 45°F; the coldest month here averages 37°F.
Cassava (yuca): Has to live outdoors through winter and needs nights no colder than about 40°F; the coldest month here averages 37°F.
Chaya (tree spinach): Has to live outdoors through winter and needs nights no colder than about 40°F; the coldest month here averages 37°F.
Chickpea / garbanzo: The frost-free season (about 245 days) is shorter than the 108 days it needs.
Endive & escarole: The frost-free season (about 245 days) is shorter than the 85 days it needs.
Fennel (bulb): The frost-free season (about 245 days) is shorter than the 75 days it needs.
Jicama: The frost-free season (about 245 days) is shorter than the 180 days it needs.
Lovage: It never stays cool long enough here; it wants highs under 86°F while it grows.
Papaya: Has to live outdoors through winter and needs nights no colder than about 48°F; the coldest month here averages 37°F.
Passion fruit: Has to live outdoors through winter and needs nights no colder than about 44°F; the coldest month here averages 37°F.
Pineapple: Has to live outdoors through winter and needs nights no colder than about 45°F; the coldest month here averages 37°F.
Radicchio: It never stays cool long enough here; it wants highs under 78°F while it grows.
Taro (dasheen): The frost-free season (about 245 days) is shorter than the 225 days it needs.

Nearby planting calendars

Augusta, GA 65 mi · last frost around Feb 27
Charlotte, NC 85 mi · last frost around Mar 30
Savannah, GA 133 mi · last frost around Mar 2
Macon, GA 170 mi · last frost around Mar 21
Atlanta, GA 193 mi · last frost around Mar 24
All South Carolina cities

How these dates are worked out

Each crop has temperature limits and timing from university extension guides: how cold a night it can take, how much heat it can stand, how long it takes to mature, and how far before or after the last frost it goes in. Those are checked day by day against the Columbia Univ Of Sc station's NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals (average highs, lows, rain and frost dates). Dates are estimates for a typical year; a sheltered yard, a slope or a cold pocket can shift them by a week or two.

Weather: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, 1991–2020 U.S. Climate Normals. Crop timing: university extension guides (sources listed for each crop in the app). City locations: GeoNames (CC BY 4.0).