Planting calendar for Charleston, West Virginia

Dates from 30 years of records at the Charleston Yeager Airport weather station, 3.1 miles from Charleston, worked out crop by crop with the same method as the Year Round Garden app.

Charleston at a glance

Weather station: Charleston Yeager Airport · 3.1 mi
USDA zone: 7a
Last spring frost: typically Apr 16; 1 year in 10 after May 5
First fall frost: typically Oct 26; 1 year in 10 before Oct 13
Frost-free season: about 193 days
Hottest month: July: highs 86°F, nights 66°F
Coldest month: January: highs 44°F, nights 26°F
Rain: 46 in. a year, most in May, June and July

What shapes the seasons here

The last spring frost in Charleston typically comes around Apr 16, but 1 year in 10 it comes after May 5. The first fall frost typically arrives around Oct 26. That leaves about 193 frost-free days for tender crops like tomatoes, peppers and squash.

Charleston gets about 46 inches of rain a year, most of it in May, June and July.

159 of the 174 crops in the app grow here; 15 need a different climate (listed near the bottom).

When to plant the most popular crops

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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 Charleston, month by month

January0

Too cold to plant outdoors. Plan beds, order seeds and start the ones listed indoors.

Start seeds indoors

Celeriac (celery root), Celery, Leek, Onion (bulbing), Parsley, Pansy / viola

February1

Best time to plant

Fruit: Blueberry

Start seeds indoors

Artichoke, Broccoli, Brussels sprouts, Cabbage, Cardoon, Cauliflower, Catnip, Feverfew, Lovage, Sage, Purple coneflower (echinacea), Statice, Stock

March36

Best time to plant

Vegetables: Arugula, Asparagus, Beet, Broccoli, Broccoli raab (rapini), Brussels sprouts, Cabbage, Collard greens, Green onion / scallion, Kale, Kohlrabi, Leek, Lettuce (leaf & mesclun), Mustard greens, Onion (bulbing), Pea (shelling / English), Pea (snap & snow), Potato, Radicchio, Radish, Rhubarb, Shallot, Spinach, Turnip

Herbs: Chamomile

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

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

Can also plant

Mache (corn salad)

Start seeds indoors

Celery, Eggplant, Onion (bulbing), 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, Feverfew, Garlic chives, Lavender, Lemon balm, Rosemary, Sage, Shiso (perilla), Winter savory, Cucamelon / mouse melon, Ground cherry, Milkweed (native), Strawflower

April59

Best time to plant

Vegetables: Artichoke, Arugula, Asparagus, Beet, Bok choy / pak choi, Broccoli raab (rapini), Cardoon, Carrot, Cauliflower, Celeriac (celery root), Celery, Chickpea / garbanzo, Chinese broccoli (gai lan), Daikon radish, Fennel (bulb), Garden cress, Lettuce (leaf & mesclun), Mustard greens, Parsnip, Potato, Radish, Rhubarb, Salsify, Sunchoke (Jerusalem artichoke), Swiss chard, Tomato (early / short-season), Watercress

Herbs: Anise hyssop, Bee balm (bergamot), Borage, Caraway, Catnip, Chervil, Chives, Dill, Feverfew, Garlic chives, Lemon balm, Lovage, Mint, Parsley, Sage, Sorrel (French / garden), Summer savory, Tarragon (French), Winter savory

Fruit: Fig, Grape (bunch), Muscadine grape, Strawberry

Flowers: Bachelor's button (cornflower), Calendula, California poppy, Nasturtium, Purple coneflower (echinacea), Statice, Stock, Strawflower, Sweet alyssum

Can also plant

Broccoli, Cabbage, Collard greens, Green onion / scallion, Kale, Kohlrabi, Komatsuna (mustard spinach), Leek, Onion (bulbing), Pea (shelling / English), Pea (snap & snow), Shallot, Spinach, Turnip, Chamomile, Fenugreek (methi), Oregano, Thyme, Blackberry, Blueberry, Raspberry, Black-eyed Susan, Coreopsis (tickseed), Milkweed (native), Pansy / viola

Start seeds indoors

Celeriac (celery root), Celery, Malabar spinach, Onion (bulbing), Pepper (hot / chili), Sweet potato, Tomato (heat-set varieties), Anise hyssop, Basil, Bee balm (bergamot), Chives, Garlic chives, Marjoram, Oregano, Thyme, Annual salvia, Celosia, Globe amaranth (gomphrena), Marigold, Milkweed (native), Pentas (Egyptian star cluster), Snapdragon

May39

Best time to plant

Vegetables: Amaranth greens / callaloo, Armenian cucumber, Bean (bush snap), Bean (dry / shelling), Bean (lima), Bean (pole), Bitter melon, Cucumber (pickling), Cucumber (slicing), Edamame, Eggplant, New Zealand spinach, Pepper (hot / chili), Pepper (sweet / bell), Pumpkin, Purslane, Salsify, Summer squash & zucchini, Tomatillo, Tomato (cherry & grape), Tomato (heat-set varieties), Tomato (paste / determinate), Tomato (slicing), Winter melon / wax gourd, Winter squash

Herbs: Basil, Epazote, Lavender, Lemon verbena, Marjoram, Papalo, Rosemary, Thyme, Vietnamese coriander (rau ram)

Fruit: Cantaloupe & melons, Cucamelon / mouse melon, Ground cherry, Watermelon

Flowers: Milkweed (native)

Can also plant

Artichoke, Asparagus, Beet, Cardoon, Carrot, Celeriac (celery root), Celery, Chickpea / garbanzo, Chinese broccoli (gai lan), Collard greens, Garden cress, Green onion / scallion, Kale, Kohlrabi, Leek, Onion (bulbing), Parsnip, Popcorn, Potato, Radish, Rhubarb, Shallot, Sweet corn, Swiss chard, Tomato (early / short-season), Turnip, Watercress, Anise hyssop, Bee balm (bergamot), Borage, Caraway, Catnip, Chamomile, Chives, Cuban oregano, Dill, Feverfew, Garlic chives, Lemon balm, Lovage, Mint, Oregano, Parsley, Sage, Shiso (perilla), Sorrel (French / garden), Stevia, Summer savory, Tarragon (French), Winter savory, Blackberry, Fig, Raspberry, Strawberry, Annual salvia, Black-eyed Susan, Calendula, Cleome (spider flower), Coreopsis (tickseed), Cosmos, Globe amaranth (gomphrena), Marigold, Nasturtium, Purple coneflower (echinacea), Statice, Strawflower, Sunflower, Sweet alyssum, Zinnia

Start seeds indoors

Eggplant, Ginger, Leek, Malabar spinach, Pepper (hot / chili), Pepper (sweet / bell), Tomato (heat-set varieties), Tomato (paste / determinate), Tomato (slicing), Parsley, Annual salvia, Celosia, Globe amaranth (gomphrena), Marigold, Milkweed (native), Pentas (Egyptian star cluster), Statice

June54

Best time to plant

Vegetables: Bean (dry / shelling), Bean (lima), Bottle gourd / cucuzza, Celeriac (celery root), Celery, Edamame, Ginger, Luffa gourd, Malabar spinach, Moringa, Okinawa spinach, Okra, Onion (bulbing), Pepper (hot / chili), Potato, Pumpkin, Salsify, Seminole pumpkin / calabaza, Southern pea / cowpea, Sweet potato, Winged bean, Winter melon / wax gourd, Winter squash, Yardlong bean

Herbs: Anise hyssop, Bee balm (bergamot), Chives, Cuban oregano, Culantro, Garlic chives, Lavender, Lemon verbena, Lemongrass, Marjoram, Oregano, Rosemary, Stevia, Thyme, Vietnamese coriander (rau ram)

Fruit: Cantaloupe & melons, Watermelon

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

Can also plant

Amaranth greens / callaloo, Armenian cucumber, Bean (bush snap), Bean (pole), Beet, Bitter melon, Brussels sprouts, Cabbage, Cardoon, Carrot, Chickpea / garbanzo, Chinese broccoli (gai lan), Collard greens, Cucumber (pickling), Cucumber (slicing), Eggplant, Kale, Komatsuna (mustard spinach), Leek, Napa / Chinese cabbage, New Zealand spinach, Parsnip, Pepper (sweet / bell), Popcorn, Purslane, Shallot, Summer squash & zucchini, Sweet corn, Swiss chard, Tomatillo, Tomato (cherry & grape), Tomato (early / short-season), Tomato (heat-set varieties), Tomato (paste / determinate), Tomato (slicing), Basil, Borage, Caraway, Chamomile, Epazote, Papalo, Parsley, Shiso (perilla), Summer savory, Tarragon (French), Winter savory, Cucamelon / mouse melon, Ground cherry, Calendula, Nasturtium, Purple coneflower (echinacea), Statice, Strawflower, Sweet alyssum

Start seeds indoors

Broccoli, Brussels sprouts, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Tomato (cherry & grape), Tomato (early / short-season), Basil, Marigold, Pansy / viola, Stock, Strawflower

July56

Best time to plant

Vegetables: Armenian cucumber, Bean (bush snap), Bean (dry / shelling), Bean (lima), Bean (pole), Bitter melon, Brussels sprouts, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Cucumber (pickling), Cucumber (slicing), Edamame, Eggplant, Komatsuna (mustard spinach), Leek, Malabar spinach, Napa / Chinese cabbage, New Zealand spinach, Okra, Onion (bulbing), Pepper (hot / chili), Pepper (sweet / bell), Potato, Purslane, Shallot, Southern pea / cowpea, 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, Caraway, Cuban oregano, Culantro, Parsley

Fruit: Cantaloupe & melons

Flowers: Annual salvia, Black-eyed Susan, Calendula, Celosia, Cleome (spider flower), Coreopsis (tickseed), Cosmos, Globe amaranth (gomphrena), Marigold, Nasturtium, Pentas (Egyptian star cluster), Statice, Sunflower, Sweet alyssum, Zinnia

Can also plant

Amaranth greens / callaloo, Arugula, Beet, Bottle gourd / cucuzza, Broccoli, Broccoli raab (rapini), Carrot, Chinese broccoli (gai lan), Collard greens, Kale, Kohlrabi, Lettuce (leaf & mesclun), Lettuce (romaine & head), Moringa, Okinawa spinach, Parsnip, Pea (shelling / English), Pea (snap & snow), Swiss chard, Tomatillo, Turnip, Chamomile, Cilantro, Dill, Epazote, Fenugreek (methi), Papalo, Shiso (perilla), Summer savory, Cucamelon / mouse melon, Ground cherry, Bachelor's button (cornflower), California poppy, Strawflower

Start seeds indoors

Broccoli, Lettuce (romaine & head)

August40

Best time to plant

Vegetables: Amaranth greens / callaloo, Bean (bush snap), Beet, Bok choy / pak choi, Broccoli, Broccoli raab (rapini), Cabbage, Carrot, Chinese broccoli (gai lan), Collard greens, Daikon radish, Kale, Kohlrabi, Komatsuna (mustard spinach), Lettuce (leaf & mesclun), Lettuce (romaine & head), Napa / Chinese cabbage, Pea (shelling / English), Pea (snap & snow), Purslane, Swiss chard, Tomato (early / short-season), Turnip

Herbs: Borage, Caraway, Chamomile, Chervil, Cilantro, Dill, Epazote, Fenugreek (methi), Parsley

Flowers: Bachelor's button (cornflower), Calendula, California poppy, Nasturtium, Statice, Stock, Strawflower, Sweet alyssum

Can also plant

Arugula, Garden cress, Mustard greens, Radish, Spinach, Annual salvia, Marigold, Pansy / viola, Pentas (Egyptian star cluster)

September10

Best time to plant

Vegetables: Arugula, Garden cress, Kale, Komatsuna (mustard spinach), Lettuce (leaf & mesclun), Mache (corn salad), Mustard greens, Radish, Spinach

Flowers: Pansy / viola

October2

Best time to plant

Vegetables: Elephant garlic, Garlic

November2

Best time to plant

Vegetables: Elephant garlic, Garlic

December0

Too cold to plant outdoors. Plan beds, order seeds and start the ones listed indoors.

Start seeds indoors

Onion (bulbing), Pansy / viola

Every crop that grows in Charleston

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

Herbs

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

Fruit

Crop	Best time to plant	Also possible	Start indoors	How
Blackberry	Mar 12–Apr 2	Apr 3–May 14	—	Set out plants
Blueberry	Feb 21–Mar 26	Mar 27–May 9	—	Set out plants
Cantaloupe & melons	May 13–27, Jun 17–Jul 7	May 28–Jun 16	—	Sow seeds
Cucamelon / mouse melon	Apr 25–May 9	May 10–Jul 22	Mar 21–Apr 4	Set out plants
Fig	Mar 26–Apr 23	Apr 24–Jun 4	—	Set out plants
Grape (bunch)	Mar 19–Apr 16	Apr 17–30	—	Set out plants
Ground cherry	Apr 25–May 9	May 10–Jul 27	Mar 7–21	Set out plants
Muscadine grape	Mar 26–Apr 16	Apr 17–May 7	—	Set out plants
Raspberry	Mar 19–Apr 2	Apr 3–May 14	—	Set out plants
Strawberry	Mar 19–Apr 16	Apr 17–May 14	—	Set out plants
Watermelon	May 13–27, Jun 14–Jul 5	May 28–Jun 13	—	Sow seeds

Flowers

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

Crops that struggle in Charleston

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

Banana: Has to live outdoors through winter and needs nights no colder than about 45°F; the coldest month here averages 26°F.
Bay laurel: Has to live outdoors through winter and needs nights no colder than about 32°F; the coldest month here averages 26°F.
Cassava (yuca): Has to live outdoors through winter and needs nights no colder than about 40°F; the coldest month here averages 26°F.
Chaya (tree spinach): Has to live outdoors through winter and needs nights no colder than about 40°F; the coldest month here averages 26°F.
Endive & escarole: The frost-free season (about 193 days) is shorter than the 85 days it needs.
Fava bean: The frost-free season (about 193 days) is shorter than the 90 days it needs.
Jicama: The frost-free season (about 193 days) is shorter than the 180 days it needs.
Papaya: Has to live outdoors through winter and needs nights no colder than about 48°F; the coldest month here averages 26°F.
Passion fruit: Has to live outdoors through winter and needs nights no colder than about 44°F; the coldest month here averages 26°F.
Peanut: The frost-free season (about 193 days) is shorter than the 130 days it needs.
Pigeon pea: The frost-free season (about 193 days) is shorter than the 150 days it needs.
Pineapple: Has to live outdoors through winter and needs nights no colder than about 45°F; the coldest month here averages 26°F.
Roselle: The frost-free season (about 193 days) is shorter than the 165 days it needs.
Rutabaga: The frost-free season (about 193 days) is shorter than the 95 days it needs.
Taro (dasheen): The frost-free season (about 193 days) is shorter than the 225 days it needs.

Nearby planting calendars

Columbus, OH 133 mi · last frost around Apr 20
Lexington, KY 155 mi · last frost around Apr 13
Charlotte, NC 220 mi · last frost around Mar 30
Washington, DC 251 mi · last frost around Mar 24
Indianapolis, IN 262 mi · last frost around Apr 20
All West Virginia 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 Charleston Yeager Airport 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).