When to Plant Tomatoes in South Carolina

In a typical South Carolina location, start seeds indoors Jan 25 – Feb 8, then transplant outdoors Mar 29 – Apr 5. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Feb 11 in Charleston and as late as Apr 27 in Gaffney.

Method Start indoors, then transplant
Days to maturity 60–85 days

Start indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost; transplant out 1-2 weeks after last frost once soil has warmed.

Tomatoes Planting Dates by City

CityStart indoorsTransplant
ColumbiaJan 19 – Feb 2Mar 23 – Mar 30
CharlestonDec 10 – Dec 24Feb 11 – Feb 18
North CharlestonJan 10 – Jan 24Mar 14 – Mar 21
Mount PleasantJan 16 – Jan 30Mar 20 – Mar 27
Rock HillJan 30 – Feb 13Apr 3 – Apr 10
GreenvilleJan 31 – Feb 14Apr 4 – Apr 11
SummervilleJan 25 – Feb 8Mar 29 – Apr 5
SumterJan 27 – Feb 10Mar 31 – Apr 7
Goose CreekJan 10 – Jan 24Mar 14 – Mar 21
Hilton Head IslandJan 6 – Jan 20Mar 10 – Mar 17
FlorenceJan 22 – Feb 5Mar 26 – Apr 2
SpartanburgFeb 11 – Feb 25Apr 15 – Apr 22
Hilton HeadJan 6 – Jan 20Mar 10 – Mar 17
Myrtle BeachJan 24 – Feb 7Mar 28 – Apr 4
AikenJan 22 – Feb 5Mar 26 – Apr 2
GreerJan 31 – Feb 14Apr 4 – Apr 11
AndersonJan 26 – Feb 9Mar 30 – Apr 6
MauldinJan 31 – Feb 14Apr 4 – Apr 11
GreenwoodJan 29 – Feb 12Apr 2 – Apr 9
North AugustaJan 2 – Jan 16Mar 6 – Mar 13
TaylorsJan 31 – Feb 14Apr 4 – Apr 11
Saint AndrewsJan 19 – Feb 2Mar 23 – Mar 30
ConwayJan 18 – Feb 1Mar 22 – Mar 29
EasleyFeb 4 – Feb 18Apr 8 – Apr 15
SimpsonvilleFeb 1 – Feb 15Apr 5 – Apr 12
Wade HamptonJan 19 – Feb 2Mar 23 – Mar 30
LexingtonJan 28 – Feb 11Apr 1 – Apr 8
SocasteeJan 18 – Feb 1Mar 22 – Mar 29
HanahanJan 10 – Jan 24Mar 14 – Mar 21
BlufftonJan 6 – Jan 20Mar 10 – Mar 17

Showing the 30 most populous of 58 South Carolina cities. Dates are estimates from each city's NOAA frost normals and university extension timing guidelines. See all South Carolina cities.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant tomatoes in South Carolina?

In a typical South Carolina location, start seeds indoors Jan 25 – Feb 8, then transplant outdoors Mar 29 – Apr 5. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Feb 11 in Charleston and as late as Apr 27 in Gaffney.

When is the last frost in South Carolina?

The average last spring frost in South Carolina ranges from February 4 in Charleston to April 20 in Gaffney, based on NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals.

How long do tomatoes take to grow?

Tomatoes typically take 60–85 days from planting to harvest. Start indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost; transplant out 1-2 weeks after last frost once soil has warmed.

Other Crops in South Carolina

When to plant tomatoes in other states

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