FrostCal

When to Plant Watermelon in South Carolina

In a typical South Carolina location, start seeds indoors Feb 22 – Mar 1, then transplant outdoors Apr 5 – Apr 12. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Feb 18 in Charleston and as late as May 4 in Gaffney.

Method Start indoors, then transplant
Days to maturity 70–90 days

Needs warm soil (65F+); start indoors 3-4 weeks before last frost, transplant 2-3 weeks after last frost.

Watermelon Planting Dates by City

CityStart indoorsTransplant
ColumbiaFeb 16 – Feb 23Mar 30 – Apr 6
CharlestonJan 7 – Jan 14Feb 18 – Feb 25
North CharlestonFeb 7 – Feb 14Mar 21 – Mar 28
Mount PleasantFeb 13 – Feb 20Mar 27 – Apr 3
Rock HillFeb 27 – Mar 6Apr 10 – Apr 17
GreenvilleFeb 28 – Mar 7Apr 11 – Apr 18
SummervilleFeb 22 – Mar 1Apr 5 – Apr 12
SumterFeb 24 – Mar 3Apr 7 – Apr 14
Goose CreekFeb 7 – Feb 14Mar 21 – Mar 28
Hilton Head IslandFeb 3 – Feb 10Mar 17 – Mar 24
FlorenceFeb 19 – Feb 26Apr 2 – Apr 9
SpartanburgMar 11 – Mar 18Apr 22 – Apr 29
Hilton HeadFeb 3 – Feb 10Mar 17 – Mar 24
Myrtle BeachFeb 21 – Feb 28Apr 4 – Apr 11
AikenFeb 19 – Feb 26Apr 2 – Apr 9
GreerFeb 28 – Mar 7Apr 11 – Apr 18
AndersonFeb 23 – Mar 2Apr 6 – Apr 13
MauldinFeb 28 – Mar 7Apr 11 – Apr 18
GreenwoodFeb 26 – Mar 5Apr 9 – Apr 16
North AugustaJan 30 – Feb 6Mar 13 – Mar 20
TaylorsFeb 28 – Mar 7Apr 11 – Apr 18
Saint AndrewsFeb 16 – Feb 23Mar 30 – Apr 6
ConwayFeb 15 – Feb 22Mar 29 – Apr 5
EasleyMar 4 – Mar 11Apr 15 – Apr 22
SimpsonvilleMar 1 – Mar 8Apr 12 – Apr 19
Wade HamptonFeb 16 – Feb 23Mar 30 – Apr 6
LexingtonFeb 25 – Mar 4Apr 8 – Apr 15
SocasteeFeb 15 – Feb 22Mar 29 – Apr 5
HanahanFeb 7 – Feb 14Mar 21 – Mar 28
BlufftonFeb 3 – Feb 10Mar 17 – Mar 24

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 watermelon in South Carolina?

In a typical South Carolina location, start seeds indoors Feb 22 – Mar 1, then transplant outdoors Apr 5 – Apr 12. Across the state, the outdoor planting window starts as early as Feb 18 in Charleston and as late as May 4 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 watermelon take to grow?

Watermelon typically take 70–90 days from planting to harvest. Needs warm soil (65F+); start indoors 3-4 weeks before last frost, transplant 2-3 weeks after last frost.

Other Crops in South Carolina

When to plant watermelon in other states

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