FrostCal

When to Plant Winter Squash in South Carolina

In a typical South Carolina location, start seeds indoors Feb 22 – Mar 1, then sow outdoors Mar 29 – Apr 12, 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 Direct sow
Days to maturity 80–110 days

Long season; direct sow after soil warms, or start indoors 3-4 weeks before last frost in short-season climates.

Winter Squash Planting Dates by City

CityStart indoorsDirect sowTransplant
ColumbiaFeb 16 – Feb 23Mar 23 – Apr 6Mar 23 – Mar 30
CharlestonJan 7 – Jan 14Feb 11 – Feb 25Feb 11 – Feb 18
North CharlestonFeb 7 – Feb 14Mar 14 – Mar 28Mar 14 – Mar 21
Mount PleasantFeb 13 – Feb 20Mar 20 – Apr 3Mar 20 – Mar 27
Rock HillFeb 27 – Mar 6Apr 3 – Apr 17Apr 3 – Apr 10
GreenvilleFeb 28 – Mar 7Apr 4 – Apr 18Apr 4 – Apr 11
SummervilleFeb 22 – Mar 1Mar 29 – Apr 12Mar 29 – Apr 5
SumterFeb 24 – Mar 3Mar 31 – Apr 14Mar 31 – Apr 7
Goose CreekFeb 7 – Feb 14Mar 14 – Mar 28Mar 14 – Mar 21
Hilton Head IslandFeb 3 – Feb 10Mar 10 – Mar 24Mar 10 – Mar 17
FlorenceFeb 19 – Feb 26Mar 26 – Apr 9Mar 26 – Apr 2
SpartanburgMar 11 – Mar 18Apr 15 – Apr 29Apr 15 – Apr 22
Hilton HeadFeb 3 – Feb 10Mar 10 – Mar 24Mar 10 – Mar 17
Myrtle BeachFeb 21 – Feb 28Mar 28 – Apr 11Mar 28 – Apr 4
AikenFeb 19 – Feb 26Mar 26 – Apr 9Mar 26 – Apr 2
GreerFeb 28 – Mar 7Apr 4 – Apr 18Apr 4 – Apr 11
AndersonFeb 23 – Mar 2Mar 30 – Apr 13Mar 30 – Apr 6
MauldinFeb 28 – Mar 7Apr 4 – Apr 18Apr 4 – Apr 11
GreenwoodFeb 26 – Mar 5Apr 2 – Apr 16Apr 2 – Apr 9
North AugustaJan 30 – Feb 6Mar 6 – Mar 20Mar 6 – Mar 13
TaylorsFeb 28 – Mar 7Apr 4 – Apr 18Apr 4 – Apr 11
Saint AndrewsFeb 16 – Feb 23Mar 23 – Apr 6Mar 23 – Mar 30
ConwayFeb 15 – Feb 22Mar 22 – Apr 5Mar 22 – Mar 29
EasleyMar 4 – Mar 11Apr 8 – Apr 22Apr 8 – Apr 15
SimpsonvilleMar 1 – Mar 8Apr 5 – Apr 19Apr 5 – Apr 12
Wade HamptonFeb 16 – Feb 23Mar 23 – Apr 6Mar 23 – Mar 30
LexingtonFeb 25 – Mar 4Apr 1 – Apr 15Apr 1 – Apr 8
SocasteeFeb 15 – Feb 22Mar 22 – Apr 5Mar 22 – Mar 29
HanahanFeb 7 – Feb 14Mar 14 – Mar 28Mar 14 – Mar 21
BlufftonFeb 3 – Feb 10Mar 10 – Mar 24Mar 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 winter squash in South Carolina?

In a typical South Carolina location, start seeds indoors Feb 22 – Mar 1, then sow outdoors Mar 29 – Apr 12, 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 winter squash take to grow?

Winter Squash typically take 80–110 days from planting to harvest. Long season; direct sow after soil warms, or start indoors 3-4 weeks before last frost in short-season climates.

Other Crops in South Carolina

When to plant winter squash in other states

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