What to plant in August in South Carolina
In South Carolina (SC), August is the heart of the growing season - about 20 weeks after the last frost (March 25) and 12 weeks before the first (November 5). The state averages 225 frost-free days a year (last frost March 25, first frost November 5; USDA zones 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a).
30 crops have a sowing or planting window this month, including rutabaga, broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, cucumber, fennel (bulb) - and 4 of those windows close during August.
Dates here come from South Carolina frost dates (last frost Mar 25, first frost Nov 5). For one crop in detail, see when to plant broccoli, cabbage or cauliflower in South Carolina.
South Carolina: planting activity through the year
Last chance in August
Rutabaga (sow for a fall crop, by Aug 6) · Broccoli (start transplants for fall, by Aug 13) · Cabbage (start transplants for fall, by Aug 13) · Cauliflower (start transplants for fall, by Aug 13)
For fall and winter harvests (29)
Sowings counted back from South Carolina's first fall frost, so the crop matures before the cold - or, for garlic and similar, planted after it.
| Crop | What to do | Window | This month |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rutabaga | Sow for a fall crop | Jul 20 – Aug 6 | Last chance - ends Aug 6 |
| Broccoli | Start transplants for fall | Jul 27 – Aug 13 | Last chance - ends Aug 13 |
| Cabbage | Start transplants for fall | Jul 27 – Aug 13 | Last chance - ends Aug 13 |
| Cauliflower | Start transplants for fall | Jul 27 – Aug 13 | Last chance - ends Aug 13 |
| Cucumber | Sow for a fall crop | Aug 3 – Aug 20 | Aug 3 – Aug 20 |
| Fennel (Bulb) | Sow for a fall crop | Aug 3 – Aug 20 | Aug 3 – Aug 20 |
| Zucchini / Summer Squash | Sow for a fall crop | Aug 3 – Aug 20 | Aug 3 – Aug 20 |
| Bush Bean | Sow for a fall crop | Aug 10 – Aug 27 | Aug 10 – Aug 27 |
| Carrot | Sow for a fall crop | Aug 10 – Aug 27 | Aug 10 – Aug 27 |
| Kale | Sow for a fall crop | Aug 10 – Aug 27 | Aug 10 – Aug 27 |
| Radicchio | Sow for a fall crop | Aug 10 – Aug 27 | Aug 10 – Aug 27 |
| Collard Greens | Sow for a fall crop | Aug 17 – Sep 3 | Opens Aug 17 |
| Endive & Escarole | Sow for a fall crop | Aug 17 – Sep 3 | Opens Aug 17 |
| Napa Cabbage | Sow for a fall crop | Aug 17 – Sep 3 | Opens Aug 17 |
| Parsley | Sow for a fall crop | Aug 17 – Sep 3 | Opens Aug 17 |
| Pea | Sow for a fall crop | Aug 17 – Sep 3 | Opens Aug 17 |
| Swiss Chard | Sow for a fall crop | Aug 17 – Sep 3 | Opens Aug 17 |
| Beet | Sow for a fall crop | Aug 24 – Sep 10 | Opens Aug 24 |
| Cilantro / Coriander | Sow for a fall crop | Aug 24 – Sep 10 | Opens Aug 24 |
| Bok Choy / Pak Choi | Sow for a fall crop | Aug 31 – Sep 17 | Opens Aug 31 |
| Borage | Sow for a fall crop | Aug 31 – Sep 17 | Opens Aug 31 |
| Dill | Sow for a fall crop | Aug 31 – Sep 17 | Opens Aug 31 |
| Fava Bean (Broad Bean) | Sow for a fall crop | Aug 31 – Sep 17 | Opens Aug 31 |
| Green Onion / Scallion | Sow for a fall crop | Aug 31 – Sep 17 | Opens Aug 31 |
| Kohlrabi | Sow for a fall crop | Aug 31 – Sep 17 | Opens Aug 31 |
| Lettuce | Sow for a fall crop | Aug 31 – Sep 17 | Opens Aug 31 |
| Mache (Corn Salad) | Sow for a fall crop | Aug 31 – Sep 17 | Opens Aug 31 |
| Mizuna | Sow for a fall crop | Aug 31 – Sep 17 | Opens Aug 31 |
| Rapini (Broccoli Raab) | Sow for a fall crop | Aug 31 – Sep 17 | Opens Aug 31 |
Keep sowing (succession)
Repeat sowings of crops already in the ground, for a steady harvest instead of a glut.
- Cucumber: sow again on Aug 12
- Zucchini / Summer Squash: sow again on Aug 19
- Basil: sow again on Aug 12
Harvesting in August
First harvests expected this month from crops sown or planted on time earlier in the season.
Planting dates for popular crops in South Carolina
Every crop has its own full-year dates for South Carolina: indoor start, transplant or direct sowing, and harvest.
Peak growing season: August garden jobs in South Carolina
- Water deeply two or three times a week rather than a little every day - about an inch a week, more in heat. See watering a vegetable garden.
- 12 weeks until the average first frost (November 5). Fall crops start now: rutabaga, broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower. See the fall and winter garden guide.
- Check the undersides of leaves twice a week - catching pests early is most of the battle (pest identification guide).
- Harvest often: leek, salsify, celery, luffa (loofah gourd) should be coming in. Picking regularly keeps beans, squash and cucumbers producing.
USDA zone chart for South Carolina
South Carolina spans USDA zones 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a. Colder zones, usually higher or further inland, have a later last spring frost and an earlier first fall frost than the state average.
Questions gardeners ask
What vegetables can I plant in South Carolina in August?
30 crops have a window in August: rutabaga, broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, cucumber, fennel (bulb), zucchini / summer squash, bush bean, carrot, kale and more. The tables above give the exact dates for each.
Is it too late to plant garlic in South Carolina in August?
Not too late - it's actually a little early. In South Carolina the next garlic window opens around November 16: plant in fall, after first frost.
Is it too late to plant tomatoes in South Carolina in August?
For this year, yes - the tomato windows in South Carolina have closed. The next step is to start seeds indoors from about January 28.
When is the first frost in South Carolina?
The statewide average first fall frost is around November 5 and the last spring frost around March 25. Your town can be a week or two either side - look yours up by ZIP code.
What can I harvest in South Carolina in August?
From plantings made on time: leek, salsify, celery, luffa (loofah gourd), peanut, sweet potato, chayote.
What to plant in August in other states
Dates are computed from South Carolina’s statewide average frost dates (from NOAA/NCEI climate normals) and each crop’s timing in our crop database. Your garden may be a week or two either side - for dates tuned to your ZIP code, use the planting calendar.