When to Plant Vegetables in Columbia, SC

Cole crops (broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, lettuce, spinach): Direct seed around February 22 if ground is workable. For better results, start indoors around January 25 and transplant around March 15.

Onions, potatoes, and peas: Plant around February 4. If ground is frozen, plant immediately after thaw.

Tomatoes, peppers, and eggplants: Start indoors around January 25. Transplant around March 31 after last frost.

Warm-season crops (beans, corn, squash, pumpkins, cucumbers, melons, gourds, sunflowers): Direct seed around April 4 when soil temperature reaches 60°F.

Fall planting requires working backward from the first frost date (October 30) to ensure crops mature before winter. Check seed packets for "Days to Harvest" as timing varies by variety.

Tomatoes, peppers, and eggplants: Require approximately 100 days to harvest. Transplant by July 22.

Garlic: Plant around September 15 when soil temperature reaches 60°F at 4-inch depth. Separate cloves and plant 3-4 inches deep. Regional timing varies.

Cole crops (broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, lettuce, spinach): Direct seed around August 21. Due to summer heat, starting indoors around July 2 and transplanting around August 11 yields better results.

Peas: Direct sow around August 16.

Warm-season crops (beans, corn, squash, pumpkins, cucumbers, melons, gourds, sunflowers): Direct seed around July 17.