South Carolina · zones 8a–9a
When to plant kale in South Carolina.
Sow or transplant between Feb 17 to Mar 17 in a typical year, keyed to South Carolina's median last frost around Mar 27. A second, fall sowing fits Aug 2 to Sep 17. Dates below are state medians; your ZIP code shifts them by days to weeks.
The 2026 windows
Kale dates for a typical South Carolina season.
1 · Start indoors
Jan 6 to Feb 3
About 6 weeks before set-out. Warm spot, real light.
2 · Set out
Feb 17 to Mar 17
Keyed to the ~Mar 27 last frost. Sow 0.25" deep, 16" apart.
Fall round
Aug 2 to Sep 17
Counted back from the ~Nov 2 first frost.
Harvest
~45 days later
~2 lb per plant over ~16 weeks.
South Carolina spans more than one climate: Zone 8 is the most common zone, but the state runs 8a to 9a. That's why the planner works from your ZIP code's frost dates, not your zone — mountain and coastal gardens in the same state can be three weeks apart.