Frost-free Growing Season Begins Early March in Charleston, SC

Frost-free Growing Season Begins Early March in Charleston, SC

Charleston, a city known for its unique flora, kickstarts its frost-free growing season from early March, offering one of the state’s longest growing periods. This year, plants can roll out their new shoots starting from March 9.

Using the Old Farmer’s Almanac

The Old Farmer’s Almanac provides valuable information about Charleston’s gardening sphere. Plug in your location and the month, and the tool throws up customized gardening tips for the time. The planting calendar guides us on the right time to plant seeds or seedlings. These tools can be a great asset to amateur and professional gardeners for planning and landscaping.

Preparations for the Season

The early parts of the frost-free season requires timely pruning of trees and shrubs before they exit dormancy. Keeping an eye out for insects, especially aphids, is crucial too. Soapy spray on leaves can help control an aphid infestation.

Watering is essential for new plants, while bulbs like dahlia, canna, and gloriosa can be planted for their gorgeous blooms. Azaleas, camellias, and palms, if present, can be fertilized now. Warm-season annual flowers like asters and impatiens can also be planted.

Planting Fruits and Vegetables

March 9 in Charleston is ideal for directly planting crops like Beans, Corn, Cucumbers, Okra, and Watermelon. Starting from the same date to March 23, seedlings or transplants of Eggplants, Peppers, Honeydew melons, Tomatoes, and Sweet potatoes can be planted. Remember, plants’ survival heavily depends on the conditions they are planted in, such as wind, soil type, moisture, humidity, and sunshine.

Support from Local Nurseries

Charlestonians looking for gardening resources can find support from local nurseries such as Roots and Shoots, PlantHouse Charleston, and Brownswood Nursery. Here, you get access to a variety of plants, professional advice, and gardening tools, ensuring a healthy and lush garden.

Charleston Welcomes Spring

With the start of the frost-free growing period in Charleston, the city gears up to welcome spring. Locals and visitors can enjoy the vibrant blooms and fresh produce that enrich the city’s streets and markets. The work may be hard, but the fruits of one’s labor are certainly worth it.