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Charleston, West Virginia · vegetable planting calendar

What to plant now in Charleston

This month's sowing list for Charleston, what is ready to pick, when to plant the favourites, the planting year at a glance and the local frost dates.

October

2 vegetables to sow or plant now

1 of them are at their best time to start. The last frost is usually around April 24, and frost is unlikely after about May 13.

Quick, easy wins this month: radish.

Sow or plant in Charleston in October

Start seeds indoors

Nothing this month.

Direct sow

  • Radish

Transplant

  • Garlic

Names with a dashed outline can be started now, but it is not their best time.

Last month to start: radish.

Ready to pick in October

  • Arugula
  • Beets
  • Bok choy
  • Broccoli
  • Brussels sprouts
  • Bush beans
  • Cabbage
  • Carrot
  • Cauliflower
  • Celery
  • Chives
  • Cilantro
  • Dill
  • Kale
  • Leek
  • Lettuce
  • Parsley
  • Pole beans
  • Potato
  • Radish
  • Rutabaga
  • Scallions
  • Spinach
  • Strawberry
  • Sweet corn
  • Swiss chard
  • Tomato
  • Turnip
  • Winter squash
  • Zucchini

Coming up in November

Nothing new starts in November. This month's list carries on.

When to plant the favourites in Charleston

Tomato

Tomatoes

Start seeds indoors: April to May.

Transplant: May to July.

Best time to start: May to June.

Pick: August to October.

First pick about 17 weeks after starting.

Potato

Potatoes

Plant: April to August.

Best time to start: April to May and July to August.

Pick: July to November.

First pick about 9 weeks after starting.

Garlic

Garlic

Plant: September to November.

Best time to start: September to November.

Pick: May to July.

First pick about 30 weeks after starting.

Lettuce

Lettuce

Direct sow: March to May and August to September.

Best time to start: March to May and August to September.

Pick: May to July and September to January.

First pick about 6 weeks after starting.

Carrot

Carrots

Direct sow: March to September.

Best time to start: March to May and July to August.

Pick: June to January.

First pick about 7 weeks after starting.

Bush beans

Bush beans

Direct sow: May to August.

Best time to start: May to July.

Pick: July to October.

First pick about 7 weeks after starting.

Onion

Onions

Start seeds indoors: January to March.

Transplant: March to May.

Best time to start: March to May.

Pick: July to August.

First pick about 20 weeks after starting.

Strawberry

Strawberries

Plant: March to May.

Best time to start: March to May.

Pick: July to November.

First pick about 14 weeks after starting.

Winter squash

Winter squash

Start seeds indoors: May to June.

Direct sow: May to June.

Transplant: May to July.

Best time to start: May to June.

Pick: August to October.

First pick about 14 weeks after starting.

Zucchini

Zucchini

Start seeds indoors: May to July.

Direct sow: May to August.

Transplant: May to August.

Best time to start: May to July.

Pick: July to October.

First pick about 7 weeks after starting.

The planting year in Charleston

VegetableONDJFMAMJJASFirst pick
ArugulaSSSSSSabout 4 weeks
BasilTSSSPabout 7 weeks
BeetsSSSSSSSabout 6 weeks
Bell pepperTTPPPabout 17 weeks
Bok choySSSSSSSabout 5 weeks
BroccoliTPPPTPPabout 13 weeks
Brussels sproutsTPPabout 19 weeks
Bush beansSSSSabout 7 weeks
CabbageTPPPPPPabout 13 weeks
CantaloupeSSPabout 10 weeks
CarrotSSSSSSSabout 7 weeks
CauliflowerTPabout 14 weeks
CeleriacTTPPabout 23 weeks
CeleryTTPPPPabout 20 weeks
ChivesTSSSSSSPabout 7 weeks
CilantroSSSSabout 6 weeks
CucumberSSSPabout 7 weeks
DillSSSSSSSabout 5 weeks
EggplantTTPPPabout 18 weeks
Fava beansSSSSabout 11 weeks
GarlicPPPabout 30 weeks
Hot pepperTTPPPabout 18 weeks
KaleTSSSSSSSabout 6 weeks
LeekTTPPPPPPabout 18 weeks
LettuceSSSSSabout 6 weeks
OkraSSabout 7 weeks
OnionTTPPPabout 20 weeks
ParsleyTSSSSSSSabout 7 weeks
ParsnipSabout 14 weeks
PeasSSSSSabout 9 weeks
Pole beansSSSabout 9 weeks
PotatoPPPPPabout 9 weeks
RadishSSSSSSSSabout 3 weeks
Runner beansSabout 9 weeks
RutabagaSSSSSSabout 10 weeks
ScallionsSSSSSSSabout 6 weeks
SpinachSSSSabout 7 weeks
StrawberryPPPabout 14 weeks
Sweet cornSSSabout 9 weeks
Sweet potatoPabout 13 weeks
Swiss chardSSSSSSSabout 6 weeks
TomatoTPPPabout 17 weeks
TurnipSSSSSabout 7 weeks
WatermelonTSPabout 11 weeks
Winter squashSSPabout 14 weeks
ZucchiniSSSSabout 7 weeks

The chart starts at October. "First pick" is the usual time from starting to the first harvest.

Choose a heat-tolerant variety of: fava beans and rutabaga.

Charleston season by season

Spring March to May

Time to start: arugula, basil, beets, bell pepper, bok choy, bush beans, cantaloupe, carrot, cilantro, cucumber, dill, eggplant, hot pepper, lettuce, parsnip, pole beans, potato, radish, rutabaga, scallions, strawberry, sweet corn, Swiss chard, tomato, turnip, watermelon, winter squash and zucchini.

Last chance for: broccoli, celeriac, cilantro, fava beans, lettuce, onion, parsnip, peas, spinach, strawberry and turnip.

Summer June to August

Time to start: arugula, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, lettuce, okra, runner beans, sweet potato and turnip.

Last chance for: arugula, basil, bell pepper, Brussels sprouts, bush beans, cabbage, cantaloupe, cauliflower, celery, cucumber, eggplant, hot pepper, leek, okra, pole beans, potato, runner beans, rutabaga, sweet corn, sweet potato, tomato, watermelon, winter squash and zucchini.

Fall September to November

Time to start: cilantro, garlic, peas and spinach.

Last chance for: arugula, beets, bok choy, broccoli, carrot, chives, cilantro, dill, garlic, kale, lettuce, parsley, peas, radish, scallions, spinach, Swiss chard and turnip.

Winter December to February

Time to start: broccoli, cabbage, celeriac, celery, chives, fava beans, kale, leek, onion, parsley, peas and spinach.

Last chance for: nothing closes.

Frost in Charleston

Last frost, most years
around April 24
Frost is unlikely after
about May 13
First frost, most years
around October 19
Frost-free days in a year
about 178

The end of frost is not planting time. Tender plants also need warm nights, which usually come two to four weeks later, and a week or two of hardening off first, so go by the months for each vegetable above. A low corner where cold air settles runs later. Tomatoes, peppers, beans, zucchini, winter squash and basil are the ones to hold back or cover.

Questions about planting in Charleston

What can I plant now in Charleston?

In October, 2 vegetables can be sown or planted in Charleston, including garlic and radish. The full list is at the top of this page and changes every month.

When should I plant tomatoes in Charleston?

In Charleston, sow tomatoes indoors from April to May and transplant them from May to July. The best time to start is from May to June. Picking runs from August to October.

When should I plant potatoes in Charleston?

In Charleston, plant potatoes from April to August. The best time to start is from April to May and from July to August. Picking runs from July to November.

When should I plant garlic in Charleston?

In Charleston, plant garlic from September to November. The best time to start is from September to November. Picking runs from May to July.

When is the last frost in Charleston?

In most years the last frost in Charleston comes around April 24. Frost is unlikely after about May 13, though tender vegetables go out later still, once nights are warm. The first frost of the cold season usually arrives around October 19.

Which vegetables are quickest to grow in Charleston?

The quick ones are radish (about 3 weeks), arugula (about 4 weeks), bok choy (about 5 weeks), beets (about 6 weeks), cilantro (about 6 weeks), lettuce (about 6 weeks), scallions (about 6 weeks) and Swiss chard (about 6 weeks). The time is from starting to the first pick.

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These dates are estimates for general guidance, based on the usual weather in Charleston. Seasons vary from year to year, so check the seed packet and local advice as well.
Temperatures: Source: Meteostat and its data providers (CC BY 4.0). Crop temperature ranges checked against FAO ECOCROP (CC BY 4.0).

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