Agriculture in South Carolina
ZIP codes in our South Carolina data
USDA hardiness zones present
Agriculture and forestry together form one of South Carolina's largest economic sectors, supporting tens of thousands of farms across the state. From poultry houses in the Piedmont to row crops on the coastal plain and peach orchards in the Ridge region, farming shapes both the rural economy and the food that reaches local growers and gardeners. The state's warm climate and long season make it productive ground for a wide range of commodities.
Farming in South Carolina
Poultry, especially broiler chickens and turkeys, ranks among the state's leading agricultural products by value, alongside cattle and calves. Major field crops include soybeans, corn, cotton, peanuts, wheat, and tobacco, most of them grown across the flat, sandy soils of the coastal plain. South Carolina is also a well-known peach state and one of the larger peach producers in the country, and it grows significant amounts of watermelons, tomatoes, sweet potatoes, leafy greens, and other fruits and vegetables. Forestry is a large part of the rural land base as well, with extensive pine timber and pulpwood production complementing traditional farming.
Climate and growing conditions
South Carolina has a humid subtropical climate with hot, humid summers and generally mild winters, giving most of the state a long growing season that often runs well over 200 days and stretches even longer near the coast. Rainfall is generally plentiful and spread through the year, though summer dry spells and occasional tropical systems can affect crops. USDA hardiness zones range from about 7a in the upstate and Blue Ridge foothills to roughly 9a along the warmer southern coast, so gardeners should check the zone for their specific area.
Major agricultural products
- Broiler chickens
- Turkeys
- Cattle and calves
- Soybeans
- Corn
- Cotton
- Peanuts
- Peaches
Hardiness zones in South Carolina
Growers in South Carolina fall across these USDA plant hardiness zones (by number of ZIP codes in our data):
Local weather & frost dates in South Carolina
Open any location for its live forecast, frost dates, and planting calendar:
Counties in South Carolina
Browse local growing conditions, hardiness zones, and weather by county (46 counties):
Market prices & data for South Carolina
State overviews combine hardiness-zone data from our ZIP database with public USDA market reports and NOAA climate normals. For farm-level decisions, consult your state's Cooperative Extension service. Page updated Aug 4, 2026.