Winter Planting in Myrtle Beach, SC: Zone 8 Climate Education

Winter Planting Zone 8 Growing Conditions

The United States Department of Agriculture has separated the United States map into 13 different growing zones. These zones are based on average annual minimum winter temperatures, and their purpose is to help gardeners and farmers across the nation to identify which plants can survive winter in specific areas. Here, In Myrtle Beach, SC, we live in zone 8, which is considered one of the warmer regions of the country. The average minimum winter temperatures of zone 8 range from 10°F to 20°F. Overall, zone 8 is known for experiencing relatively mild winters with occasional frosts, and temperatures relatively rarely drop far below freezing. This means that gardeners and farmers in zone 8 are able to enjoy a long growing season, allowing for a wide variety of plants, including many annuals, perennials, trees, and shrubs.

The mild temperatures of zone 8 also allows seeds to be planted early in the season and cool weather crops can tolerate light frosts. Zone 8’s mild winters and warm growing seasons provide the most ideal conditions for a vibrant garden year-round.

Why Plant a Winter Garden?

Not only is winter gardening possible in our zone 8 climate, it can also have some unique benefits that are not possible under spring time growing conditions. Here are some of those main benefits:

• The cooler winter temperatures in the Myrtle Beach area allows seedlings and transplants to ease into maturing 

• The increase in rainfall creates less of a need for manual watering in a winter garden

• There are fewer active harmful garden pests and diseases during the winter months 

• Weeds grow more slowly in the winter months

• Zone 8 winter crops are known for producing more flavorful harvests during the winter months 

What to Plant in the Winter Garden

In zone 8, planting can continue throughout the winter months to give new plants a chance to establish their roots before the spring season. Here are some plants that are particularly known to thrive when planted in the winter here, in the Myrtle Beach area: 

Cool Season vegetables and tender greens: 

• Broccoli 
• Cabbage 
• Carrots
• Cauliflower
• Collard greens 
• Kale
• Lettuce 
• Mustard 
• Onions
• Radishes 
• Spinach 
• Swiss chard 

Trees, shrubs, perennials: 

• Sasanqua camellia 
• Paperbush 
• Tea olive 
• Winter daphne
• Winter hazel
• Muhly grass 
• Switch grass 

Annual seeds to plant in the winter for spring blooms:

• Larkspur
• Hollyhock
• Sweet peas
• Cornflower 

Winter is also a great time to transplant perennials, groundcovers, trees, and shrubs. This also aids in root establishment before the new growth of the spring season emerges.