South Carolina’s diverse landscape, stretching from the temperate Appalachian foothills to the subtropical Atlantic coastline, creates an extended and varied fruit-growing environment. The state benefits from a long growing season, which typically spans from the last frost in March or April until the first frost in October or November. This lengthy period allows for the cultivation of a wide spectrum of fruits, from early spring berries to late-season tree crops. The state’s varied geology, including the sandy soils of the Lowcountry and the slightly acidic clay of the Piedmont region, supports specific fruit varieties particularly well. This combination of favorable climate and soil diversity has cemented fruit production as a lasting part of South Carolina’s agricultural tradition.
South Carolina’s Signature Fruits
The commercial fruit industry in South Carolina is heavily defined by its massive production of peaches and watermelons, which form the backbone of its summer harvest. South Carolina is consistently ranked as the second-largest peach-producing state in the United States, surpassed only by California, and is the leading producer east of the Mississippi River. The main harvest period for these stone fruits extends from May into August, supplying fresh markets across the Eastern Seaboard.
The state’s peach quality is attributed to its distinct growing conditions, including hot, humid summer days, coupled with sufficient “chill hours” during the winter dormancy period. Much of the commercial acreage is concentrated in the “Ridge” region of the state. Here, the topography allows cooler air to drain into the valleys, protecting developing fruit buds from damaging spring frosts. This microclimate, combined with the slightly acidic soil, results in a particularly sweet and flavorful fruit.
Watermelons also constitute a significant commercial crop, with the harvest peaking during the mid-summer months of June and July. These large, vine-grown fruits thrive in the hot, sunny climate, particularly in the Coastal Plain and Sandhills regions. The warm temperatures and ample sunlight are ideal for developing the high sugar content.
Early Summer Berry Harvests
The earliest fruit crops to arrive in South Carolina are the small, soft berries that flourish in the mild spring and early summer weather. Strawberry season often begins as early as mid-April, sometimes extending into early June. These delicate fruits are primarily grown for the fresh market, and because their quality diminishes rapidly after picking, they are a popular U-pick item at local farms.
Following the strawberry harvest, blueberries and blackberries begin to ripen, creating a continuous supply of fresh berries through the early summer. Blueberries typically peak in June and July, though the harvest can stretch from May through August depending on the cultivar. These bush crops require highly acidic soil and thrive in the well-drained conditions found across much of the state.
Blackberries, many of which are native to the Southeastern United States, are also harvested during the June and July window. Cultivated varieties are often divided into floricane-fruiting types, which produce fruit on second-year canes, and primocane-fruiting types, which can produce a second, smaller crop later in the fall. This distinction allows some growers to extend the blackberry season past the main summer flush.
Late Season Tree and Vine Fruits
As the intense heat of mid-summer subsides, the state’s fruit production shifts to later-maturing varieties, extending the harvest into the fall. Muscadine grapes, a species native to the region, are a signature late-season crop, with a harvest that typically runs from August through October. These thick-skinned grapes are well-adapted to the hot, humid summers and are widely used for jams, jellies, and wine, prized for their unique, musky flavor.
Figs also provide a late-season yield, with the main crop maturing in late summer or early fall. This follows a smaller “breba” crop that can sometimes appear in early summer. These trees thrive in the warmer Lowcountry and Sandhills regions, where the mild winters prevent cold damage. Popular varieties like ‘Brown Turkey’ and ‘Celeste’ are cultivated for their sweet flesh.
Apples, while generally associated with cooler climates, are successfully grown in the mountainous Upstate region of South Carolina. Growers in these areas often select low-chill varieties that require fewer cold-weather hours to set fruit than those grown in northern states. The apple harvest begins in August and continues through November, concluding the state’s fresh fruit calendar.