South Carolina summers can get hot, sticky, and downright humid, but that doesn’t mean your garden has to suffer.
Some crops actually thrive in this steamy weather, turning the challenge into a chance for a bountiful harvest. I’ve tried a few myself, and it’s amazing to see them flourish while other plants wilt.
Let’s check out 15 crops that handle the heat and humidity like pros…
1. Okra
Originally from Africa, this veggie practically celebrates when thermometers climb past 90°F. South Carolina gardeners love how okra keeps producing even during August’s brutal heat waves.
The pretty hibiscus-like flowers appear before transforming into the familiar pods we harvest. Pick them young (2-3 inches) for tender eating, or let them grow for a more substantial addition to your gumbo.
2. Sweet Potatoes
Underground treasures develop while vines spread across your garden bed. South Carolina’s sandy soils and long growing season create perfect conditions for developing those orange-fleshed beauties.
Plant slips after the last frost and harvest when vines yellow in fall. The longer they grow in our warm climate, the sweeter and more nutritious they become – a true Southern garden staple.
3. Field Peas
These Southern classics – including black-eyed peas, crowder peas, and cream peas – actually fix nitrogen while thriving in heat. Many South Carolina families have passed down favorite varieties through generations.
The more the mercury rises, the happier these plants seem to grow. Their drought tolerance makes them especially valuable during those inevitable dry spells that hit the Palmetto State each summer.
4. Eggplant
When other crops wilt, eggplants stand tall in South Carolina gardens. Their glossy purple fruits continue developing even when temperatures soar into triple digits.
Originating in tropical Asia, these nightshades were practically designed for our humid conditions. Provide consistent moisture and watch them produce from early summer until fall frost – much longer than northern gardens can manage.
5. Hot Peppers
Fiery fruits seem to get even spicier when grown in intense heat. South Carolina’s climate mimics their native tropical regions, encouraging prolific production throughout summer.
Varieties like cayenne, jalapeño, and habanero thrive when other vegetables struggle. The hotter and more humid your garden gets, the more these plants seem to flourish – almost as if they’re trying to match the weather with their heat.
6. Malabar Spinach
Not actually spinach but a heat-loving vine with similar-tasting leaves. When true spinach bolts in South Carolina’s early summer heat, this beautiful climber is just getting started.
The glossy leaves remain tender even in August’s steamiest days. Its red stems and blue berries add ornamental value while providing continuous harvests of nutritious greens when most leafy vegetables have long since surrendered.
7. Amaranth
This ancient grain doubles as both nutritious greens and protein-rich seeds. The spectacular burgundy plumes add drama to South Carolina gardens while shrugging off the worst summer conditions.
Young leaves taste similar to spinach but won’t bolt in heat. Some varieties grow over six feet tall, creating dramatic vertical interest while producing enough grain to supplement your pantry through winter.
8. Cowpeas
These heat-loving legumes have sustained Southern families for generations. Their ability to improve soil while producing protein-rich beans makes them invaluable in South Carolina’s garden rotation systems.
Plant them as temperatures climb and watch them thrive when other crops struggle. Their natural drought resistance means they’ll keep producing even during those inevitable dry spells that hit the Palmetto State in late summer.
9. Roselle
This hibiscus relative produces tart red calyces perfect for making Southern-style summer drinks. The striking plants become conversation pieces in South Carolina gardens with their red stems and yellow flowers.
Harvest the fleshy calyces for making vibrant red tea, jam, or sauce. The plant’s tropical heritage makes it perfectly suited to handle our humidity while continuing to produce until the first frost arrives.
10. Watermelon
Nothing says summer in South Carolina quite like homegrown watermelon. These sprawling vines need space but reward gardeners with the sweetest fruits when grown in our hot, humid conditions.
The Charleston Gray variety was actually developed here! Give melons consistent moisture as fruits develop, then reduce watering slightly before harvest to concentrate sweetness – a trick many Palmetto State gardeners swear by.
11. Southern Peas
These versatile legumes – including crowders, black-eyed, and cream peas – practically define Southern summer gardens. Their nitrogen-fixing abilities actually improve South Carolina’s often sandy soils while producing abundantly.
The plants form attractive bushes covered with delicate flowers before setting pods. Harvest young for snap peas or let them mature for shelling – either way, they’ll keep producing through the hottest weeks of summer.
12. Collard Greens
While most greens bolt in heat, collards stand strong through South Carolina summers. Their waxy leaves resist both drought and pests while continuing to provide nutritious harvests even in August.
Plant in spring for continuous picking throughout summer. The flavor actually improves after light frosts in fall, making them a two-season crop that bridges the gap between summer’s bounty and winter’s more limited offerings.
13. Yard-Long Beans
These Asian relatives of Southern cowpeas produce fascinating pods that can indeed reach impressive lengths. Their vigorous vines climb trellises while shrugging off South Carolina’s humidity and heat.
Unlike regular green beans that struggle in summer, these keep producing consistently. The tender pods have a distinct flavor somewhere between green beans and asparagus – perfect for stir-fries during the hottest months.
14. Seminole Pumpkin
Native Americans cultivated these heat-loving squash long before Europeans arrived in South Carolina. Their vines sprawl enthusiastically while producing sweet, softball-sized fruits perfect for pies and roasting.
Incredibly disease-resistant and drought-tolerant, they continue setting fruit when other squash varieties succumb to summer pressures. The hard shells allow for months of storage, providing homegrown flavor well into winter from summer’s bounty.
15. Sweet Sorghum
This towering grass produces sweet juice perfect for making traditional Southern sorghum syrup. Growing up to 12 feet tall, it creates a dramatic backdrop in South Carolina gardens while thriving in conditions that wilt other crops.
Besides syrup production, the seed heads provide nutritious grain. The stalks’ sugar content increases as they mature through our long growing season, making harvest timing crucial for maximum sweetness.