Data: 2023 USDA zones (PRISM/OSU) · NOAA 1991–2020 normals · updated Oct 29, 2026

Planting zone for 29018 — Bowman, SC

ZIP code 29018 (Bowman, Orangeburg County) is in USDA zone 8b: the coldest winter night averages 15 to 20 °F. The median last spring frost is March 22 and the first fall frost November 12.

Where ZIP 29018 is

Outlined: the ZIP code area · tap the map for the zone at any spot · scroll or pinch to zoom

Not the official USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map. Zones come from the 2023 USDA hardiness-zone data by the PRISM Group, Oregon State University; we re-mapped and recolored them. The official map is at planthardiness.ars.usda.gov.

Zone8b15 to 20 °F

Coldest night−9.4 to −6.7 °C

Last frostMar 22

First frostNov 12

2012 zone8b

Same zone as on the 2012 map. The zone is the one at the center of the ZIP code; hilly ZIPs can span two zones. What zone 8b means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Bowman, SC…

Forecast data: National Weather Service (api.weather.gov), public domain. This is not a warning service — for official frost and freeze warnings see weather.gov.

Frost dates in Bowman, SC

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free

Last spring frostMarch 22median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsApril 6only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostNovember 12median — 10% chance by Oct 31

Growing season237 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 6 and returns around November 26.

From the NOAA station Holly Hill 1 Sw, SC — 13 miles away, elevation 95 ft. NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, 32 °F threshold. Low spots and valleys can freeze later in spring than the station.

When to plant vegetables in 29018

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Feb 8 – Feb 22

SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 8 – Mar 1

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 11 – Jan 25

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 1 – Mar 15

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Feb 22 – Mar 8

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 1 – Mar 15

LettuceSow outdoors · Feb 22 – Mar 8

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 1 – Mar 15

TomatoesStart indoors · Jan 25 – Feb 8

TomatoesTransplant · Mar 29 – Apr 12

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 11 – Jan 25

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 5 – Apr 19

BeansSow outdoors · Mar 29 – Apr 12

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Mar 29 – Apr 12

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Mar 29 – Apr 12

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 17 – Oct 1

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 29 – Dec 3

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Mar 22) and first fall frost (Nov 12) with the rules of thumb U.S. extension services publish. Cool-season crops take a light frost; warm-season crops do best once the soil is above about 60 °F.

When spring arrived in 2026

In 2026, spring leaf-out near 29018 came on Feb 14 — 11 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 3).

average
Feb 32026
Feb 14

JanFebMarAprMayJun

The Spring Index marks the day when accumulated warmth is enough for lilac and honeysuckle to leaf out — a widely used signal that the growing season has started. Source: USA National Phenology Network, www.usanpn.org — Spring Indices, first leaf, 2026 (data as of 2026-09-08) and 30-year average 1991–2020 (CC BY 4.0).

Native plants for zone 8b in South Carolina

566 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in South Carolina, and rated by the USDA to survive 15 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 8b. Each links to its USDA PLANTS profile.

Source: USDA, NRCS. 2026. The PLANTS Database (plants.usda.gov), National Plant Data Team — state distribution, native status and the “Temperature, Minimum” characteristic. Check light, moisture and soil needs before buying; local nurseries and your state native plant society can confirm what thrives in Bowman, SC.

Soil in Bowman, SC

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 29018 is Lynchburg — fine sandy loam, somewhat poorly drained.

TextureFine sandy loamdrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding

pH4.0strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageSomewhat poorly drainedconsider raised beds

Organic matter2.75%moderate

Hydrologic groupB/Dmoderate when drained; wet otherwise

Farmland classPrime farmland if drainedUSDA classification

Map unit: Lynchburg fine sandy loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes.

Soil Survey Staff, Natural Resources Conservation Service, USDA. Soil Survey Geographic (SSURGO) Database, via Soil Data Access, accessed 2026-10-29. The soil at the center point of ZIP 29018; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Bowman, SC

Summer high91 °Faverage high, July

Winter low35 °Faverage low, January

Hot days78days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights47nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days5,628base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 22 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 56 mindaylight on December 21

Onions to growIntermediateday-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully

Precipitation51.4 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

Precipitation by month inches

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Holly Hill 1 Sw, SC (13 mi away); precipitation: Reevesville 1.0 Sse, SC (11 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 8b.

291338b

Rowesville, SC · 9 mi

291428b

Santee, SC · 10 mi

294718b

Reevesville, SC · 11 mi

291638b

Vance, SC · 12 mi

294488b

Harleyville, SC · 13 mi

290598b

Holly Hill, SC · 13 mi

294328b

Branchville, SC · 13 mi

290478b

Elloree, SC · 13 mi

South Carolina planting zones →

Questions about 29018

What planting zone is ZIP code 29018?

ZIP code 29018 (Bowman, SC) is in USDA hardiness zone 8b on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches 15 to 20 °F (−9.4 to −6.7 °C).

When is the last frost in Bowman, SC?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 29018 is March 22; after April 6 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Holly Hill 1 Sw station.

When is the first frost in Bowman, SC?

The median first fall frost near 29018 is November 12, giving a median frost-free growing season of 237 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 29018?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Jan 25 – Feb 8 and set transplants outside around Mar 29 – Apr 12, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 29018 get?

About 51.4 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Reevesville 1.0 Sse station).

How hot do summers get in Bowman, SC?

The average high peaks at 91 °F in July, with about 78 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 29018 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Lynchburg at the center of ZIP 29018: fine sandy loam, somewhat poorly drained, pH about 4.0 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Bowman, SC in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 29018 came on Feb 14 in 2026, 11 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 3), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Bowman, SC?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 29018 is 14 h 22 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.