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

Planting zone for 29033 — Cayce, SC

ZIP code 29033 (Cayce, Lexington County) is in USDA zone 8b: the coldest winter night averages 15 to 20 °F. The median last spring frost is March 16 and the first fall frost November 16.

Where ZIP 29033 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 16
First frostNov 16
2012 zone8a

Was 8a on the 2012 map — half a zone warmer now. 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 Cayce, 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 Cayce, SC

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMarch 16median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsApril 3only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostNovember 16median — 10% chance by Nov 2
Growing season245 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 1 and returns around December 2.

From the NOAA station Columbia Univ Of Sc, SC — 3 miles away, elevation 223 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 29033

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Feb 2 – Feb 16
SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 2 – Feb 23
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 5 – Jan 19
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Feb 23 – Mar 9
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Feb 16 – Mar 2
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Feb 23 – Mar 9
LettuceSow outdoors · Feb 16 – Mar 2
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Feb 23 – Mar 9
TomatoesStart indoors · Jan 19 – Feb 2
TomatoesTransplant · Mar 23 – Apr 6
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 5 – Jan 19
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Mar 30 – Apr 13
BeansSow outdoors · Mar 23 – Apr 6
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Mar 23 – Apr 6
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Mar 23 – Apr 6
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 21 – Oct 5
GarlicPlant cloves · Nov 2 – Dec 7
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Mar 16) and first fall frost (Nov 16) 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 29033 came on Feb 15 — 9 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 6).

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).

Soil in Cayce, SC

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 29033 is Barnwell — loamy sand, well drained.

TextureLoamy sanddrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding
pH5.5moderately acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter1.5%low — add compost
Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Dothan-Urban land complex, 0 to 6 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 29033; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Cayce, SC

Summer high96 °Faverage high, July
Winter low37 °Faverage low, January
Hot days108days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights33nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days6,450base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day14 h 25 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 53 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growIntermediateday-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully
Precipitation48.1 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

30°40°50°60°70°80°90°100°110°32 °FJanuary: average high 60 °F, low 37 °F 60°37° JanFebruary: average high 64 °F, low 40 °F 64°40° FebMarch: average high 72 °F, low 46 °F 72°46° MarApril: average high 81 °F, low 54 °F 81°54° AprMay: average high 87 °F, low 62 °F 87°62° MayJune: average high 93 °F, low 69 °F 93°69° JunJuly: average high 96 °F, low 72 °F 96°72° JulAugust: average high 94 °F, low 71 °F 94°71° AugSeptember: average high 89 °F, low 66 °F 89°66° SepOctober: average high 80 °F, low 54 °F 80°54° OctNovember: average high 69 °F, low 44 °F 69°44° NovDecember: average high 61 °F, low 39 °F 61°39° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″5″6″January: 3.84 in precipitation, 0.2 in snowfall 3.8 JanFebruary: 3.54 in precipitation 3.5 FebMarch: 4.11 in precipitation 4.1 MarApril: 2.92 in precipitation 2.9 AprMay: 3.63 in precipitation 3.6 MayJune: 5.41 in precipitation 5.4 JunJuly: 5.17 in precipitation 5.2 JulAugust: 5.01 in precipitation 5.0 AugSeptember: 4.25 in precipitation 4.3 SepOctober: 3.31 in precipitation 3.3 OctNovember: 3.04 in precipitation 3.0 NovDecember: 3.88 in precipitation 3.9 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Columbia Univ Of Sc, SC (3 mi away); precipitation: Columbia Univ Of Sc, SC (3 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 8b.

292018b
Columbia, SC · 3 mi
292258b
Columbia, SC · 3 mi
292028b
Columbia, SC · 3 mi
292118b
Columbia, SC · 3 mi
292148b
Columbia, SC · 3 mi
292168b
Columbia, SC · 3 mi
292178b
Columbia, SC · 3 mi
292188b
Columbia, SC · 3 mi

South Carolina planting zones →

Questions about 29033

What planting zone is ZIP code 29033?

ZIP code 29033 (Cayce, 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 Cayce, SC?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 29033 is March 16; after April 3 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Columbia Univ Of Sc station.

When is the first frost in Cayce, SC?

The median first fall frost near 29033 is November 16, giving a median frost-free growing season of 245 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 29033?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Jan 19 – Feb 2 and set transplants outside around Mar 23 – Apr 6, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 29033 get?

About 48.1 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Columbia Univ Of Sc station).

How hot do summers get in Cayce, SC?

The average high peaks at 96 °F in July, with about 108 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 29033 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Barnwell at the center of ZIP 29033: loamy sand, well drained, pH about 5.5 (moderately acidic).

Did spring come early in Cayce, SC in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 29033 came on Feb 15 in 2026, 9 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 6), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Cayce, SC?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 29033 is 14 h 25 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 29033 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 29033 in zone 8a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 8b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.