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

Planting zone for 29036 — Chapin, SC

ZIP code 29036 (Chapin, Lexington 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 11.

Where ZIP 29036 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 11
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 Chapin, 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 Chapin, 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 7only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostNovember 11median — 10% chance by Oct 29
Growing season234 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 10 and returns around November 26.

From the NOAA station Little Mtn, SC — 6 miles away, elevation 712 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 29036

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 16 – Sep 30
GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 28 – Dec 2
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Mar 22) and first fall frost (Nov 11) 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 29036 came on Feb 17 — 8 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 9).

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 Chapin, SC

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 29036 is Enon — silt loam, well drained.

TextureSilt loama good balance for most vegetables
pH5.5moderately acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter1.5%low — add compost
Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly
Farmland classFarmland of statewide importanceUSDA classification

Map unit: Enon silt loam, 2 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 29036; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Chapin, SC

Summer high91 °Faverage high, July
Winter low35 °Faverage low, January
Hot days48days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights43nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days5,542base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day14 h 26 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 52 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growIntermediateday-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully
Precipitation46.6 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°100°32 °FJanuary: average high 55 °F, low 35 °F 55°35° JanFebruary: average high 59 °F, low 38 °F 59°38° FebMarch: average high 66 °F, low 44 °F 66°44° MarApril: average high 75 °F, low 52 °F 75°52° AprMay: average high 82 °F, low 61 °F 82°61° MayJune: average high 88 °F, low 68 °F 88°68° JunJuly: average high 91 °F, low 71 °F 91°71° JulAugust: average high 89 °F, low 70 °F 89°70° AugSeptember: average high 84 °F, low 64 °F 84°64° SepOctober: average high 75 °F, low 53 °F 75°53° OctNovember: average high 64 °F, low 43 °F 64°43° NovDecember: average high 57 °F, low 38 °F 57°38° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″5″6″January: 3.91 in precipitation 3.9 JanFebruary: 3.54 in precipitation 3.5 FebMarch: 5.06 in precipitation 5.1 MarApril: 2.90 in precipitation 2.9 AprMay: 3.23 in precipitation 3.2 MayJune: 3.85 in precipitation 3.9 JunJuly: 4.45 in precipitation 4.5 JulAugust: 4.97 in precipitation 5.0 AugSeptember: 3.92 in precipitation 3.9 SepOctober: 3.73 in precipitation 3.7 OctNovember: 3.12 in precipitation 3.1 NovDecember: 3.88 in precipitation 3.9 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Little Mtn, SC (6 mi away); precipitation: Chapin 5.0 Ese, SC (4 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

3 of the 8 nearest ZIP codes are in a different zone — elevation and distance from water change winter lows quickly.

291778b
White Rock, SC · 4 mi
290758a
Little Mountain, SC · 5 mi
290028b
Ballentine, SC · 6 mi
291228a
Peak, SC · 7 mi
290638b
Irmo, SC · 8 mi
292128b
Columbia, SC · 9 mi
291278a
Prosperity, SC · 10 mi
290728b
Lexington, SC · 10 mi

South Carolina planting zones →

Questions about 29036

What planting zone is ZIP code 29036?

ZIP code 29036 (Chapin, 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 Chapin, SC?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 29036 is March 22; after April 7 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Little Mtn station.

When is the first frost in Chapin, SC?

The median first fall frost near 29036 is November 11, giving a median frost-free growing season of 234 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 29036?

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 29036 get?

About 46.6 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Chapin 5.0 Ese station).

How hot do summers get in Chapin, SC?

The average high peaks at 91 °F in July, with about 48 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 29036 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Enon at the center of ZIP 29036: silt loam, well drained, pH about 5.5 (moderately acidic).

Did spring come early in Chapin, SC in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 29036 came on Feb 17 in 2026, 8 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 9), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Chapin, SC?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 29036 is 14 h 26 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 29036 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 29036 in zone 8a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 8b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.