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

Planting zone for 29040 — Dalzell, SC

ZIP code 29040 (Dalzell, Sumter County) is in USDA zone 8b: the coldest winter night averages 15 to 20 °F. The median last spring frost is March 24 and the first fall frost November 7.

Where ZIP 29040 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 24
First frostNov 7
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 Dalzell, 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 Dalzell, SC

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMarch 24median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsApril 7only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostNovember 7median — 10% chance by Oct 28
Growing season230 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 13 and returns around November 21.

From the NOAA station Sumter, SC — 10 miles away, elevation 177 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 29040

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Feb 10 – Feb 24
SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 10 – Mar 3
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 13 – Jan 27
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 3 – Mar 17
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Feb 24 – Mar 10
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 3 – Mar 17
LettuceSow outdoors · Feb 24 – Mar 10
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 3 – Mar 17
TomatoesStart indoors · Jan 27 – Feb 10
TomatoesTransplant · Mar 31 – Apr 14
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 13 – Jan 27
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 7 – Apr 21
BeansSow outdoors · Mar 31 – Apr 14
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Mar 31 – Apr 14
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Mar 31 – Apr 14
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 12 – Sep 26
GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 24 – Nov 28
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Mar 24) and first fall frost (Nov 7) 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 29040 came on Feb 18 — 11 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 7).

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 Dalzell, SC

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 29040 is Vaucluse — loamy sand, well drained.

TextureLoamy sanddrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding
pH4.3strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter0.5%low — add compost
Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Vaucluse-Ailey-Lucy complex, 6 to 45 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 29040; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Dalzell, SC

Summer high90 °Faverage high, July
Winter low33 °Faverage low, January
Hot days58days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights56nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days5,189base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day14 h 26 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
Precipitation50.9 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 33 °F 55°33° JanFebruary: average high 59 °F, low 35 °F 59°35° FebMarch: average high 66 °F, low 41 °F 66°41° MarApril: average high 75 °F, low 50 °F 75°50° AprMay: average high 81 °F, low 58 °F 81°58° MayJune: average high 87 °F, low 66 °F 87°66° JunJuly: average high 90 °F, low 70 °F 90°70° JulAugust: average high 89 °F, low 68 °F 89°68° AugSeptember: average high 83 °F, low 63 °F 83°63° SepOctober: average high 74 °F, low 51 °F 74°51° OctNovember: average high 65 °F, low 40 °F 65°40° NovDecember: average high 57 °F, low 35 °F 57°35° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″2″4″6″January: 3.50 in precipitation 3.5 JanFebruary: 3.66 in precipitation 3.7 FebMarch: 3.66 in precipitation 3.7 MarApril: 4.41 in precipitation 4.4 AprMay: 4.05 in precipitation 4.0 MayJune: 5.29 in precipitation 5.3 JunJuly: 6.18 in precipitation 6.2 JulAugust: 5.25 in precipitation 5.3 AugSeptember: 4.50 in precipitation 4.5 SepOctober: 3.65 in precipitation 3.6 OctNovember: 2.88 in precipitation 2.9 NovDecember: 3.83 in precipitation 3.8 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Sumter, SC (10 mi away); precipitation: Sumter 0.3 Ene, SC (9 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 8b.

291288b
Rembert, SC · 6 mi
291528b
Shaw Afb, SC · 6 mi
291538b
Sumter, SC · 10 mi
290628b
Horatio, SC · 10 mi
291518b
Sumter, SC · 12 mi
291048b
Mayesville, SC · 14 mi
290108b
Bishopville, SC · 15 mi
291688b
Wedgefield, SC · 16 mi

South Carolina planting zones →

Questions about 29040

What planting zone is ZIP code 29040?

ZIP code 29040 (Dalzell, 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 Dalzell, SC?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 29040 is March 24; after April 7 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Sumter station.

When is the first frost in Dalzell, SC?

The median first fall frost near 29040 is November 7, giving a median frost-free growing season of 230 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 29040?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Jan 27 – Feb 10 and set transplants outside around Mar 31 – Apr 14, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 29040 get?

About 50.9 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Sumter 0.3 Ene station).

How hot do summers get in Dalzell, SC?

The average high peaks at 90 °F in July, with about 58 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 29040 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Vaucluse at the center of ZIP 29040: loamy sand, well drained, pH about 4.3 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Dalzell, SC in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 29040 came on Feb 18 in 2026, 11 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 7), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Dalzell, SC?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 29040 is 14 h 26 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 29040 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 29040 in zone 8a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 8b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.