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

Planting zone for 29071 — Lexington, SC

ZIP code 29071 (Lexington, Lexington County) is in USDA zone 8b: the coldest winter night averages 15 to 20 °F. The median last spring frost is March 25 and the first fall frost November 7.

Where ZIP 29071 is

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 25

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 Lexington, 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 Lexington, SC

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMarch 25median — 50% chance of a later frost

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

First fall frostNovember 7median — 10% chance by Oct 26

Growing season229 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 10 and returns around November 22.

From the NOAA station Columbia, SC — 7 miles away, elevation 230 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 29071

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Feb 11 – Feb 25

SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 11 – Mar 4

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 14 – Jan 28

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 4 – Mar 18

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Feb 25 – Mar 11

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 4 – Mar 18

LettuceSow outdoors · Feb 25 – Mar 11

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 4 – Mar 18

TomatoesStart indoors · Jan 28 – Feb 11

TomatoesTransplant · Apr 1 – Apr 15

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 14 – Jan 28

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 8 – Apr 22

BeansSow outdoors · Apr 1 – Apr 15

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 1 – Apr 15

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 1 – Apr 15

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 25) 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 29071 came on Feb 15 — 7 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 8).

average
Feb 82026
Feb 15

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 Lexington, SC.

Soil in Lexington, SC

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 29071 is Troup — sand, somewhat excessively drained. Much of the area is built over (urban land); this is the natural soil underneath.

TextureSanddrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding

pH4.7strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageSomewhat excessively drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter1.5%low — add compost

Hydrologic groupAwater soaks in fast

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Troup-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 29071; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Lexington, SC

Summer high93 °Faverage high, July

Winter low35 °Faverage low, January

Hot days81days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights47nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days5,815base 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

Precipitation50.2 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: Columbia, SC (7 mi away); precipitation: Lexington 1.6 Wnw, SC (2 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 8b.

290728b

Lexington, SC · 2 mi

291718b

West Columbia, SC · 4 mi

292288b

Columbia, SC · 4 mi

291708b

West Columbia, SC · 6 mi

West Columbia, SC · 8 mi

292108b

Columbia, SC · 8 mi

All 3 ZIP codes in Lexington → · South Carolina planting zones →

Questions about 29071

What planting zone is ZIP code 29071?

ZIP code 29071 (Lexington, 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 Lexington, SC?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 29071 is March 25; after April 10 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Columbia station.

When is the first frost in Lexington, SC?

The median first fall frost near 29071 is November 7, giving a median frost-free growing season of 229 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 29071?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Jan 28 – Feb 11 and set transplants outside around Apr 1 – Apr 15, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 29071 get?

About 50.2 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Lexington 1.6 Wnw station).

How hot do summers get in Lexington, SC?

The average high peaks at 93 °F in July, with about 81 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 29071 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Troup at the center of ZIP 29071: sand, somewhat excessively drained, pH about 4.7 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Lexington, SC in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 29071 came on Feb 15 in 2026, 7 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 8), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Lexington, SC?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 29071 is 14 h 25 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 29071 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 29071 in zone 8a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 8b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.