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

Planting zone for 29123 — Pelion, SC

ZIP code 29123 (Pelion, Lexington County) is in USDA zone 8a: the coldest winter night averages 10 to 15 °F. The median last spring frost is March 28 and the first fall frost November 4.

Where ZIP 29123 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.

Zone8a10 to 15 °F

Coldest night−12.2 to −9.4 °C

Last frostMar 28

First frostNov 4

2012 zone8a

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 8a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Pelion, 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 Pelion, SC

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMarch 28median — 50% chance of a later frost

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

First fall frostNovember 4median — 10% chance by Oct 23

Growing season221 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 17 and returns around November 14.

From the NOAA station Pelion 0.8 Nw, SC — within 1 mile, elevation 453 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 29123

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Feb 14 – Feb 28

SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 14 – Mar 7

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 17 – Jan 31

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 7 – Mar 21

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Feb 28 – Mar 14

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 7 – Mar 21

LettuceSow outdoors · Feb 28 – Mar 14

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 7 – Mar 21

TomatoesStart indoors · Jan 31 – Feb 14

TomatoesTransplant · Apr 4 – Apr 18

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 17 – Jan 31

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 11 – Apr 25

BeansSow outdoors · Apr 4 – Apr 18

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 4 – Apr 18

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 4 – Apr 18

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 9 – Sep 23

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 21 – Nov 25

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Mar 28) and first fall frost (Nov 4) 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 29123 came on Feb 15 — 9 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 6).

average
Feb 62026
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 8a in South Carolina

550 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in South Carolina, and rated by the USDA to survive 10 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 8a. 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 Pelion, SC.

Soil in Pelion, SC

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 29123 is Johnston — mucky loam, very poorly drained.

TextureMucky loama good balance for most vegetables

pH5.5moderately acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageVery poorly drainedconsider raised beds

Organic matter10%high

Hydrologic groupA/Ddrains fast once dried out; wet otherwise

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Johnston soils.

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 29123; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Pelion, SC

Summer high93 °Faverage high, July

Winter low34 °Faverage low, January

Hot days68days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights62nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days5,986base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 24 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 54 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation52 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: Pelion 0.8 Nw, SC (within 1 mile); precipitation: Pelion 0.8 Nw, SC (within 1 mile). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

West Columbia, SC · 12 mi

South Carolina planting zones →

Questions about 29123

What planting zone is ZIP code 29123?

ZIP code 29123 (Pelion, SC) is in USDA hardiness zone 8a on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches 10 to 15 °F (−12.2 to −9.4 °C).

When is the last frost in Pelion, SC?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 29123 is March 28; after April 10 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Pelion 0.8 Nw station.

When is the first frost in Pelion, SC?

The median first fall frost near 29123 is November 4, giving a median frost-free growing season of 221 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 29123?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Jan 31 – Feb 14 and set transplants outside around Apr 4 – Apr 18, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 29123 get?

About 52 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Pelion 0.8 Nw station).

How hot do summers get in Pelion, SC?

The average high peaks at 93 °F in July, with about 68 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 29123 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Johnston at the center of ZIP 29123: mucky loam, very poorly drained, pH about 5.5 (moderately acidic).

Did spring come early in Pelion, SC in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 29123 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 Pelion, SC?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 29123 is 14 h 24 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.