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

Planting zone for 29138 — Saluda, SC

ZIP code 29138 (Saluda, Saluda County) is in USDA zone 8a: the coldest winter night averages 10 to 15 °F. The median last spring frost is March 31 and the first fall frost November 4.

Where ZIP 29138 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 31

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 Saluda, 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 Saluda, SC

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMarch 31median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsApril 15only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostNovember 4median — 10% chance by Oct 21

Growing season218 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 17 and returns around November 16.

From the NOAA station Saluda, SC — 4 miles away, elevation 479 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 29138

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Feb 17 – Mar 3

SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 17 – Mar 10

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 20 – Feb 3

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 10 – Mar 24

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 3 – Mar 17

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 10 – Mar 24

LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 3 – Mar 17

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 10 – Mar 24

TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 3 – Feb 17

TomatoesTransplant · Apr 7 – Apr 21

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 20 – Feb 3

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 14 – Apr 28

BeansSow outdoors · Apr 7 – Apr 21

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 7 – Apr 21

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 7 – Apr 21

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 31) 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 29138 came on Feb 17 — 7 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 10).

average
Feb 102026
Feb 17

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 Saluda, SC.

Soil in Saluda, SC

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 29138 is Herndon — 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 matter0.75%low — add compost

Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately

Farmland classprime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Herndon silt loam, 2 to 6 percent slopes, eroded.

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 29138; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Saluda, SC

Summer high93 °Faverage high, July

Winter low32 °Faverage low, January

Hot days76days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights68nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days5,294base 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

Precipitation47.3 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: Saluda, SC (4 mi away); precipitation: Saluda 0.6 Nne, SC (2 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 8a.

291668a

Ward, SC · 11 mi

290378a

Chappells, SC · 11 mi

291458a

Silverstreet, SC · 12 mi

296668a

Ninety Six, SC · 13 mi

298328a

Johnston, SC · 14 mi

291278a

Prosperity, SC · 17 mi

298488a

Troy, SC · 17 mi

290068a

Batesburg, SC · 18 mi

South Carolina planting zones →

Questions about 29138

What planting zone is ZIP code 29138?

ZIP code 29138 (Saluda, 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 Saluda, SC?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 29138 is March 31; after April 15 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Saluda station.

When is the first frost in Saluda, SC?

The median first fall frost near 29138 is November 4, giving a median frost-free growing season of 218 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 29138?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 3 – Feb 17 and set transplants outside around Apr 7 – Apr 21, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 29138 get?

About 47.3 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Saluda 0.6 Nne station).

How hot do summers get in Saluda, SC?

The average high peaks at 93 °F in July, with about 76 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 29138 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Herndon at the center of ZIP 29138: silt loam, well drained, pH about 5.5 (moderately acidic).

Did spring come early in Saluda, SC in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 29138 came on Feb 17 in 2026, 7 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 10), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Saluda, SC?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 29138 is 14 h 25 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.