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

Planting zone for 29143 — Sardinia, SC

ZIP code 29143 (Sardinia, Clarendon 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 11.

Where ZIP 29143 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 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 Sardinia, 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 Sardinia, 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 11only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostNovember 11median — 10% chance by Oct 30
Growing season232 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 9 and returns around November 24.

From the NOAA station Manning, SC — 11 miles away, elevation 85 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 29143

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 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 25) 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 29143 came on Feb 18 — 12 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 6).

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 Sardinia, SC

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 29143 is Lynchburg — loamy sand, somewhat poorly drained.

TextureLoamy sanddrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding
pH5.8moderately acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageSomewhat poorly drainedconsider raised beds
Organic matter2.75%moderate
Hydrologic groupB/Dmoderate when drained; wet otherwise
Farmland classPrime farmland if drainedUSDA classification

Map unit: Lynchburg loamy sand, 0 to 2 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 29143; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Sardinia, SC

Summer high91 °Faverage high, July
Winter low35 °Faverage low, January
Hot days75days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights48nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days5,464base 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
Precipitation53.4 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 37 °F 59°37° FebMarch: average high 67 °F, low 43 °F 67°43° MarApril: average high 75 °F, low 51 °F 75°51° AprMay: average high 82 °F, low 59 °F 82°59° MayJune: average high 88 °F, low 67 °F 88°67° JunJuly: average high 91 °F, low 71 °F 91°71° JulAugust: average high 89 °F, low 70 °F 89°70° AugSeptember: average high 83 °F, low 64 °F 83°64° SepOctober: average high 75 °F, low 53 °F 75°53° OctNovember: average high 65 °F, low 43 °F 65°43° NovDecember: average high 58 °F, low 37 °F 58°37° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″2″4″6″January: 3.76 in precipitation 3.8 JanFebruary: 3.35 in precipitation 3.4 FebMarch: 3.89 in precipitation 3.9 MarApril: 3.23 in precipitation 3.2 AprMay: 4.16 in precipitation 4.2 MayJune: 5.21 in precipitation 5.2 JunJuly: 6.16 in precipitation 6.2 JulAugust: 6.37 in precipitation 6.4 AugSeptember: 5.61 in precipitation 5.6 SepOctober: 4.59 in precipitation 4.6 OctNovember: 3.29 in precipitation 3.3 NovDecember: 3.76 in precipitation 3.8 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Manning, SC (11 mi away); precipitation: Kingstree 9.5 Nw, SC (9 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 8b.

290518b
Gable, SC · 3 mi
291118b
New Zion, SC · 5 mi
291628b
Turbeville, SC · 6 mi
290018b
Alcolu, SC · 6 mi
291148b
Olanta, SC · 12 mi
290808b
Lynchburg, SC · 12 mi
291048b
Mayesville, SC · 13 mi
291508b
Sumter, SC · 13 mi

South Carolina planting zones →

Questions about 29143

What planting zone is ZIP code 29143?

ZIP code 29143 (Sardinia, 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 Sardinia, SC?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 29143 is March 25; after April 11 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Manning station.

When is the first frost in Sardinia, SC?

The median first fall frost near 29143 is November 11, giving a median frost-free growing season of 232 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 29143?

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 29143 get?

About 53.4 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Kingstree 9.5 Nw station).

How hot do summers get in Sardinia, SC?

The average high peaks at 91 °F in July, with about 75 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 29143 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Lynchburg at the center of ZIP 29143: loamy sand, somewhat poorly drained, pH about 5.8 (moderately acidic).

Did spring come early in Sardinia, SC in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 29143 came on Feb 18 in 2026, 12 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 6), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Sardinia, SC?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 29143 is 14 h 24 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 29143 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 29143 in zone 8a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 8b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.