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

Planting zone for 29161 — Timmonsville, SC

ZIP code 29161 (Timmonsville, Florence County) is in USDA zone 8b: the coldest winter night averages 15 to 20 °F. The median last spring frost is March 19 and the first fall frost November 15.

Where ZIP 29161 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 19
First frostNov 15
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 Timmonsville, 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 Timmonsville, SC

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMarch 19median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsApril 4only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostNovember 15median — 10% chance by Oct 31
Growing season241 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 5 and returns around December 1.

From the NOAA station Elliott 0.8 Nw, SC — 13 miles away, elevation 174 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 29161

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Feb 5 – Feb 19
SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 5 – Feb 26
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 8 – Jan 22
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Feb 26 – Mar 12
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Feb 19 – Mar 5
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Feb 26 – Mar 12
LettuceSow outdoors · Feb 19 – Mar 5
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Feb 26 – Mar 12
TomatoesStart indoors · Jan 22 – Feb 5
TomatoesTransplant · Mar 26 – Apr 9
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 8 – Jan 22
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 2 – Apr 16
BeansSow outdoors · Mar 26 – Apr 9
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Mar 26 – Apr 9
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Mar 26 – Apr 9
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 20 – Oct 4
GarlicPlant cloves · Nov 1 – Dec 6
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Mar 19) and first fall frost (Nov 15) 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 29161 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 Timmonsville, SC

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 29161 is Wehadkee — fine sandy loam, poorly drained.

TextureFine sandy loamdrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding
pH5.5moderately acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainagePoorly drainedconsider raised beds
Organic matter3.5%moderate
Hydrologic groupA/Ddrains fast once dried out; wet otherwise
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Wehadkee and Johnston soils, frequently flooded.

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 29161; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Timmonsville, SC

Summer high91 °Faverage high, July
Winter low33 °Faverage low, January
Hot days72days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights29nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days5,270base 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
Precipitation49.6 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 57 °F, low 33 °F 57°33° JanFebruary: average high 59 °F, low 37 °F 59°37° FebMarch: average high 67 °F, low 41 °F 67°41° MarApril: average high 75 °F, low 50 °F 75°50° AprMay: average high 82 °F, low 59 °F 82°59° MayJune: average high 87 °F, low 67 °F 87°67° JunJuly: average high 91 °F, low 71 °F 91°71° JulAugust: average high 89 °F, low 70 °F 89°70° AugSeptember: average high 85 °F, low 63 °F 85°63° SepOctober: average high 76 °F, low 52 °F 76°52° OctNovember: average high 66 °F, low 42 °F 66°42° NovDecember: average high 59 °F, low 37 °F 59°37° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″5″6″January: 3.44 in precipitation 3.4 JanFebruary: 3.55 in precipitation 3.5 FebMarch: 3.80 in precipitation 3.8 MarApril: 3.28 in precipitation 3.3 AprMay: 4.32 in precipitation 4.3 MayJune: 5.10 in precipitation 5.1 JunJuly: 5.28 in precipitation 5.3 JulAugust: 5.30 in precipitation 5.3 AugSeptember: 4.98 in precipitation 5.0 SepOctober: 3.81 in precipitation 3.8 OctNovember: 3.01 in precipitation 3.0 NovDecember: 3.77 in precipitation 3.8 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Elliott 0.8 Nw, SC (13 mi away); precipitation: Florence 5.1 W, SC (7 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 8b.

295018b
Florence, SC · 10 mi
290698b
Lamar, SC · 10 mi
290808b
Lynchburg, SC · 10 mi
291148b
Olanta, SC · 10 mi
295028b
Florence, SC · 11 mi
295418b
Effingham, SC · 12 mi
290468b
Elliott, SC · 12 mi
295328b
Darlington, SC · 14 mi

South Carolina planting zones →

Questions about 29161

What planting zone is ZIP code 29161?

ZIP code 29161 (Timmonsville, 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 Timmonsville, SC?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 29161 is March 19; after April 4 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Elliott 0.8 Nw station.

When is the first frost in Timmonsville, SC?

The median first fall frost near 29161 is November 15, giving a median frost-free growing season of 241 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 29161?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Jan 22 – Feb 5 and set transplants outside around Mar 26 – Apr 9, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 29161 get?

About 49.6 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Florence 5.1 W station).

How hot do summers get in Timmonsville, SC?

The average high peaks at 91 °F in July, with about 72 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 29161 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Wehadkee at the center of ZIP 29161: fine sandy loam, poorly drained, pH about 5.5 (moderately acidic).

Did spring come early in Timmonsville, SC in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 29161 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 Timmonsville, SC?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 29161 is 14 h 26 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 29161 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 29161 in zone 8a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 8b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.