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

Planting zone for 29429 — Awendaw, SC

ZIP code 29429 (Awendaw, Charleston County) is in USDA zone 9a: the coldest winter night averages 20 to 25 °F. The median last spring frost is March 17 and the first fall frost November 21.

Where ZIP 29429 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.

Zone9a20 to 25 °F
Coldest night−6.7 to −3.9 °C
Last frostMar 17
First frostNov 21
2012 zone8b

Was 8b 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 9a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Awendaw, 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 Awendaw, SC

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMarch 17median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsApril 4only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostNovember 21median — 10% chance by Nov 4
Growing season250 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 2 and returns around December 6.

From the NOAA station Mcclellanville, SC — 14 miles away, elevation 13 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 29429

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Feb 3 – Feb 17
SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 3 – Feb 24
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 6 – Jan 20
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Feb 24 – Mar 10
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Feb 17 – Mar 3
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Feb 24 – Mar 10
LettuceSow outdoors · Feb 17 – Mar 3
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Feb 24 – Mar 10
TomatoesStart indoors · Jan 20 – Feb 3
TomatoesTransplant · Mar 24 – Apr 7
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 6 – Jan 20
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Mar 31 – Apr 14
BeansSow outdoors · Mar 24 – Apr 7
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Mar 24 – Apr 7
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Mar 24 – Apr 7
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 26 – Oct 10
GarlicPlant cloves · Nov 7 – Dec 12
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Mar 17) and first fall frost (Nov 21) 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 29429 came on Feb 7 — 7 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Jan 31).

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 9a in South Carolina

578 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in South Carolina, and rated by the USDA to survive 20 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 9a. Each links to its USDA PLANTS profile.

Trees 83

American basswood100 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −46 °FAmerican beech80 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −44 °FAmerican chestnut115 ft · blooms early summer · high shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican elm120 ft · blooms early spring · medium shade tolerance · to −46 °FAmerican sycamore100 ft · blooms spring · medium shade tolerance · to −34 °Farborvitae50 ft · blooms mid spring · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °F

Shrubs 133

Allegheny serviceberry35 ft · blooms early spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °Faloe yucca15 ft · blooms early summer · medium shade tolerance · to −1 °Falternateleaf dogwood25 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −47 °FAmerican beautyberry6 ft · blooms early summer · medium shade tolerance · to −8 °FAmerican hazelnut10 ft · blooms spring · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican holly40 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −20 °F

Wildflowers & perennials 170

American bur-reed3 ft · blooms indeterminate · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican eelgrass1 ft · blooms mid summer · high shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican lotus3 ft · blooms mid summer · high shade tolerance · to −36 °FAmerican pokeweed7 ft · blooms mid summer · low shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican speedwell0.8 ft · blooms mid summer · low shade tolerance · to −38 °FAmerican spongeplant0.5 ft · blooms mid spring · high shade tolerance · to −24 °F

Grasses 169

alkali sacaton3 ft · blooms mid summer · high shade tolerance · to −38 °FAmerican beachgrass2.5 ft · blooms spring · high shade tolerance · to −28 °FAmerican cupscale3 ft · blooms early summer · high shade tolerance · to −18 °FAtlantic mannagrass3 ft · blooms summer · low shade tolerance · to −8 °Fautumn bluegrass1.5 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −8 °Fawlfruit sedge4 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °F

Vines 12

American bittersweet15 ft · blooms spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °FAmerican wisteria50 ft · blooms spring · low shade tolerance · to −3 °Fcupseed30 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −3 °Fdevil's darning needles15 ft · blooms mid summer · medium shade tolerance · to −38 °Ffrost grape83 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −23 °Fgraybark grape50 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −8 °F

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 Awendaw, SC.

Soil in Awendaw, SC

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 29429 is Brookman — sandy clay loam, very poorly drained.

TextureSandy clay loamholds water and nutrients; slow to drain and warm up
pH5.5moderately acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageVery poorly drainedconsider raised beds
Organic matter6.5%high
Hydrologic groupC/Dslow when drained; wet otherwise
Farmland classFarmland of statewide importanceUSDA classification

Map unit: Santee clay loam.

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 29429; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Awendaw, SC

Summer high91 °Faverage high, July
Winter low36 °Faverage low, January
Hot days50days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights34nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days6,020base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day14 h 20 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 58 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growIntermediateday-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully
Precipitation52.4 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

30°40°50°60°70°80°90°100°32 °FJanuary: average high 60 °F, low 36 °F 60°36° JanFebruary: average high 62 °F, low 38 °F 62°38° FebMarch: average high 68 °F, low 45 °F 68°45° MarApril: average high 77 °F, low 52 °F 77°52° AprMay: average high 83 °F, low 62 °F 83°62° MayJune: average high 88 °F, low 69 °F 88°69° JunJuly: average high 91 °F, low 73 °F 91°73° JulAugust: average high 89 °F, low 72 °F 89°72° AugSeptember: average high 86 °F, low 67 °F 86°67° SepOctober: average high 78 °F, low 56 °F 78°56° OctNovember: average high 70 °F, low 46 °F 70°46° NovDecember: average high 62 °F, low 40 °F 62°40° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″2″4″6″8″January: 3.53 in precipitation 3.5 JanFebruary: 2.99 in precipitation 3.0 FebMarch: 3.69 in precipitation 3.7 MarApril: 3.29 in precipitation 3.3 AprMay: 3.29 in precipitation 3.3 MayJune: 5.15 in precipitation 5.2 JunJuly: 6.01 in precipitation 6.0 JulAugust: 7.22 in precipitation 7.2 AugSeptember: 6.56 in precipitation 6.6 SepOctober: 4.28 in precipitation 4.3 OctNovember: 2.78 in precipitation 2.8 NovDecember: 3.63 in precipitation 3.6 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Mcclellanville, SC (14 mi away); precipitation: Mount Pleasant 3.1 E, SC (14 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

294508b
Huger, SC · 8 mi
294669a
Mount Pleasant, SC · 9 mi
294519a
Isle Of Palms, SC · 12 mi
294929a
Charleston, SC · 12 mi
294139a
Charleston, SC · 13 mi
294169a
Charleston, SC · 13 mi
294179a
Charleston, SC · 13 mi
294229a
Charleston, SC · 13 mi

South Carolina planting zones →

Questions about 29429

What planting zone is ZIP code 29429?

ZIP code 29429 (Awendaw, SC) is in USDA hardiness zone 9a on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches 20 to 25 °F (−6.7 to −3.9 °C).

When is the last frost in Awendaw, SC?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 29429 is March 17; after April 4 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Mcclellanville station.

When is the first frost in Awendaw, SC?

The median first fall frost near 29429 is November 21, giving a median frost-free growing season of 250 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 29429?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Jan 20 – Feb 3 and set transplants outside around Mar 24 – Apr 7, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 29429 get?

About 52.4 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Mount Pleasant 3.1 E station).

How hot do summers get in Awendaw, SC?

The average high peaks at 91 °F in July, with about 50 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 29429 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Brookman at the center of ZIP 29429: sandy clay loam, very poorly drained, pH about 5.5 (moderately acidic).

Did spring come early in Awendaw, SC in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 29429 came on Feb 7 in 2026, 7 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Jan 31), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Awendaw, SC?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 29429 is 14 h 20 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 29429 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 29429 in zone 8b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 9a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.