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

Planting zone for 29442 — Georgetown, SC

ZIP code 29442 (Georgetown, Georgetown County) is in USDA zone 8b: the coldest winter night averages 15 to 20 °F. The median last spring frost is March 12 and the first fall frost November 24.

Where ZIP 29442 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 12

First frostNov 24

2012 zone8b

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 8b means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Georgetown, 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 Georgetown, SC

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMarch 12median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMarch 30only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostNovember 24median — 10% chance by Nov 6

Growing season258 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around February 25 and returns around December 10.

From the NOAA station Georgetown Co. Airport, SC — 8 miles away, elevation 30 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 29442

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Jan 29 – Feb 12

SpinachSow outdoors · Jan 29 – Feb 19

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 1 – Jan 15

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Feb 19 – Mar 5

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Feb 12 – Feb 26

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Feb 19 – Mar 5

LettuceSow outdoors · Feb 12 – Feb 26

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Feb 19 – Mar 5

TomatoesStart indoors · Jan 15 – Jan 29

TomatoesTransplant · Mar 19 – Apr 2

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 1 – Jan 15

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Mar 26 – Apr 9

BeansSow outdoors · Mar 19 – Apr 2

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Mar 19 – Apr 2

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Mar 19 – Apr 2

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 29 – Oct 13

GarlicPlant cloves · Nov 10 – Dec 15

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Mar 12) and first fall frost (Nov 24) 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 29442 came on Feb 15 — 14 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 1).

average
Feb 12026
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 8b in South Carolina

566 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in South Carolina, and rated by the USDA to survive 15 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 8b. 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 Georgetown, SC.

Soil in Georgetown, SC

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 29442 is Levy — silty clay loam, very poorly drained.

TextureSilty clay loamholds water and nutrients; slow to drain and warm up

pH4.6strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageVery poorly drainedconsider raised beds

Organic matter7.5%high

Hydrologic groupC/Dslow when drained; wet otherwise

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Levy silty 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 29442; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Georgetown, SC

Summer high91 °Faverage high, July

Winter low37 °Faverage low, January

Hot days67days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights33nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days5,993base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 22 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 56 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation55.4 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: Georgetown Co. Airport, SC (8 mi away); precipitation: Georgetown Co. Airport, SC (8 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.

294408b

Georgetown, SC · 6 mi

295858b

Pawleys Island, SC · 13 mi

295768b

Murrells Inlet, SC · 15 mi

295758b

Myrtle Beach, SC · 21 mi

295878b

Myrtle Beach, SC · 21 mi

295888b

Myrtle Beach, SC · 22 mi

295548b

Hemingway, SC · 23 mi

294589a

Mc Clellanville, SC · 25 mi

All 2 ZIP codes in Georgetown → · South Carolina planting zones →

Questions about 29442

What planting zone is ZIP code 29442?

ZIP code 29442 (Georgetown, 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 Georgetown, SC?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 29442 is March 12; after March 30 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Georgetown Co. Airport station.

When is the first frost in Georgetown, SC?

The median first fall frost near 29442 is November 24, giving a median frost-free growing season of 258 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 29442?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Jan 15 – Jan 29 and set transplants outside around Mar 19 – Apr 2, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 29442 get?

About 55.4 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Georgetown Co. Airport station).

How hot do summers get in Georgetown, SC?

The average high peaks at 91 °F in July, with about 67 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 29442 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Levy at the center of ZIP 29442: silty clay loam, very poorly drained, pH about 4.6 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Georgetown, SC in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 29442 came on Feb 15 in 2026, 14 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 1), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Georgetown, SC?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 29442 is 14 h 22 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.