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

Planting zone for 29566 — Little River, SC

ZIP code 29566 (Little River, Horry County) is in USDA zone 8b: the coldest winter night averages 15 to 20 °F. The median last spring frost is March 13 and the first fall frost November 20.

Where ZIP 29566 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 13

First frostNov 20

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 Little River, 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 Little River, SC

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMarch 13median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMarch 31only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostNovember 20median — 10% chance by Nov 4

Growing season255 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around February 26 and returns around December 6.

From the NOAA station N Myrtle Bch Airport, SC — 6 miles away, elevation 33 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 29566

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Jan 30 – Feb 13

SpinachSow outdoors · Jan 30 – Feb 20

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 2 – Jan 16

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Feb 20 – Mar 6

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Feb 13 – Feb 27

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Feb 20 – Mar 6

LettuceSow outdoors · Feb 13 – Feb 27

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Feb 20 – Mar 6

TomatoesStart indoors · Jan 16 – Jan 30

TomatoesTransplant · Mar 20 – Apr 3

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 2 – Jan 16

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Mar 27 – Apr 10

BeansSow outdoors · Mar 20 – Apr 3

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Mar 20 – Apr 3

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Mar 20 – Apr 3

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 25 – Oct 9

GarlicPlant cloves · Nov 6 – Dec 11

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Mar 13) and first fall frost (Nov 20) 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 29566 came on Feb 16 — 10 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 6).

average
Feb 62026
Feb 16

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 Little River, SC.

Soil in Little River, SC

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 29566 is Ogeechee — loamy fine sand, poorly drained.

TextureLoamy fine sanddrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding

pH5.0strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainagePoorly drainedconsider raised beds

Organic matter1.5%low — add compost

Hydrologic groupB/Dmoderate when drained; wet otherwise

Farmland classFarmland of statewide importanceUSDA classification

Map unit: Ogeechee loamy fine sand.

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 29566; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Little River, SC

Summer high88 °Faverage high, July

Winter low37 °Faverage low, January

Hot days21days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights34nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days5,640base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 25 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

Precipitation59.3 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: N Myrtle Bch Airport, SC (6 mi away); precipitation: Calabash 1.9 Nne, NC (6 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 8b.

295828b

North Myrtle Beach, SC · 4 mi

284678b

Calabash, NC · 4 mi

295978b

North Myrtle Beach, SC · 5 mi

295988b

North Myrtle Beach, SC · 5 mi

295688b

Longs, SC · 5 mi

284688b

Sunset Beach, NC · 8 mi

284528b

Longwood, NC · 10 mi

284698b

Ocean Isle Beach, NC · 11 mi

South Carolina planting zones →

Questions about 29566

What planting zone is ZIP code 29566?

ZIP code 29566 (Little River, 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 Little River, SC?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 29566 is March 13; after March 31 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, N Myrtle Bch Airport station.

When is the first frost in Little River, SC?

The median first fall frost near 29566 is November 20, giving a median frost-free growing season of 255 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 29566?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Jan 16 – Jan 30 and set transplants outside around Mar 20 – Apr 3, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 29566 get?

About 59.3 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Calabash 1.9 Nne station).

How hot do summers get in Little River, SC?

The average high peaks at 88 °F in July, with about 21 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 29566 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Ogeechee at the center of ZIP 29566: loamy fine sand, poorly drained, pH about 5.0 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Little River, SC in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 29566 came on Feb 16 in 2026, 10 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 6), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Little River, SC?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 29566 is 14 h 25 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.