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

Planting zone for 29609 — Greenville, SC

ZIP code 29609 (Greenville, Greenville County) is in USDA zone 8a: the coldest winter night averages 10 to 15 °F. The median last spring frost is March 16 and the first fall frost November 20.

Where ZIP 29609 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.

Zone8a10 to 15 °F

Coldest night−12.2 to −9.4 °C

Last frostMar 16

First frostNov 20

2012 zone7b

Was 7b 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 8a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Greenville, 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 Greenville, SC

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMarch 16median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsApril 2only 10% chance of frost after

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

Growing season250 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 3 and returns around December 3.

From the NOAA station Greenville Dwtn Airport, SC — 5 miles away, elevation 1,047 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 29609

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Feb 2 – Feb 16

SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 2 – Feb 23

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 5 – Jan 19

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Feb 23 – Mar 9

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Feb 16 – Mar 2

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Feb 23 – Mar 9

LettuceSow outdoors · Feb 16 – Mar 2

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Feb 23 – Mar 9

TomatoesStart indoors · Jan 19 – Feb 2

TomatoesTransplant · Mar 23 – Apr 6

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 5 – Jan 19

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Mar 30 – Apr 13

BeansSow outdoors · Mar 23 – Apr 6

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Mar 23 – Apr 6

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Mar 23 – Apr 6

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 16) 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 29609 came on Feb 19 — 4 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 15).

average
Feb 152026
Feb 19

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 8a in South Carolina

550 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in South Carolina, and rated by the USDA to survive 10 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 8a. 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 Greenville, SC.

Soil in Greenville, SC

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 29609 is Evard — sandy loam, well drained.

TextureSandy loamdrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding

pH5.3strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter1.25%low — add compost

Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Evard-Brevard association, steep.

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 29609; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Greenville, SC

Summer high91 °Faverage high, July

Winter low35 °Faverage low, January

Hot days53days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights44nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days5,506base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 30 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 48 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation55.3 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: Greenville Dwtn Airport, SC (5 mi away); precipitation: Taylors 2.8 W, SC (within 1 mile). 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.

296148a

Greenville, SC · 3 mi

296138a

Greenville, SC · 3 mi

296168b

Greenville, SC · 4 mi

296178a

Greenville, SC · 4 mi

296018a

Greenville, SC · 5 mi

296038a

Greenville, SC · 5 mi

296048a

Greenville, SC · 6 mi

296068a

Greenville, SC · 6 mi

All 17 ZIP codes in Greenville → · South Carolina planting zones →

Questions about 29609

What planting zone is ZIP code 29609?

ZIP code 29609 (Greenville, SC) is in USDA hardiness zone 8a on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches 10 to 15 °F (−12.2 to −9.4 °C).

When is the last frost in Greenville, SC?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 29609 is March 16; after April 2 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Greenville Dwtn Airport station.

When is the first frost in Greenville, SC?

The median first fall frost near 29609 is November 20, giving a median frost-free growing season of 250 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 29609?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Jan 19 – Feb 2 and set transplants outside around Mar 23 – Apr 6, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 29609 get?

About 55.3 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Taylors 2.8 W station).

How hot do summers get in Greenville, SC?

The average high peaks at 91 °F in July, with about 53 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 29609 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Evard at the center of ZIP 29609: sandy loam, well drained, pH about 5.3 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Greenville, SC in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 29609 came on Feb 19 in 2026, 4 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 15), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Greenville, SC?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 29609 is 14 h 30 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 29609 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 29609 in zone 7b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 8a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.