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

Planting zone for 29656 — La France, SC

ZIP code 29656 (La France, Anderson County) is in USDA zone 8a: the coldest winter night averages 10 to 15 °F. The median last spring frost is April 5 and the first fall frost October 30.

Where ZIP 29656 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.

Zone8a10 to 15 °F
Coldest night−12.2 to −9.4 °C
Last frostApr 5
First frostOct 30
2012 zone8a

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 8a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for La France, 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 La France, SC

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostApril 5median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsApril 21only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 30median — 10% chance by Oct 17
Growing season207 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 27 and returns around November 9.

From the NOAA station Sandy Springs 2 Ne, SC — 2 miles away, elevation 764 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 29656

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Feb 22 – Mar 8
SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 22 – Mar 15
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 25 – Feb 8
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 15 – Mar 29
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 8 – Mar 22
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 15 – Mar 29
LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 8 – Mar 22
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 15 – Mar 29
TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 8 – Feb 22
TomatoesTransplant · Apr 12 – Apr 26
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 25 – Feb 8
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 19 – May 3
BeansSow outdoors · Apr 12 – Apr 26
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 12 – Apr 26
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 12 – Apr 26
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 4 – Sep 18
GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 16 – Nov 20
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 5) and first fall frost (Oct 30) 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 29656 came on Feb 18 — 6 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 12).

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 La France, SC

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 29656 is Madison — sandy loam, well drained.

TextureSandy loamdrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding
pH6.0slightly 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: Madison sandy loam, 15 to 25 percent slopes.

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 29656; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in La France, SC

Summer high90 °Faverage high, July
Winter low28 °Faverage low, January
Hot days51days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights75nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days4,587base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day14 h 29 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 50 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growIntermediateday-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully
Precipitation49.8 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 53 °F, low 28 °F 53°28° JanFebruary: average high 57 °F, low 32 °F 57°32° FebMarch: average high 65 °F, low 37 °F 65°37° MarApril: average high 73 °F, low 45 °F 73°45° AprMay: average high 80 °F, low 54 °F 80°54° MayJune: average high 87 °F, low 63 °F 87°63° JunJuly: average high 90 °F, low 67 °F 90°67° JulAugust: average high 89 °F, low 66 °F 89°66° AugSeptember: average high 83 °F, low 60 °F 83°60° SepOctober: average high 74 °F, low 47 °F 74°47° OctNovember: average high 64 °F, low 37 °F 64°37° NovDecember: average high 56 °F, low 32 °F 56°32° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″5″January: 4.78 in precipitation 4.8 JanFebruary: 4.35 in precipitation 4.3 FebMarch: 4.57 in precipitation 4.6 MarApril: 3.72 in precipitation 3.7 AprMay: 3.73 in precipitation 3.7 MayJune: 3.98 in precipitation 4.0 JunJuly: 4.43 in precipitation 4.4 JulAugust: 4.08 in precipitation 4.1 AugSeptember: 4.10 in precipitation 4.1 SepOctober: 3.50 in precipitation 3.5 OctNovember: 3.82 in precipitation 3.8 NovDecember: 4.71 in precipitation 4.7 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Sandy Springs 2 Ne, SC (2 mi away); precipitation: Sandy Springs 2 Ne, SC (2 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

296778a
Sandy Springs, SC · 2 mi
296708a
Pendleton, SC · 3 mi
296258b
Anderson, SC · 5 mi
296318a
Clemson, SC · 5 mi
296348b
Clemson, SC · 5 mi
296328b
Clemson, SC · 6 mi
296338b
Clemson, SC · 6 mi
296308a
Central, SC · 8 mi

South Carolina planting zones →

Questions about 29656

What planting zone is ZIP code 29656?

ZIP code 29656 (La France, 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 La France, SC?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 29656 is April 5; after April 21 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Sandy Springs 2 Ne station.

When is the first frost in La France, SC?

The median first fall frost near 29656 is October 30, giving a median frost-free growing season of 207 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 29656?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 8 – Feb 22 and set transplants outside around Apr 12 – Apr 26, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 29656 get?

About 49.8 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Sandy Springs 2 Ne station).

How hot do summers get in La France, SC?

The average high peaks at 90 °F in July, with about 51 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 29656 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Madison at the center of ZIP 29656: sandy loam, well drained, pH about 6.0 (slightly acidic).

Did spring come early in La France, SC in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 29656 came on Feb 18 in 2026, 6 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 12), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in La France, SC?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 29656 is 14 h 29 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.