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

Planting zone for 29657 — Liberty, SC

ZIP code 29657 (Liberty, Pickens County) is in USDA zone 8a: the coldest winter night averages 10 to 15 °F. The median last spring frost is April 1 and the first fall frost November 3.

Where ZIP 29657 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 frostApr 1
First frostNov 3
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 Liberty, 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 Liberty, SC

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostApril 1median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsApril 18only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostNovember 3median — 10% chance by Oct 21
Growing season216 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 20 and returns around November 15.

From the NOAA station Pickens, SC — 8 miles away, elevation 1,076 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 29657

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Feb 18 – Mar 4
SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 18 – Mar 11
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 21 – Feb 4
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 11 – Mar 25
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 4 – Mar 18
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 11 – Mar 25
LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 4 – Mar 18
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 11 – Mar 25
TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 4 – Feb 18
TomatoesTransplant · Apr 8 – Apr 22
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 21 – Feb 4
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 15 – Apr 29
BeansSow outdoors · Apr 8 – Apr 22
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 8 – Apr 22
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 8 – Apr 22
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 8 – Sep 22
GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 20 – Nov 24
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 1) and first fall frost (Nov 3) 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 29657 came on Feb 20 — 6 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 14).

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 Liberty, SC

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 29657 is Pacolet — fine sandy loam, well drained.

TextureFine sandy loamdrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding
pH5.5moderately acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter1%low — add compost
Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Pacolet fine sandy loam, 10 to 25 percent slopes, eroded.

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 29657; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Liberty, SC

Summer high90 °Faverage high, July
Winter low30 °Faverage low, January
Hot days49days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights74nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days4,789base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day14 h 29 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 49 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growIntermediateday-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully
Precipitation51.7 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 30 °F 53°30° JanFebruary: average high 56 °F, low 33 °F 56°33° FebMarch: average high 64 °F, low 39 °F 64°39° MarApril: average high 73 °F, low 47 °F 73°47° AprMay: average high 80 °F, low 57 °F 80°57° MayJune: average high 86 °F, low 65 °F 86°65° JunJuly: average high 90 °F, low 69 °F 90°69° JulAugust: average high 88 °F, low 68 °F 88°68° AugSeptember: average high 83 °F, low 62 °F 83°62° SepOctober: average high 73 °F, low 49 °F 73°49° OctNovember: average high 63 °F, low 38 °F 63°38° NovDecember: average high 55 °F, low 33 °F 55°33° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″5″6″January: 4.36 in precipitation 4.4 JanFebruary: 4.06 in precipitation 4.1 FebMarch: 4.96 in precipitation 5.0 MarApril: 3.92 in precipitation 3.9 AprMay: 4.22 in precipitation 4.2 MayJune: 4.23 in precipitation 4.2 JunJuly: 4.58 in precipitation 4.6 JulAugust: 5.27 in precipitation 5.3 AugSeptember: 3.86 in precipitation 3.9 SepOctober: 3.76 in precipitation 3.8 OctNovember: 4.03 in precipitation 4.0 NovDecember: 4.43 in precipitation 4.4 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Pickens, SC (8 mi away); precipitation: Easley 1.3 Ese, SC (7 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.

296418a
Easley, SC · 4 mi
296678a
Norris, SC · 4 mi
296308a
Central, SC · 7 mi
296428a
Easley, SC · 7 mi
296708a
Pendleton, SC · 9 mi
296318a
Clemson, SC · 10 mi
296408a
Easley, SC · 10 mi
296328b
Clemson, SC · 10 mi

South Carolina planting zones →

Questions about 29657

What planting zone is ZIP code 29657?

ZIP code 29657 (Liberty, 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 Liberty, SC?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 29657 is April 1; after April 18 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Pickens station.

When is the first frost in Liberty, SC?

The median first fall frost near 29657 is November 3, giving a median frost-free growing season of 216 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 29657?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 4 – Feb 18 and set transplants outside around Apr 8 – Apr 22, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 29657 get?

About 51.7 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Easley 1.3 Ese station).

How hot do summers get in Liberty, SC?

The average high peaks at 90 °F in July, with about 49 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 29657 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Pacolet at the center of ZIP 29657: fine sandy loam, well drained, pH about 5.5 (moderately acidic).

Did spring come early in Liberty, SC in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 29657 came on Feb 20 in 2026, 6 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 14), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Liberty, SC?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 29657 is 14 h 29 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.