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

Planting zone for 29690 — Travelers Rest, SC

ZIP code 29690 (Travelers Rest, Greenville County) is in USDA zone 8a: the coldest winter night averages 10 to 15 °F. The median last spring frost is April 10 and the first fall frost November 2.

Where ZIP 29690 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 10

First frostNov 2

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 Travelers Rest, 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 Travelers Rest, SC

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostApril 10median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsApril 28only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostNovember 2median — 10% chance by Oct 22

Growing season206 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 30 and returns around November 12.

From the NOAA station Caesars Head, SC — 12 miles away, elevation 3,199 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 29690

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Feb 27 – Mar 13

SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 27 – Mar 20

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 30 – Feb 13

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 20 – Apr 3

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 13 – Mar 27

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 20 – Apr 3

LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 13 – Mar 27

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 20 – Apr 3

TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 13 – Feb 27

TomatoesTransplant · Apr 17 – May 1

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 30 – Feb 13

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 24 – May 8

BeansSow outdoors · Apr 17 – May 1

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 17 – May 1

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 17 – May 1

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 7 – Sep 21

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 19 – Nov 23

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 10) and first fall frost (Nov 2) 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 29690 came on Feb 21 — 6 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 15).

average
Feb 152026
Feb 21

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 Travelers Rest, SC.

Soil in Travelers Rest, SC

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 29690 is Cecil — sandy clay loam, well drained.

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

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

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter0.5%low — add compost

Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Cecil-Cataula complex, 10 to 15 percent slopes, moderately 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 29690; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Travelers Rest, SC

Summer high78 °Faverage high, July

Winter low28 °Faverage low, January

Hot days1days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights78nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days3,132base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 31 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

Precipitation59.6 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: Caesars Head, SC (12 mi away); precipitation: Travelers Rest 8.9 N, SC (2 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.

Greenville, SC · 9 mi

296098a

Greenville, SC · 10 mi

296178a

Greenville, SC · 10 mi

287907b

Zirconia, NC · 11 mi

South Carolina planting zones →

Questions about 29690

What planting zone is ZIP code 29690?

ZIP code 29690 (Travelers Rest, 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 Travelers Rest, SC?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 29690 is April 10; after April 28 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Caesars Head station.

When is the first frost in Travelers Rest, SC?

The median first fall frost near 29690 is November 2, giving a median frost-free growing season of 206 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 29690?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 13 – Feb 27 and set transplants outside around Apr 17 – May 1, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 29690 get?

About 59.6 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Travelers Rest 8.9 N station).

How hot do summers get in Travelers Rest, SC?

The average high peaks at 78 °F in July, with about 1 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 29690 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Cecil at the center of ZIP 29690: sandy clay loam, well drained, pH about 5.3 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Travelers Rest, SC in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 29690 came on Feb 21 in 2026, 6 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 15), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Travelers Rest, SC?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 29690 is 14 h 31 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 29690 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 29690 in zone 7b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 8a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.