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

Planting zone for 29691 — Walhalla, SC

ZIP code 29691 (Walhalla, Oconee County) is in USDA zone 8a: the coldest winter night averages 10 to 15 °F. The median last spring frost is April 11 and the first fall frost October 30.

Where ZIP 29691 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 11
First frostOct 30
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 Walhalla, 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 Walhalla, SC

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostApril 11median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsApril 25only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostOctober 30median — 10% chance by Oct 17
Growing season203 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 30 and returns around November 9.

From the NOAA station Walhalla, SC — 2 miles away, elevation 981 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 29691

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Feb 28 – Mar 14
SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 28 – Mar 21
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 31 – Feb 14
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 21 – Apr 4
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 14 – Mar 28
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 21 – Apr 4
LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 14 – Mar 28
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 21 – Apr 4
TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 14 – Feb 28
TomatoesTransplant · Apr 18 – May 2
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 31 – Feb 14
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 25 – May 9
BeansSow outdoors · Apr 18 – May 2
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 18 – May 2
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 18 – May 2
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 11) 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 29691 came on Feb 18 — 3 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 15).

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.

Trees 82

American basswood100 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −46 °FAmerican beech80 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −44 °FAmerican chestnut115 ft · blooms early summer · high shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican elm120 ft · blooms early spring · medium shade tolerance · to −46 °FAmerican sycamore100 ft · blooms spring · medium shade tolerance · to −34 °Farborvitae50 ft · blooms mid spring · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °F

Shrubs 126

Allegheny serviceberry35 ft · blooms early spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °Faloe yucca15 ft · blooms early summer · medium shade tolerance · to −1 °Falternateleaf dogwood25 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −47 °FAmerican beautyberry6 ft · blooms early summer · medium shade tolerance · to −8 °FAmerican hazelnut10 ft · blooms spring · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican holly40 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −20 °F

Wildflowers & perennials 163

American bur-reed3 ft · blooms indeterminate · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican eelgrass1 ft · blooms mid summer · high shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican lotus3 ft · blooms mid summer · high shade tolerance · to −36 °FAmerican pokeweed7 ft · blooms mid summer · low shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican speedwell0.8 ft · blooms mid summer · low shade tolerance · to −38 °FAmerican spongeplant0.5 ft · blooms mid spring · high shade tolerance · to −24 °F

Grasses 158

alkali sacaton3 ft · blooms mid summer · high shade tolerance · to −38 °FAmerican beachgrass2.5 ft · blooms spring · high shade tolerance · to −28 °FAmerican cupscale3 ft · blooms early summer · high shade tolerance · to −18 °FAtlantic mannagrass3 ft · blooms summer · low shade tolerance · to −8 °Fautumn bluegrass1.5 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −8 °Fawlfruit sedge4 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °F

Vines 12

American bittersweet15 ft · blooms spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °FAmerican wisteria50 ft · blooms spring · low shade tolerance · to −3 °Fcupseed30 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −3 °Fdevil's darning needles15 ft · blooms mid summer · medium shade tolerance · to −38 °Ffrost grape83 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −23 °Fgraybark grape50 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −8 °F

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 Walhalla, SC.

Soil in Walhalla, SC

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 29691 is Pacolet — sandy loam, well drained.

TextureSandy 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 matter0.75%low — add compost
Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately
Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Lloyd sandy loam, 15 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 29691; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Walhalla, SC

Summer high89 °Faverage high, July
Winter low29 °Faverage low, January
Hot days44days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights79nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days4,422base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day14 h 30 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
Precipitation61.1 inper year, rain and melted snow
Snowfall2 inper year; 1 days with snow on the ground

Average high and low, by month

20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°100°32 °FJanuary: average high 52 °F, low 29 °F 52°29° JanFebruary: average high 56 °F, low 31 °F 56°31° FebMarch: average high 63 °F, low 37 °F 63°37° MarApril: average high 72 °F, low 45 °F 72°45° AprMay: average high 79 °F, low 55 °F 79°55° MayJune: average high 85 °F, low 63 °F 85°63° JunJuly: average high 89 °F, low 67 °F 89°67° JulAugust: average high 87 °F, low 66 °F 87°66° AugSeptember: average high 82 °F, low 60 °F 82°60° SepOctober: average high 72 °F, low 48 °F 72°48° OctNovember: average high 62 °F, low 37 °F 62°37° NovDecember: average high 54 °F, low 32 °F 54°32° Dec

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

0″2″4″6″January: 5.43 in precipitation, 0.8 in snowfall 5.4❄1 JanFebruary: 4.78 in precipitation, 0.7 in snowfall 4.8❄1 FebMarch: 5.17 in precipitation, 0.2 in snowfall 5.2 MarApril: 4.75 in precipitation 4.8 AprMay: 4.79 in precipitation 4.8 MayJune: 5.25 in precipitation 5.3 JunJuly: 4.93 in precipitation 4.9 JulAugust: 6.17 in precipitation 6.2 AugSeptember: 4.89 in precipitation 4.9 SepOctober: 4.60 in precipitation 4.6 OctNovember: 4.54 in precipitation 4.5 NovDecember: 5.80 in precipitation, 0.5 in snowfall 5.8❄1 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Walhalla, SC (2 mi away); precipitation: Walhalla, 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.

296758a
Richland, SC · 1 mi
296968a
West Union, SC · 4 mi
296648a
Mountain Rest, SC · 7 mi
296728a
Seneca, SC · 9 mi
296798a
Seneca, SC · 10 mi
296658b
Newry, SC · 10 mi
296938a
Westminster, SC · 11 mi
296868a
Tamassee, SC · 12 mi

South Carolina planting zones →

Questions about 29691

What planting zone is ZIP code 29691?

ZIP code 29691 (Walhalla, 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 Walhalla, SC?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 29691 is April 11; after April 25 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Walhalla station.

When is the first frost in Walhalla, SC?

The median first fall frost near 29691 is October 30, giving a median frost-free growing season of 203 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 29691?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 14 – Feb 28 and set transplants outside around Apr 18 – May 2, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 29691 get?

About 61.1 inches of precipitation a year and 2 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Walhalla station).

How hot do summers get in Walhalla, SC?

The average high peaks at 89 °F in July, with about 44 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 29691 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Pacolet at the center of ZIP 29691: sandy loam, well drained, pH about 5.5 (moderately acidic).

Did spring come early in Walhalla, SC in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 29691 came on Feb 18 in 2026, 3 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 15), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Walhalla, SC?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 29691 is 14 h 30 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 29691 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 29691 in zone 7b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 8a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.