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

Planting zone for 29697 — Williamston, SC

ZIP code 29697 (Williamston, Anderson 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 4.

Where ZIP 29697 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 4
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 Williamston, 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 Williamston, 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 17only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostNovember 4median — 10% chance by Oct 22
Growing season219 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 19 and returns around November 16.

From the NOAA station W Pelzer, SC — 6 miles away, elevation 705 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 29697

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 9 – Sep 23
GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 21 – Nov 25
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 1) and first fall frost (Nov 4) 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 29697 came on Feb 18 — 5 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 13).

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 Williamston, SC

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 29697 is Cecil — 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 matter0.5%low — add compost
Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately
Farmland classFarmland of statewide importanceUSDA classification

Map unit: Cecil sandy loam, 6 to 10 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 29697; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Williamston, SC

Summer high90 °Faverage high, July
Winter low31 °Faverage low, January
Hot days51days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights70nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days4,792base 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
Precipitation49.6 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 52 °F, low 31 °F 52°31° JanFebruary: average high 56 °F, low 33 °F 56°33° FebMarch: average high 64 °F, low 40 °F 64°40° MarApril: average high 73 °F, low 47 °F 73°47° AprMay: average high 80 °F, low 57 °F 80°57° MayJune: average high 87 °F, low 65 °F 87°65° JunJuly: average high 90 °F, low 68 °F 90°68° JulAugust: average high 88 °F, low 67 °F 88°67° AugSeptember: average high 83 °F, low 61 °F 83°61° SepOctober: average high 73 °F, low 49 °F 73°49° OctNovember: average high 64 °F, low 39 °F 64°39° NovDecember: average high 55 °F, low 33 °F 55°33° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″5″January: 4.53 in precipitation 4.5 JanFebruary: 4.24 in precipitation 4.2 FebMarch: 4.58 in precipitation 4.6 MarApril: 3.82 in precipitation 3.8 AprMay: 3.74 in precipitation 3.7 MayJune: 4.27 in precipitation 4.3 JunJuly: 3.99 in precipitation 4.0 JulAugust: 4.56 in precipitation 4.6 AugSeptember: 3.80 in precipitation 3.8 SepOctober: 3.47 in precipitation 3.5 OctNovember: 3.80 in precipitation 3.8 NovDecember: 4.85 in precipitation 4.8 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: W Pelzer, SC (6 mi away); precipitation: Williamston 5.4 W, 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.

296698a
Pelzer, SC · 8 mi
296278a
Belton, SC · 8 mi
296738a
Piedmont, SC · 8 mi
296218a
Anderson, SC · 9 mi
296708a
Pendleton, SC · 10 mi
296228b
Anderson, SC · 10 mi
296428a
Easley, SC · 10 mi
296778a
Sandy Springs, SC · 12 mi

South Carolina planting zones →

Questions about 29697

What planting zone is ZIP code 29697?

ZIP code 29697 (Williamston, 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 Williamston, SC?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 29697 is April 1; after April 17 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, W Pelzer station.

When is the first frost in Williamston, SC?

The median first fall frost near 29697 is November 4, giving a median frost-free growing season of 219 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 29697?

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 29697 get?

About 49.6 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Williamston 5.4 W station).

How hot do summers get in Williamston, 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 29697 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Cecil at the center of ZIP 29697: sandy loam, well drained, pH about 5.3 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Williamston, SC in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 29697 came on Feb 18 in 2026, 5 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 13), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Williamston, SC?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 29697 is 14 h 29 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.