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

Planting zone for 29803 — Aiken, SC

ZIP code 29803 (Aiken, Aiken County) is in USDA zone 8b: the coldest winter night averages 15 to 20 °F. The median last spring frost is March 21 and the first fall frost November 7.

Where ZIP 29803 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.

Zone8b15 to 20 °F

Coldest night−9.4 to −6.7 °C

Last frostMar 21

First frostNov 7

2012 zone8a

Was 8a 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 8b means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Aiken, 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 Aiken, SC

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMarch 21median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsApril 6only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostNovember 7median — 10% chance by Oct 25

Growing season232 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 9 and returns around November 19.

From the NOAA station Aiken 5se, SC — 2 miles away, elevation 492 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 29803

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Feb 7 – Feb 21

SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 7 – Feb 28

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 10 – Jan 24

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Feb 28 – Mar 14

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Feb 21 – Mar 7

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Feb 28 – Mar 14

LettuceSow outdoors · Feb 21 – Mar 7

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Feb 28 – Mar 14

TomatoesStart indoors · Jan 24 – Feb 7

TomatoesTransplant · Mar 28 – Apr 11

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 10 – Jan 24

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 4 – Apr 18

BeansSow outdoors · Mar 28 – Apr 11

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Mar 28 – Apr 11

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Mar 28 – Apr 11

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 12 – Sep 26

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 24 – Nov 28

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Mar 21) and first fall frost (Nov 7) 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 29803 came on Feb 14 — 9 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 5).

average
Feb 52026
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).

Native plants for zone 8b in South Carolina

566 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in South Carolina, and rated by the USDA to survive 15 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 8b. 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 Aiken, SC.

Soil in Aiken, SC

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 29803 is Troup — sand, somewhat excessively drained.

TextureSanddrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding

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

DrainageSomewhat excessively drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter0.75%low — add compost

Hydrologic groupAwater soaks in fast

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Troup sand, 6 to 10 percent slopes, Carolina and Georgia Sand Hills.

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 29803; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Aiken, SC

Summer high93 °Faverage high, July

Winter low35 °Faverage low, January

Hot days86days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights51nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days5,739base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 22 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 56 mindaylight on December 21

Onions to growIntermediateday-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully

Precipitation47.6 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: Aiken 5se, SC (2 mi away); precipitation: Aiken 3.9 S, SC (2 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 8b.

298098b

New Ellenton, SC · 3 mi

298398b

Montmorenci, SC · 7 mi

298028b

Aiken, SC · 7 mi

298518b

Warrenville, SC · 8 mi

298048b

Aiken, SC · 8 mi

298288b

Gloverville, SC · 9 mi

298428b

Beech Island, SC · 9 mi

298018b

Aiken, SC · 9 mi

All 5 ZIP codes in Aiken → · South Carolina planting zones →

Questions about 29803

What planting zone is ZIP code 29803?

ZIP code 29803 (Aiken, SC) is in USDA hardiness zone 8b on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches 15 to 20 °F (−9.4 to −6.7 °C).

When is the last frost in Aiken, SC?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 29803 is March 21; after April 6 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Aiken 5se station.

When is the first frost in Aiken, SC?

The median first fall frost near 29803 is November 7, giving a median frost-free growing season of 232 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 29803?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Jan 24 – Feb 7 and set transplants outside around Mar 28 – Apr 11, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 29803 get?

About 47.6 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Aiken 3.9 S station).

How hot do summers get in Aiken, SC?

The average high peaks at 93 °F in July, with about 86 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 29803 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Troup at the center of ZIP 29803: sand, somewhat excessively drained, pH about 5.3 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Aiken, SC in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 29803 came on Feb 14 in 2026, 9 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 5), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Aiken, SC?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 29803 is 14 h 22 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 29803 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 29803 in zone 8a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 8b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.