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

Planting zone for 29816 — Bath, SC

Q: What planting zone is ZIP code 29816?

ZIP code 29816 (Bath, 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).

Q: When is the last frost in Bath, SC?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 29816 is April 9; after April 23 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Graniteville 1.2 Ne station.

Q: When is the first frost in Bath, SC?

The median first fall frost near 29816 is November 1, giving a median frost-free growing season of 206 days.

Q: When should I plant tomatoes in 29816?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 12 – Feb 26 and set transplants outside around Apr 16 – Apr 30, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

Q: How much rain and snow does 29816 get?

About 47.2 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Aiken 2.2 Nw station).

Q: How hot do summers get in Bath, SC?

The average high peaks at 92 °F in July, with about 97 days a year at 90 °F or more.

Q: What kind of soil does 29816 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Bibb at the center of ZIP 29816: loamy sand, poorly drained, pH about 5.0 (strongly acidic).

Q: Did spring come early in Bath, SC in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 29816 came on Feb 14 in 2026, 10 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 4), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

Q: What kind of onions grow in Bath, SC?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 29816 is 14 h 23 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Q: Did the zone for 29816 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 29816 in zone 8a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 8b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.

ZIP code 29816 (Bath, Aiken County) is in USDA zone 8b: the coldest winter night averages 15 to 20 °F. The median last spring frost is April 9 and the first fall frost November 1.

Where ZIP 29816 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 frostApr 9

First frostNov 1

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 Bath, 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 Bath, SC

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostApril 9median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsApril 23only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostNovember 1median — 10% chance by Oct 20

Growing season206 daysfrost-free, median

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

From the NOAA station Graniteville 1.2 Ne, SC — 7 miles away, elevation 299 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 29816

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Feb 26 – Mar 12

SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 26 – Mar 19

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 29 – Feb 12

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 19 – Apr 2

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 12 – Mar 26

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 19 – Apr 2

LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 12 – Mar 26

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 19 – Apr 2

TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 12 – Feb 26

TomatoesTransplant · Apr 16 – Apr 30

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 29 – Feb 12

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 23 – May 7

BeansSow outdoors · Apr 16 – Apr 30

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 16 – Apr 30

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 16 – Apr 30

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 6 – Sep 20

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 18 – Nov 22

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 9) and first fall frost (Nov 1) 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 29816 came on Feb 14 — 10 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 4).

average
Feb 42026
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 Bath, SC.

Soil in Bath, SC

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 29816 is Bibb — loamy sand, poorly drained.

TextureLoamy sanddrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding

pH5.0strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainagePoorly drainedconsider raised beds

Organic matter0.75%low — add compost

Hydrologic groupB/Dmoderate when drained; wet otherwise

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Bibb loamy sand.

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 29816; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Bath, SC

Summer high92 °Faverage high, July

Winter low30 °Faverage low, January

Hot days97days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights75nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days5,014base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 23 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

Precipitation47.2 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: Graniteville 1.2 Ne, SC (7 mi away); precipitation: Aiken 2.2 Nw, SC (7 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 8b.

298228b

Clearwater, SC · <1 mi

298348b

Langley, SC · 2 mi

298288b

Gloverville, SC · 3 mi

298428b

Beech Island, SC · 3 mi

298518b

Warrenville, SC · 3 mi

298418b

North Augusta, SC · 4 mi

298298b

Graniteville, SC · 5 mi

298618b

North Augusta, SC · 5 mi

South Carolina planting zones →

Questions about 29816

What planting zone is ZIP code 29816?

ZIP code 29816 (Bath, 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 Bath, SC?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 29816 is April 9; after April 23 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Graniteville 1.2 Ne station.

When is the first frost in Bath, SC?

The median first fall frost near 29816 is November 1, giving a median frost-free growing season of 206 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 29816?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 12 – Feb 26 and set transplants outside around Apr 16 – Apr 30, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 29816 get?

About 47.2 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Aiken 2.2 Nw station).

How hot do summers get in Bath, SC?

The average high peaks at 92 °F in July, with about 97 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 29816 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Bibb at the center of ZIP 29816: loamy sand, poorly drained, pH about 5.0 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Bath, SC in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 29816 came on Feb 14 in 2026, 10 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 4), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Bath, SC?