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

Planting zone for 29903 — Beaufort, SC

ZIP code 29903 (Beaufort, Beaufort County) is in USDA zone 9a: the coldest winter night averages 20 to 25 °F. The median last spring frost is February 28 and the first fall frost December 3.

Where ZIP 29903 is

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.

Zone9a20 to 25 °F

Coldest night−6.7 to −3.9 °C

Last frostFeb 28

First frostDec 3

2012 zone8b

Was 8b 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 9a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Beaufort, 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 Beaufort, SC

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostFebruary 28median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMarch 21only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostDecember 3median — 10% chance by Nov 14

Growing season279 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around February 8 and returns around December 27.

From the NOAA station Beaufort Mcas, SC — 3 miles away, elevation 36 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 29903

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Jan 17 – Jan 31

SpinachSow outdoors · Jan 17 – Feb 7

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Dec 20 – Jan 3

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Feb 7 – Feb 21

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Jan 31 – Feb 14

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Feb 7 – Feb 21

LettuceSow outdoors · Jan 31 – Feb 14

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Feb 7 – Feb 21

TomatoesStart indoors · Jan 3 – Jan 17

TomatoesTransplant · Mar 7 – Mar 21

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Dec 20 – Jan 3

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Mar 14 – Mar 28

BeansSow outdoors · Mar 7 – Mar 21

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Mar 7 – Mar 21

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Mar 7 – Mar 21

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Oct 8 – Oct 22

GarlicPlant cloves · Nov 19 – Dec 24

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Feb 28) and first fall frost (Dec 3) 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 29903 came on Jan 31 — about the same time as the 1991–2020 average (Jan 29).

average
Jan 292026
Jan 31

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 9a in South Carolina

578 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in South Carolina, and rated by the USDA to survive 20 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 9a. 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 Beaufort, SC.

Soil in Beaufort, SC

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 29903 is Seewee — fine sand, somewhat poorly drained.

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

pH5.1strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageSomewhat poorly drainedconsider raised beds

Organic matter2%moderate

Hydrologic groupA/Ddrains fast once dried out; wet otherwise

Farmland classPrime farmland if irrigatedUSDA classification

Map unit: Seewee fine 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 29903; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Beaufort, SC

Summer high92 °Faverage high, July

Winter low40 °Faverage low, January

Hot days73days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights17nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days6,582base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 17 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day10 h 01 mindaylight on December 21

Onions to growShort-daysummer days stay under about 14 h 20 min, so long-day varieties won’t bulb

Precipitation45 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: Beaufort Mcas, SC (3 mi away); precipitation: Beaufort Mcas, SC (3 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 9a.

Port Royal, SC · 5 mi

299389a

Hilton Head Island, SC · 6 mi

299059a

Parris Island, SC · 6 mi

All 6 ZIP codes in Beaufort → · South Carolina planting zones →

Questions about 29903

What planting zone is ZIP code 29903?

ZIP code 29903 (Beaufort, SC) is in USDA hardiness zone 9a on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches 20 to 25 °F (−6.7 to −3.9 °C).

When is the last frost in Beaufort, SC?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 29903 is February 28; after March 21 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Beaufort Mcas station.

When is the first frost in Beaufort, SC?

The median first fall frost near 29903 is December 3, giving a median frost-free growing season of 279 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 29903?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Jan 3 – Jan 17 and set transplants outside around Mar 7 – Mar 21, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 29903 get?

About 45 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Beaufort Mcas station).

How hot do summers get in Beaufort, SC?

The average high peaks at 92 °F in July, with about 73 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 29903 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Seewee at the center of ZIP 29903: fine sand, somewhat poorly drained, pH about 5.1 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Beaufort, SC in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 29903 came on Jan 31 in 2026, about the same as the 1991–2020 average (Jan 29), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Beaufort, SC?

Short-day onions: the longest day near 29903 is 14 h 17 min, so summer days stay under about 14 h 20 min, so long-day varieties won’t bulb.

Did the zone for 29903 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 29903 in zone 8b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 9a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.