When Is the Last Frost in Mississippi?
The average last spring frost in Mississippi falls between March 6 and April 1 for most ZIP codes, with a statewide median of March 16. At the average date a later frost is still a coin flip, so tender plants wait for the safer 90% date.
| City | Last frost | 90% safe after | First frost | Growing season |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jackson | Mar 6 | Mar 24 | Nov 19 | 258 days |
| Gulfport | Feb 12 | Mar 11 | Dec 14 | 301 days |
| Southaven | Mar 16 | Apr 4 | Nov 16 | 244 days |
| Hattiesburg | Mar 7 | Mar 26 | Nov 23 | 261 days |
| Biloxi | Feb 12 | Mar 11 | Dec 14 | 301 days |
| Olive Branch | Mar 26 | Apr 11 | Nov 6 | 227 days |
| Tupelo | Mar 21 | Apr 7 | Nov 10 | 237 days |
| Meridian | Mar 16 | Apr 3 | Nov 12 | 239 days |
| Pearl | Mar 14 | Apr 2 | Nov 14 | 245 days |
| Madison | Mar 6 | Mar 24 | Nov 19 | 258 days |
| Greenville | Mar 13 | Mar 31 | Nov 15 | 247 days |
| Oxford | Apr 3 | Apr 21 | Oct 31 | 210 days |
| Starkville | Mar 23 | Apr 13 | Nov 8 | 233 days |
| Columbus | Mar 13 | Apr 2 | Nov 12 | 244 days |
| Pascagoula | Mar 8 | Mar 31 | Nov 19 | 256 days |
| Vicksburg | Feb 26 | Mar 16 | Nov 22 | 269 days |
| Laurel | Mar 12 | Apr 1 | Nov 12 | 244 days |
| Natchez | Mar 16 | Apr 6 | Nov 9 | 237 days |
Last and first frost: 50% (median) dates of the last spring and first fall 32 °F night. 90% safe after: only a 10% chance of a later spring frost. First frost dates in January fall in the following winter. Each city uses the NOAA station nearest the ZIP code closest to its center.
Across all 94 Mississippi weather stations with frost records, median last frost dates run from February 12 at Biloxi, MS to April 9 at Iuka, MS. Elevation, valleys that collect cold air and distance from large water bodies explain most of the spread, so a garden a few miles from a listed city can differ by a week or more. The ZIP code lookup above uses the same NOAA data as the frost date calculator for every US ZIP code.
When Is the First Frost in Mississippi?
The average first fall frost in Mississippi arrives between November 1 and November 20 for most ZIP codes, with a median of November 12. Tomatoes, peppers, basil and squash are damaged at 32 °F, so harvest or cover them before then.
Fall frost can come early: Jackson has a 10% chance of frost before November 4, Gulfport has a 10% chance of frost before November 16 and Southaven has a 10% chance of frost before November 2. Hardy crops such as kale, spinach and cabbage tolerate light frosts and keep producing after the first frost date.
When to Plant Tomatoes in Mississippi?
Transplant tomatoes in Mississippi 1 to 2 weeks after the local average last frost, once nights stay above about 50 °F: Mar 13 – Mar 20 in Jackson, Feb 19 – Feb 26 in Gulfport and Mar 23 – Mar 30 in Southaven. Start seeds indoors 6 to 8 weeks before the last frost.
| City | Start seeds indoors | Transplant outdoors | Lowest-risk transplant |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jackson | Jan 9 – Jan 23 | Mar 13 – Mar 20 | after Mar 24 |
| Gulfport | Dec 18 – Jan 1 | Feb 19 – Feb 26 | after Mar 11 |
| Southaven | Jan 19 – Feb 2 | Mar 23 – Mar 30 | after Apr 4 |
| Hattiesburg | Jan 10 – Jan 24 | Mar 14 – Mar 21 | after Mar 26 |
| Biloxi | Dec 18 – Jan 1 | Feb 19 – Feb 26 | after Mar 11 |
| Olive Branch | Jan 29 – Feb 12 | Apr 2 – Apr 9 | after Apr 11 |
| Tupelo | Jan 24 – Feb 7 | Mar 28 – Apr 4 | after Apr 7 |
| Meridian | Jan 19 – Feb 2 | Mar 23 – Mar 30 | after Apr 3 |
| Pearl | Jan 17 – Jan 31 | Mar 21 – Mar 28 | after Apr 2 |
| Madison | Jan 9 – Jan 23 | Mar 13 – Mar 20 | after Mar 24 |
| Greenville | Jan 16 – Jan 30 | Mar 20 – Mar 27 | after Mar 31 |
| Oxford | Feb 6 – Feb 20 | Apr 10 – Apr 17 | after Apr 21 |
| Starkville | Jan 26 – Feb 9 | Mar 30 – Apr 6 | after Apr 13 |
| Columbus | Jan 16 – Jan 30 | Mar 20 – Mar 27 | after Apr 2 |
| Pascagoula | Jan 11 – Jan 25 | Mar 15 – Mar 22 | after Mar 31 |
| Vicksburg | Jan 1 – Jan 15 | Mar 5 – Mar 12 | after Mar 16 |
| Laurel | Jan 15 – Jan 29 | Mar 19 – Mar 26 | after Apr 1 |
| Natchez | Jan 19 – Feb 2 | Mar 23 – Mar 30 | after Apr 6 |
Indoors: 6–8 weeks before the average last frost. Outdoors: 1–2 weeks after it. Lowest-risk: after the date with only a 10% chance of a later frost. Rules of thumb; check the 10-day forecast and wait for soil near 60 °F.
Tomatoes stall below about 50 °F at night and are killed by frost, so a week or two of waiting after the average date costs little. The tomato plant care guide covers light, watering and feeding once plants are in the ground. With a median growing season of 241 days, Mississippi gardeners often also set out a second tomato crop in mid-summer for fall harvest.
What Can You Plant in Jackson and When?
Jackson's average last frost of March 6 anchors its spring planting calendar: peas and spinach go in from January 23, broccoli and lettuce transplants from February 6, and tomatoes, peppers and squash after March 13.
| Crop | Start seeds indoors | Plant outdoors | Frost tolerance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Peas | — | Jan 23 – Feb 6direct sow, 4–6 weeks before last frost | hardy |
| Spinach | — | Jan 23 – Feb 13direct sow, 3–6 weeks before last frost | hardy |
| Radishes | — | Jan 30 – Feb 13direct sow, 3–5 weeks before last frost | hardy |
| Onions (sets) | — | Feb 6 – Feb 20plant, 2–4 weeks before last frost | hardy |
| Potatoes | — | Feb 6 – Feb 20plant, 2–4 weeks before last frost | half-hardy |
| Broccoli & cabbage | Jan 9 – Jan 23 | Feb 6 – Feb 20transplant, 2–4 weeks before last frost | hardy |
| Lettuce | Jan 23 – Feb 6 | Feb 6 – Feb 20transplant, 2–4 weeks before last frost | hardy |
| Beets | — | Feb 6 – Feb 20direct sow, 2–4 weeks before last frost | half-hardy |
| Carrots | — | Feb 13 – Feb 20direct sow, 2–3 weeks before last frost | half-hardy |
| Tomatoes | Jan 9 – Jan 23 | Mar 13 – Mar 20transplant, 1–2 weeks after last frost | tender |
| Basil | Jan 9 – Jan 23 | Mar 13 – Mar 27transplant, 1–3 weeks after last frost | tender |
| Peppers | Dec 26 – Jan 9 | Mar 20 – Mar 27transplant, 2–3 weeks after last frost | tender |
| Eggplant | Dec 26 – Jan 9 | Mar 20 – Mar 27transplant, 2–3 weeks after last frost | tender |
| Green beans | — | Mar 13 – Mar 27direct sow, 1–3 weeks after last frost | tender |
| Sweet corn | — | Mar 13 – Mar 27direct sow, 1–3 weeks after last frost | tender |
| Cucumbers | Feb 6 – Feb 13 | Mar 13 – Mar 27transplant, 1–3 weeks after last frost | tender |
| Squash & zucchini | Feb 6 – Feb 13 | Mar 13 – Mar 27transplant, 1–3 weeks after last frost | tender |
| Watermelon | Feb 6 – Feb 13 | Mar 20 – Mar 27transplant, 2–3 weeks after last frost | tender |
Dates for Jackson (last frost Mar 6, NOAA station Jackson Hawkins Fld, MS, 2 miles from ZIP 39203). General rules of thumb; wait for soil near 50 °F for most seeds and 60 °F for beans, corn and squash.
How Long Is the Growing Season in Mississippi?
The frost-free growing season in Mississippi lasts about 216 to 261 days for most ZIP codes, with a median of 241 days. Among the listed cities, Oxford has the shortest season at 210 days and Biloxi the longest at 301.
Season length decides which varieties ripen: compare it with the “days to maturity” on seed packets, counted from transplanting for tomatoes and peppers. NOAA stations in Mississippi range from 202 days at Hickory Flat, MS to 301 days at Biloxi, MS. Planning beds before the season starts helps in short seasons — a plant spacing calculator for vegetable beds shows how many transplants fit.
What Hardiness Zones Are in Mississippi?
Mississippi spans USDA hardiness zones 7b to 9a, with zone 8b the most common. Zones describe winter cold and decide which perennials survive, while frost dates set when to plant annual vegetables and flowers.
The Mississippi planting zone map with the zone of each city shows how the zones are spread across the state and which plants are hardy in all of them.
Frequently Asked Questions
- When is the last frost in Mississippi?
- The average last spring frost in Mississippi falls between March 6 and April 1 for most ZIP codes, with a statewide median of March 16. Among major cities it ranges from February 12 in Gulfport to April 3 in Oxford.
- When is the last frost in Jackson, Mississippi?
- Jackson's average last spring frost is March 6, and by March 24 the chance of a later frost drops to 10%. Its first fall frost averages November 19, giving a 258-day growing season (NOAA station Jackson Hawkins Fld, MS).
- When should you plant tomatoes in Mississippi?
- Transplant tomatoes in Mississippi 1 to 2 weeks after the local average last frost, once nights stay above about 50 °F: Mar 13 – Mar 20 in Jackson, Feb 19 – Feb 26 in Gulfport and Mar 23 – Mar 30 in Southaven. Start seeds indoors 6 to 8 weeks before the last frost.
- When is the first frost in Mississippi?
- The average first fall frost in Mississippi arrives between November 1 and November 20 for most ZIP codes, with a median of November 12. Harvest tender crops such as tomatoes, peppers and basil before then or cover them on cold nights.
- How long is the growing season in Mississippi?
- The frost-free growing season in Mississippi lasts about 216 to 261 days for most ZIP codes, with a median of 241 days, from 210 days in Oxford to 301 days in Biloxi.
Frost data: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, 1991–2020 U.S. Climate Normals (32 °F freeze dates by probability). ZIP code and city locations and populations: U.S. Census Bureau Gazetteer files and Vintage 2024 population estimates. Planting windows are general rules of thumb. PlantoScan is not affiliated with or endorsed by these agencies.