When to Plant in Mississippi: Vegetable & Flower Planting Calendar
Quick answer
Plant around your local last spring frost: across the 427 Mississippi ZIP codes where frost comes in most years, the median is Mar 16 and the median first fall frost is Nov 12 (nearest NOAA station, 1991–2020). Transplant tomatoes 1–2 weeks after your last frost: Zone 8 areas: Mar 23 – Mar 30; Zone 9 areas: Mar 8 – Mar 15.
Mississippi spans USDA hardiness zones 7b–9a on the 2023 USDA map (by ZIP code, via PRISM). For the 427 of its 427 ZIP codes where frost comes in most years, the nearest NOAA station’s median last spring frost (32°F, 1991–2020) is Mar 16 (middle 80% of ZIP codes: Mar 6 – Apr 1) and the median first fall frost is Nov 12 (Nov 1 – Nov 20). Use this guide to time seed-starting, transplanting and fall planting.
Where these dates come from: every date range is counted from the median (50% probability) 32°F last spring and first fall frost dates in NOAA’s 1991–2020 U.S. Climate Normals for the area shown. The rule under each date, such as “4–6 weeks before last frost,” shows how it was counted. These are averages: in about half of years a frost still comes after the spring date, and elevation, nearby water and microclimate can shift your yard by a week or more. For dates for your exact location, enter your ZIP code in the planner.
How we count planting dates: the weeks before or after frost for each crop come from university extension planting guides: UNH Extension, When to Plant Your Vegetable Garden; Rutgers FS787, Starting Vegetable Seeds Indoors; Virginia Tech 426-331, Home Garden Vegetable Planting Guide; University of Maryland Extension, Vegetable Planting Calendar; and University of Idaho CIS 1209 (marigolds and zinnias). Bulb windows approximate Rutgers’ rule to plant when soil falls below 60°F (FS1220), and garlic follows SDSU, Illinois and Virginia Tech. Temperature notes: UMD (potatoes), UMN (sweet corn), UC ANR (peppers, hardening off), UMN (eggplant), Colorado State (tomatoes) and SDSU (hardening off).
Mississippi frost dates by zone area
| Zone areas | Most common nearest NOAA stations | Median last spring frost (32°F) | Median first fall frost (32°F) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 8 (371 ZIP codes) | Jackson Hawkins Fld, MS, Lambert 1W, MS, Minter City, MS | Mar 16middle 80%: Mar 6 – Mar 30 | Nov 12middle 80%: Nov 2 – Nov 19 |
| Zone 9 (34 ZIP codes) | Biloxi, MS, Waveland, MS, Pascagoula Lott Intl Airport, MS | Mar 1middle 80%: Feb 12 – Mar 11 | Nov 24middle 80%: Nov 17 – Dec 14 |
Source: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI), U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, annual/seasonal freeze-date probabilities (32°F, 50% probability). Station-level medians; your yard may differ.
How this table is built: each Mississippi ZIP code is matched to its nearest NOAA 1991–2020 freeze-data station (within 60 miles) and grouped by its 2023 USDA hardiness zone; dates are medians across the ZIP codes in each group. Zone groups with fewer than 5% of ZIP codes (17 ZIP codes) are left out of the columns. Some nearest stations are across the state line (Chatom, AL, Eudora, AR, Gainesville 2 Ne, AL, Helena, AR, Lake Providence, LA, Memphis Intl Airport, TN…). For your own ZIP, use the planner.
Mississippi vegetable planting calendar
Planting dates for each zone area of Mississippi, counted from that area’s median frost dates (shown under each column). Rows run in calendar order. For your exact dates, enter your ZIP.
| Plant, task and rule | Zone 8 areasLast frost Mar 16 · First frost Nov 12 | Zone 9 areasLast frost Mar 1 · First frost Nov 24 |
|---|---|---|
| Broccoli · Start indoors8–10 weeks before last frost | Jan 5 – Jan 19 | Dec 21 – Jan 4 |
| Cabbage · Start indoors8–10 weeks before last frost | Jan 5 – Jan 19 | Dec 21 – Jan 4 |
| Kale · Start indoors8–10 weeks before last frost | Jan 5 – Jan 19 | Dec 21 – Jan 4 |
| Tomatoes · Start indoors6–8 weeks before last frost | Jan 19 – Feb 2 | Jan 4 – Jan 18 |
| Peppers · Start indoors6–8 weeks before last frost | Jan 19 – Feb 2 | Jan 4 – Jan 18 |
| Eggplant · Start indoors6–8 weeks before last frost | Jan 19 – Feb 2 | Jan 4 – Jan 18 |
| Peas · Direct sow4–6 weeks before last frost | Feb 2 – Feb 16Harvest (est.) Apr 3 – May 7 | Jan 18 – Feb 1Harvest (est.) Mar 19 – Apr 22 |
| Spinach · Direct sow4–6 weeks before last frost | Feb 2 – Feb 16Harvest (est.) Mar 19 – Apr 17 | Jan 18 – Feb 1Harvest (est.) Mar 4 – Apr 2 |
| Basil · Start indoors4–6 weeks before last frost | Feb 2 – Feb 16 | Jan 18 – Feb 1 |
| Radishes · Direct sow2–5 weeks before last frost | Feb 9 – Mar 2Harvest (est.) Mar 1 – Apr 1 | Jan 25 – Feb 15Harvest (est.) Feb 14 – Mar 17 |
| Lettuce · Direct sow2–4 weeks before last frost | Feb 16 – Mar 2Harvest (est.) Apr 17 – May 21 | Feb 1 – Feb 15Harvest (est.) Apr 2 – May 6 |
| Onions (sets/transplants) · Plant sets/transplants2–4 weeks before last frost | Feb 16 – Mar 2Harvest (est.) May 12 – Jun 30 | Feb 1 – Feb 15Harvest (est.) Apr 27 – Jun 15 |
| Broccoli · Transplant2–4 weeks before last frost | Feb 16 – Mar 2Harvest (est.) Apr 7 – May 11 | Feb 1 – Feb 15Harvest (est.) Mar 23 – Apr 26 |
| Cabbage · Transplant2–4 weeks before last frost | Feb 16 – Mar 2Harvest (est.) Apr 27 – May 31 | Feb 1 – Feb 15Harvest (est.) Apr 12 – May 16 |
| Kale · Transplant2–4 weeks before last frost | Feb 16 – Mar 2 | Feb 1 – Feb 15 |
| Marigolds · Start indoors0–3 weeks before last frost (3–4 weeks before setting out; Univ. of Idaho) | Feb 23 – Mar 16 | Feb 8 – Mar 1 |
| Zinnias · Start indoors0–3 weeks before last frost (3–4 weeks before setting out; Univ. of Idaho) | Feb 23 – Mar 16 | Feb 8 – Mar 1 |
| Potatoes · Plant seed potatoes1–2 weeks before last frost | Mar 2 – Mar 9Harvest (est.) May 26 – Jun 27 | Feb 15 – Feb 22Harvest (est.) May 11 – Jun 12 |
| Marigolds · Direct sow / transplantfrom the last frost to 2 weeks after (Univ. of Idaho) | Mar 16 – Mar 30 | Mar 1 – Mar 15 |
| Zinnias · Direct sow / transplantfrom the last frost to 2 weeks after (Univ. of Idaho) | Mar 16 – Mar 30 | Mar 1 – Mar 15 |
| Tomatoes · Transplant1–2 weeks after last frost | Mar 23 – Mar 30Harvest (est.) Jun 1 – Jun 28 | Mar 8 – Mar 15Harvest (est.) May 17 – Jun 13 |
| Beans (bush & pole) · Direct sow1–2 weeks after last frost | Mar 23 – Mar 30Harvest (est.) May 7 – Jun 8 | Mar 8 – Mar 15Harvest (est.) Apr 22 – May 24 |
| Sweet corn · Direct sow1–2 weeks after last frost | Mar 23 – Mar 30Harvest (est.) May 27 – Jun 28 | Mar 8 – Mar 15Harvest (est.) May 12 – Jun 13 |
| Cucumbers · Direct sow1–2 weeks after last frost | Mar 23 – Mar 30Harvest (est.) May 2 – Jun 3 | Mar 8 – Mar 15Harvest (est.) Apr 17 – May 19 |
| Squash · Direct sow1–2 weeks after last frost | Mar 23 – Mar 30Harvest (est.) May 2 – May 19 | Mar 8 – Mar 15Harvest (est.) Apr 17 – May 4 |
| Pumpkins · Direct sow1–3 weeks after last frost | Mar 23 – Apr 6Harvest (est.) Jun 11 – Jul 15 | Mar 8 – Mar 22Harvest (est.) May 27 – Jun 30 |
| Basil · Transplant1–2 weeks after last frost | Mar 23 – Mar 30Harvest (est.) May 4 – May 11 | Mar 8 – Mar 15Harvest (est.) Apr 19 – Apr 26 |
| Peppers · Transplant2–3 weeks after last frost | Mar 30 – Apr 6Harvest (est.) Jun 3 – Jun 20 | Mar 15 – Mar 22Harvest (est.) May 19 – Jun 5 |
| Eggplant · Transplant2–3 weeks after last frost | Mar 30 – Apr 6Harvest (est.) Jun 8 – Jul 5 | Mar 15 – Mar 22Harvest (est.) May 24 – Jun 20 |
| Broccoli · Fall transplant10–12 weeks before first fall frost | Aug 20 – Sep 3Harvest (est.) Oct 9 – Nov 12 | Sep 1 – Sep 15Harvest (est.) Oct 21 – Nov 24 |
| Cabbage · Fall transplant10–12 weeks before first fall frost | Aug 20 – Sep 3Harvest (est.) Oct 29 – Dec 2 | Sep 1 – Sep 15Harvest (est.) Nov 10 – Dec 14 |
| Kale · Fall sow8–10 weeks before first fall frost | Sep 3 – Sep 17Harvest (est.) Oct 23 – Nov 26 | Sep 15 – Sep 29Harvest (est.) Nov 4 – Dec 8 |
| Lettuce · Fall sow6–8 weeks before first fall frost | Sep 17 – Oct 1Harvest (est.) Nov 16 – Dec 20 | Sep 29 – Oct 13Harvest (est.) Nov 28 – Jan 1, 2027 |
| Spinach · Fall sow4–7 weeks before first fall frost (Virginia Tech) | Sep 24 – Oct 15Harvest (est.) Nov 8 – Dec 14 | Oct 6 – Oct 27Harvest (est.) Nov 20 – Dec 26 |
| Radishes · Fall sow4–6 weeks before first fall frost | Oct 1 – Oct 15Harvest (est.) Oct 21 – Nov 14 | Oct 13 – Oct 27Harvest (est.) Nov 2 – Nov 26 |
| Daffodils · Fall plant bulbs4 weeks before to 2 weeks after first fall frost (our approximation of when soil falls below 60°F; Rutgers) | Oct 15 – Nov 26 | Oct 27 – Dec 8 |
| Tulips · Fall plant bulbs2 weeks before to 4 weeks after first fall frost (our approximation of when soil falls below 60°F; Rutgers) | Oct 29 – Dec 10 | Nov 10 – Dec 22 |
| Garlic · Fall plant cloves2 weeks before to 3 weeks after first fall frost, while the soil is still workable (SDSU, Illinois, Virginia Tech) | Oct 29 – Dec 3Harvest (est.) Jul 6, 2027 – Aug 30, 2027 | Nov 10 – Dec 15Harvest (est.) Jul 18, 2027 – Sep 11, 2027 |
About the harvest estimates
Each expected harvest window adds the days to harvest from the sources below to the planting window. Days count from sowing seed (or planting seed potatoes, onion sets or garlic cloves) or, where marked, from setting transplants out; “Start indoors” rows have no harvest of their own. Harvest timing varies with variety and weather, and many crops keep producing for weeks after the first picking. For frost-tender crops (tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, beans, sweet corn, cucumbers, squash, pumpkins, basil) the window stops at the first fall frost: harvest may end early at the first fall frost. Flowers and bulbs show no harvest window, and kale has no sourced figure for spring transplants.
Sources: UF/IFAS Extension, Florida Vegetable Gardening Guide (SP103/VH021), Table 1, “Days to Harvest”; University of Maryland Extension, Growing Onions in a Home Garden; University of Maryland Extension, Growing Garlic in a Home Garden; University of Maryland Extension, Growing Basil in a Home Garden.
Growing notes for each crop
- Peas: Tolerates light frost; sow when soil is workable
- Spinach: Fall crop too: sow 4–7 weeks before first fall frost (Virginia Tech)
- Lettuce: Bolts in heat; succession sow; fall crop too
- Radishes: Fast (3–4 weeks); sow again for fall (see Fall sow dates)
- Kale: Fall crop too (see Fall sow dates); frost sweetens leaves
- Onions (sets/transplants): Choose day-length type suited to your latitude
- Potatoes: Soil at least 45°F (UMD); hill as plants grow
- Broccoli: Cool-season; harden off; good fall crop
- Cabbage: Cool-season; harden off; good fall crop
- Tomatoes: Wait for nights reliably above about 52°F (Colorado State)
- Peppers: Need warm soil: about 65°F is optimal for transplanting (UC ANR)
- Eggplant: Transplant after nights stay above 50°F (UMN)
- Beans (bush & pole): Seeds rot in cold, wet soil
- Sweet corn: Soil 60°F+ (UNH, UMN); plant in blocks for pollination
- Cucumbers: Frost-tender; watch for cucumber beetles
- Squash: Frost-tender; watch for squash vine borer
- Pumpkins: For October pumpkins, many sow in late May–June
- Basil: Very cold-sensitive
- Marigolds: Easy warm-season annual
- Zinnias: Easy warm-season annual
- Tulips: Our frost-date window is an approximation of that soil rule. In zone 9, chill bulbs 12–16 weeks first (Clemson)
- Daffodils: Our frost-date window is an approximation of that soil rule; slightly earlier than tulips is fine
- Garlic: Harvest the following early summer
Mississippi USDA zone guides: Zone 7 planting guide Zone 8 planting guide Zone 9 planting guide
How we count planting dates: the weeks before or after frost for each crop come from university extension planting guides: UNH Extension, When to Plant Your Vegetable Garden; Rutgers FS787, Starting Vegetable Seeds Indoors; Virginia Tech 426-331, Home Garden Vegetable Planting Guide; University of Maryland Extension, Vegetable Planting Calendar; and University of Idaho CIS 1209 (marigolds and zinnias). Bulb windows approximate Rutgers’ rule to plant when soil falls below 60°F (FS1220), and garlic follows SDSU, Illinois and Virginia Tech. Temperature notes: UMD (potatoes), UMN (sweet corn), UC ANR (peppers, hardening off), UMN (eggplant), Colorado State (tomatoes) and SDSU (hardening off).
Tips for Mississippi gardeners
- Watch soil temperature, not just the calendar — warm-season crops stall in cold soil. An inexpensive soil thermometer helps.
- Harden off transplants over 7–10 days before planting out (UC ANR, SDSU).
- Ask your local Cooperative Extension office about varieties and timing for your county; find it in the USDA NIFA land-grant university directory.
- Keep weeds down early — see our weed identification guide.
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Mississippi?
Across the 427 Mississippi ZIP codes where frost comes in most years, the median last spring frost (32°F, NOAA 1991–2020) at the nearest station is Mar 16, and the middle 80% of ZIP codes range from Mar 6 to Apr 1. Check the average for your ZIP code, and remember frost can occur after the average date.
When can I plant tomatoes in Mississippi?
Transplant tomatoes outdoors 1–2 weeks after your average last frost, once nights stay above about 52°F (Colorado State). Typical dates: Zone 8 areas: Mar 23 – Mar 30; Zone 9 areas: Mar 8 – Mar 15.
What USDA zone is Mississippi?
Mississippi spans roughly USDA hardiness zones 7b–9a on the 2023 USDA map (by ZIP code, via PRISM). Hardiness zones describe winter low temperatures, not frost dates.
Other state planting calendars
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