Frost dates for 38602Arkabutla, MS
The average last spring frost in Arkabutla is March 28 and the average first fall frost is November 5, giving a typical growing season of about 223 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 28
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 5
- Growing season
- 223 days
Safer after Apr 12 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 25 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 2 days
Frost risk by date
NOAA reports frost dates as probabilities. The middle date is the average (a 50% chance). For spring, the 10% date is a safer planting date: frost after it happens in about 1 year in 10. Light frost (36°F) can damage tender plants; a hard freeze (28°F) kills most annuals.
| Temperature | Last spring: 90% / 50% / 10% chance | First fall: 10% / 50% / 90% chance | Growing season (50%) | Years with at least one |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Light frost (36°F) | Mar 20 · Apr 6 · Apr 22 | Oct 16 · Oct 29 · Nov 9 | 204 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 6 · Mar 28 · Apr 12 | Oct 25 · Nov 5 · Nov 20 | 223 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Feb 24 · Mar 13 · Apr 1 | Nov 2 · Nov 16 · Dec 5 | 246 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Arkabutla
Planting windows from the University of Maryland Extension calendar, shifted to your average frost dates. Use them as a starting point and adjust for seed packet instructions and local conditions.
| Crop | Task | Window |
|---|---|---|
| Tomatoes | Start seeds indoors | Feb 25 – May 3 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 13 – Jul 16 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Feb 25 – Mar 28 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Apr 27 – May 28 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 14 – Apr 12 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Apr 27 – May 28 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Apr 27 – Jul 26 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 13 – May 28 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 27 – May 28 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 13 – Aug 18 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 13 – Jul 16 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Apr 27 – May 28 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 20 – May 13 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 25 – Apr 12 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Feb 25 – Apr 27 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 14 – Feb 10 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 14 – Apr 12 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 7 – Mar 13 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 14 – Apr 12 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 6 – Jul 16 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 5 – Aug 16 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 28 – Feb 25 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 25 – Mar 28 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 26 – Jul 26 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 26 – Aug 26 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 25 – May 13 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 26 – Sep 11 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 18 – Apr 3 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 12 – Sep 16 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 25 – Apr 17 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 26 – Sep 26 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 14 – Apr 3 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 19 – Aug 26 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 28 – May 13 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 26 – Aug 11 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 26 – Nov 26 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 38602 is matched to the NOAA station Hernando, MS, 15.8 km away, at 380 ft elevation (150 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hernando, MS (used) | 380 ft | Mar 28 | Nov 5 |
| Senatobia, MS | 240 ft | Mar 20 | Nov 4 |
| Tunica 2 N, MS | 206 ft | Mar 14 | Nov 15 |
| Independence 1W, MS | 345 ft | Apr 3 | Oct 31 |
Frost dates near Arkabutla
- Coldwater, MS 38618 · last Mar 28, first Nov 5
- Sarah, MS 38665 · last Mar 14, first Nov 15
- Hernando, MS 38632 · last Mar 28, first Nov 5
- Senatobia, MS 38668 · last Apr 3, first Oct 31
- Robinsonville, MS 38664 · last Mar 14, first Nov 15
- Lake Cormorant, MS 38641 · last Mar 28, first Nov 5
- Tunica, MS 38676 · last Mar 14, first Nov 15
- Nesbit, MS 38651 · last Mar 28, first Nov 5
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Arkabutla, MS?
- For ZIP code 38602, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 28, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Hernando, MS weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 12.
- When is the first frost in Arkabutla, MS?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 5. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 25, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 38602?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 223 days long.
- Are these frost dates a forecast?
- No. They are 30-year averages and probabilities from NOAA weather station records. Use them to plan, then watch your local forecast before planting tender crops or leaving them uncovered.