Frost dates for 38609Belen, MS
The average last spring frost in Belen is March 17 and the average first fall frost is November 7, giving a typical growing season of about 233 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 17
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 7
- Growing season
- 233 days
Safer after Apr 5 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 22 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 6 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 11 · Apr 1 · Apr 18 | Oct 13 · Oct 28 · Nov 13 | 209 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Feb 28 · Mar 17 · Apr 5 | Oct 22 · Nov 7 · Nov 27 | 233 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Feb 13 · Mar 5 · Mar 24 | Oct 31 · Nov 20 · Dec 15 | 259 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Belen
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 14 – Apr 22 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 2 – Jul 18 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Feb 14 – Mar 17 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Apr 16 – May 17 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 3 – Apr 1 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Apr 16 – May 17 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Apr 16 – Jul 28 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 2 – May 17 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 16 – May 17 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 2 – Aug 20 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 2 – Jul 18 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Apr 16 – May 17 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 9 – May 2 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 14 – Apr 1 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Feb 14 – Apr 16 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 3 – Jan 30 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 3 – Apr 1 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 27 – Mar 2 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 3 – Apr 1 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 8 – Jul 18 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 7 – Aug 18 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 17 – Feb 14 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 14 – Mar 17 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 28 – Jul 28 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 28 – Aug 28 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 14 – May 2 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 28 – Sep 13 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 7 – Mar 23 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 14 – Sep 18 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 14 – Apr 6 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 28 – Sep 28 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 3 – Mar 23 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 21 – Aug 28 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 17 – May 2 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 28 – Aug 13 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 28 – Nov 28 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 38609 is matched to the NOAA station Lambert 1W, MS, 3.4 km away, at 155 ft elevation (6 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lambert 1W, MS (used) | 155 ft | Mar 17 | Nov 7 |
| Clarksdale, MS | 173 ft | Mar 16 | Nov 12 |
| Batesville 2 Sw, MS | 220 ft | Mar 28 | Nov 2 |
| Helena, AR | 195 ft | Mar 15 | Nov 16 |
Frost dates near Belen
- Marks, MS 38646 · last Mar 17, first Nov 7
- Lambert, MS 38643 · last Mar 17, first Nov 7
- Darling, MS 38623 · last Mar 17, first Nov 7
- Jonestown, MS 38639 · last Mar 17, first Nov 7
- Crowder, MS 38622 · last Mar 17, first Nov 7
- Vance, MS 38964 · last Mar 17, first Nov 7
- Falcon, MS 38628 · last Mar 17, first Nov 7
- Sledge, MS 38670 · last Mar 17, first Nov 7
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Belen, MS?
- For ZIP code 38609, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 17, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Lambert 1W, MS weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 5.
- When is the first frost in Belen, MS?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 7. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 22, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 38609?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 233 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.