Frost dates for 38638Independence, MS
The average last spring frost in Independence is April 3 and the average first fall frost is October 31, giving a typical growing season of about 212 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 3
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 31
- Growing season
- 212 days
Safer after Apr 19 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 18 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 151 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 29 · Apr 14 · Apr 29 | Oct 8 · Oct 22 · Nov 4 | 192 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 15 · Apr 3 · Apr 19 | Oct 18 · Oct 31 · Nov 16 | 212 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Feb 28 · Mar 20 · Apr 6 | Oct 29 · Nov 10 · Nov 30 | 238 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Independence
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 | Mar 3 – May 9 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 19 – Jul 11 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 3 – Apr 3 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 3 – Jun 3 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 20 – Apr 18 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 3 – Jun 3 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 3 – Jul 21 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 19 – Jun 3 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 3 – Jun 3 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 19 – Aug 13 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 19 – Jul 11 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 3 – Jun 3 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 26 – May 19 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 3 – Apr 18 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 3 – May 3 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 20 – Feb 16 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 20 – Apr 18 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 13 – Mar 19 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 20 – Apr 18 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 1 – Jul 11 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 31 – Aug 11 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 3 – Mar 3 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 3 – Apr 3 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 21 – Jul 21 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 21 – Aug 21 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 3 – May 19 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 21 – Sep 6 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 24 – Apr 9 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 7 – Sep 11 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 3 – Apr 23 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 21 – Sep 21 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 20 – Apr 9 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 14 – Aug 21 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 3 – May 19 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 21 – Aug 6 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 21 – Nov 21 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 38638 is matched to the NOAA station Independence 1W, MS, 0.8 km away, at 345 ft elevation (17 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Independence 1W, MS (used) | 345 ft | Apr 3 | Oct 31 |
| Senatobia, MS | 240 ft | Mar 20 | Nov 4 |
| Hernando, MS | 380 ft | Mar 28 | Nov 5 |
| Olive Branch, MS | 385 ft | Mar 26 | Nov 6 |
Frost dates near Independence
- Senatobia, MS 38668 · last Apr 3, first Oct 31
- Coldwater, MS 38618 · last Mar 28, first Nov 5
- Hernando, MS 38632 · last Mar 28, first Nov 5
- Como, MS 38619 · last Mar 15, first Nov 15
- Byhalia, MS 38611 · last Mar 22, first Nov 7
- Arkabutla, MS 38602 · last Mar 28, first Nov 5
- Waterford, MS 38685 · last Mar 15, first Nov 15
- Victoria, MS 38679 · last Apr 6, first Oct 26
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Independence, MS?
- For ZIP code 38638, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 3, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Independence 1W, MS weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 19.
- When is the first frost in Independence, MS?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 31. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 18, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 38638?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 212 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.