Frost dates for 38663Ripley, MS
The average last spring frost in Ripley is April 3 and the average first fall frost is October 30, giving a typical growing season of about 210 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 3
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 30
- Growing season
- 210 days
Safer after Apr 19 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 19 (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 31 · Apr 14 · Apr 30 | Oct 12 · Oct 22 · Nov 1 | 190 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 15 · Apr 3 · Apr 19 | Oct 19 · Oct 30 · Nov 14 | 210 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 1 · Mar 21 · Apr 9 | Oct 30 · Nov 10 · Nov 29 | 235 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Ripley
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 10 |
| 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 20 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 19 – Jun 3 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 3 – Jun 3 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 19 – Aug 12 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 19 – Jul 10 |
| 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) | Jun 30 – Jul 10 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 30 – Aug 10 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 3 – Mar 3 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 3 – Apr 3 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 20 – Jul 20 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 20 – Aug 20 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 3 – May 19 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 20 – Sep 5 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 24 – Apr 9 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 6 – Sep 10 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 3 – Apr 23 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 20 – Sep 20 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 20 – Apr 9 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 13 – Aug 20 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 3 – May 19 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 20 – Aug 5 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 20 – Nov 20 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 38663 is matched to the NOAA station Ripley, MS, 2.8 km away, at 525 ft elevation (26 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ripley, MS (used) | 525 ft | Apr 3 | Oct 30 |
| Ashland, MS | 603 ft | Mar 29 | Nov 6 |
| Hickory Flat, MS | 400 ft | Apr 8 | Oct 28 |
| Corinth 7 Sw, MS | 385 ft | Apr 2 | Nov 1 |
Frost dates near Ripley
- Falkner, MS 38629 · last Apr 3, first Oct 30
- Blue Mountain, MS 38610 · last Apr 3, first Oct 30
- Dumas, MS 38625 · last Apr 3, first Oct 30
- Tiplersville, MS 38674 · last Apr 3, first Oct 30
- Ashland, MS 38603 · last Mar 29, first Nov 6
- Walnut, MS 38683 · last Apr 3, first Oct 30
- Hickory Flat, MS 38633 · last Apr 8, first Oct 28
- Myrtle, MS 38650 · last Apr 8, first Oct 28
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Ripley, MS?
- For ZIP code 38663, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 3, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Ripley, MS weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 19.
- When is the first frost in Ripley, MS?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 30. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 19, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 38663?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 210 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.