Frost dates for 38685Waterford, MS
The average last spring frost in Waterford is March 15 and the average first fall frost is November 15, giving a typical growing season of about 244 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 15
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 15
- Growing season
- 244 days
Safer after Apr 4 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 31 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 12 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 12 · Mar 31 · Apr 20 | Oct 22 · Nov 4 · Nov 22 | 220 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Feb 27 · Mar 15 · Apr 4 | Oct 31 · Nov 15 · Dec 5 | 244 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Feb 10 · Mar 3 · Mar 21 | Nov 7 · Nov 28 · Dec 22 | 269 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Waterford
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 12 – Apr 20 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Mar 31 – Jul 26 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Feb 12 – Mar 15 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Apr 14 – May 15 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 1 – Mar 30 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Apr 14 – May 15 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Apr 14 – Aug 5 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Mar 31 – May 15 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 14 – May 15 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Mar 31 – Aug 28 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Mar 31 – Jul 26 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Apr 14 – May 15 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 7 – Apr 30 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 12 – Mar 30 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Feb 12 – Apr 14 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 1 – Jan 28 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 1 – Mar 30 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 25 – Feb 28 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 1 – Mar 30 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 16 – Jul 26 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 15 – Aug 26 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 15 – Feb 12 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 12 – Mar 15 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 6 – Aug 5 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 5 – Sep 5 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 12 – Apr 30 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 5 – Sep 21 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 5 – Mar 21 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 22 – Sep 26 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 12 – Apr 4 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 5 – Oct 6 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 1 – Mar 21 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 29 – Sep 5 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 15 – Apr 30 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 6 – Aug 21 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Nov 5 – Dec 6 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 38685 is matched to the NOAA station Sardis Dam, MS, 23.4 km away, at 303 ft elevation (18 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sardis Dam, MS (used) | 303 ft | Mar 15 | Nov 15 |
| University, MS | 408 ft | Apr 3 | Oct 31 |
| Independence 1W, MS | 345 ft | Apr 3 | Oct 31 |
| Senatobia, MS | 240 ft | Mar 20 | Nov 4 |
Frost dates near Waterford
- Abbeville, MS 38601 · last Apr 3, first Oct 31
- University, MS 38677 · last Apr 3, first Oct 31
- Tula, MS 38675 · last Apr 3, first Oct 31
- Holly Springs, MS 38635 · last Apr 6, first Oct 26
- Independence, MS 38638 · last Apr 3, first Oct 31
- Senatobia, MS 38668 · last Apr 3, first Oct 31
- Oxford, MS 38655 · last Apr 3, first Oct 31
- Como, MS 38619 · last Mar 15, first Nov 15
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Waterford, MS?
- For ZIP code 38685, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 15, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Sardis Dam, MS weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 4.
- When is the first frost in Waterford, MS?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 15. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 31, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 38685?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 244 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.