Frost dates for 38731Chatham, MS
The average last spring frost in Chatham is March 13 and the average first fall frost is November 14, giving a typical growing season of about 244 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 13
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 14
- Growing season
- 244 days
Safer after Apr 5 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 30 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 11 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 8 · Mar 31 · Apr 18 | Oct 20 · Nov 3 · Nov 20 | 219 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Feb 23 · Mar 13 · Apr 5 | Oct 30 · Nov 14 · Dec 3 | 244 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Feb 4 · Feb 28 · Mar 24 | Nov 6 · Nov 29 · Dec 22 | 272 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Chatham
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 10 – Apr 18 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Mar 29 – Jul 25 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Feb 10 – Mar 13 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Apr 12 – May 13 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Feb 27 – Mar 28 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Apr 12 – May 13 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Apr 12 – Aug 4 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Mar 29 – May 13 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 12 – May 13 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Mar 29 – Aug 27 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Mar 29 – Jul 25 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Apr 12 – May 13 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 5 – Apr 28 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 10 – Mar 28 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Feb 10 – Apr 12 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Dec 30 – Jan 26 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 27 – Mar 28 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 23 – Feb 26 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 27 – Mar 28 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 15 – Jul 25 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 14 – Aug 25 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 13 – Feb 10 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 10 – Mar 13 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 5 – Aug 4 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 4 – Sep 4 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 10 – Apr 28 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 4 – Sep 20 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 3 – Mar 19 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 21 – Sep 25 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 10 – Apr 2 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 4 – Oct 5 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 27 – Mar 19 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 28 – Sep 4 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 13 – Apr 28 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 5 – Aug 20 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Nov 4 – Dec 5 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 38731 is matched to the NOAA station Eudora, AR, 15.4 km away, at 135 ft elevation (23 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eudora, AR (used) | 135 ft | Mar 13 | Nov 14 |
| Greenville, MS | 125 ft | Mar 13 | Nov 15 |
| Rolling Fork, MS | 105 ft | Mar 5 | Nov 20 |
| Lake Providence, LA | 100 ft | Mar 5 | Nov 24 |
Frost dates near Chatham
- Glen Allan, MS 38744 · last Mar 5, first Nov 20
- Avon, MS 38723 · last Mar 13, first Nov 15
- Eudora, AR 71640 · last Mar 13, first Nov 14
- Grace, MS 38745 · last Mar 5, first Nov 20
- Hollandale, MS 38748 · last Mar 5, first Nov 20
- Wayside, MS 38780 · last Mar 13, first Nov 15
- Panther Burn, MS 38765 · last Mar 5, first Nov 20
- Mayersville, MS 39113 · last Mar 5, first Nov 20
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Chatham, MS?
- For ZIP code 38731, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 13, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Eudora, AR weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 5.
- When is the first frost in Chatham, MS?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 14. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 30, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 38731?
- 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.