Frost dates for 38751Indianola, MS
The average last spring frost in Indianola is March 8 and the average first fall frost is November 20, giving a typical growing season of about 255 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 8
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 20
- Growing season
- 255 days
Safer after Mar 27 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Nov 4 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 17 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 1 · Mar 22 · Apr 7 | Oct 27 · Nov 8 · Nov 24 | 232 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Feb 17 · Mar 8 · Mar 27 | Nov 4 · Nov 20 · Dec 9 | 255 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Jan 31 · Feb 25 · Mar 15 | Nov 12 · Dec 3 · Jan 2 | 284 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Indianola
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 5 – Apr 13 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Mar 24 – Jul 31 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Feb 5 – Mar 8 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Apr 7 – May 8 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Feb 22 – Mar 23 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Apr 7 – May 8 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Apr 7 – Aug 10 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Mar 24 – May 8 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 7 – May 8 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Mar 24 – Sep 2 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Mar 24 – Jul 31 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Apr 7 – May 8 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Mar 31 – Apr 23 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 5 – Mar 23 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Feb 5 – Apr 7 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Dec 25 – Jan 21 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 22 – Mar 23 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 18 – Feb 21 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 22 – Mar 23 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 21 – Jul 31 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 20 – Aug 31 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 8 – Feb 5 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 5 – Mar 8 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 11 – Aug 10 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 10 – Sep 10 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 5 – Apr 23 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 10 – Sep 26 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 29 – Mar 14 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 27 – Oct 1 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 5 – Mar 28 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 10 – Oct 11 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 22 – Mar 14 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 3 – Sep 10 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 8 – Apr 23 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 11 – Aug 26 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Nov 10 – Dec 11 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 38751 is matched to the NOAA station Moorhead, MS, 13.5 km away, at 117 ft elevation (4 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Moorhead, MS (used) | 117 ft | Mar 8 | Nov 20 |
| Stoneville Exp Stn, MS | 127 ft | Mar 11 | Nov 16 |
| Greenville Asos, MS | 128 ft | Mar 12 | Nov 13 |
| Cleveland, MS | 138 ft | Mar 14 | Nov 15 |
Frost dates near Indianola
- Indianola, MS 38749 · last Mar 8, first Nov 20
- Inverness, MS 38753 · last Mar 8, first Nov 20
- Moorhead, MS 38761 · last Mar 8, first Nov 20
- Sunflower, MS 38778 · last Mar 8, first Nov 20
- Shaw, MS 38773 · last Mar 14, first Nov 15
- Leland, MS 38756 · last Mar 11, first Nov 16
- Isola, MS 38754 · last Mar 3, first Nov 21
- Doddsville, MS 38736 · last Mar 8, first Nov 20
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Indianola, MS?
- For ZIP code 38751, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 8, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Moorhead, MS weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after March 27.
- When is the first frost in Indianola, MS?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 20. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by November 4, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 38751?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 255 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.