Frost dates for 38761Moorhead, MS
The average last spring frost in Moorhead 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 Moorhead
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 38761 is matched to the NOAA station Moorhead, MS, 3 km away, at 117 ft elevation (2 ft higher 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 |
| Belzoni, MS | 115 ft | Mar 3 | Nov 21 |
| Cleveland, MS | 138 ft | Mar 14 | Nov 15 |
| Stoneville Exp Stn, MS | 127 ft | Mar 11 | Nov 16 |
Frost dates near Moorhead
- Sunflower, MS 38778 · last Mar 8, first Nov 20
- Indianola, MS 38749 · last Mar 8, first Nov 20
- Itta Bena, MS 38941 · last Mar 8, first Nov 20
- Inverness, MS 38753 · last Mar 8, first Nov 20
- Doddsville, MS 38736 · last Mar 8, first Nov 20
- Morgan City, MS 38946 · last Mar 8, first Nov 20
- Swiftown, MS 38959 · last Mar 8, first Nov 20
- Schlater, MS 38952 · last Mar 7, first Nov 17
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Moorhead, MS?
- For ZIP code 38761, 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 Moorhead, 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 38761?
- 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.