Frost dates for 38768Rome, MS
The average last spring frost in Rome is March 16 and the average first fall frost is November 12, giving a typical growing season of about 243 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 16
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 12
- Growing season
- 243 days
Safer after Apr 2 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 29 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 9 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 30 · Apr 14 | Oct 20 · Nov 2 · Nov 17 | 220 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Feb 26 · Mar 16 · Apr 2 | Oct 29 · Nov 12 · Dec 1 | 243 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Feb 10 · Mar 3 · Mar 21 | Nov 7 · Nov 24 · Dec 18 | 267 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Rome
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 13 – Apr 21 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 1 – Jul 23 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Feb 13 – Mar 16 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Apr 15 – May 16 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 2 – Mar 31 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Apr 15 – May 16 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Apr 15 – Aug 2 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 1 – May 16 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 15 – May 16 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 1 – Aug 25 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 1 – Jul 23 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Apr 15 – May 16 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 8 – May 1 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 13 – Mar 31 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Feb 13 – Apr 15 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 2 – Jan 29 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 2 – Mar 31 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 26 – Mar 1 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 2 – Mar 31 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 13 – Jul 23 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 12 – Aug 23 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 16 – Feb 13 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 13 – Mar 16 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 3 – Aug 2 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 2 – Sep 2 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 13 – May 1 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 2 – Sep 18 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 6 – Mar 22 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 19 – Sep 23 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 13 – Apr 5 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 2 – Oct 3 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 2 – Mar 22 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 26 – Sep 2 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 16 – May 1 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 3 – Aug 18 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Nov 2 – Dec 3 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 38768 is matched to the NOAA station Clarksdale, MS, 25.9 km away, at 173 ft elevation (25 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clarksdale, MS (used) | 173 ft | Mar 16 | Nov 12 |
| Cleveland 3 N, MS | 140 ft | Mar 15 | Nov 11 |
| Lambert 1W, MS | 155 ft | Mar 17 | Nov 7 |
| Minter City, MS | 145 ft | Mar 7 | Nov 17 |
Frost dates near Rome
- Parchman, MS 38738 · last Mar 14, first Nov 15
- Tutwiler, MS 38963 · last Mar 16, first Nov 12
- Sumner, MS 38957 · last Mar 17, first Nov 7
- Dublin, MS 38739 · last Mar 16, first Nov 12
- Drew, MS 38737 · last Mar 14, first Nov 15
- Webb, MS 38966 · last Mar 7, first Nov 17
- Vance, MS 38964 · last Mar 17, first Nov 7
- Glendora, MS 38928 · last Mar 7, first Nov 17
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Rome, MS?
- For ZIP code 38768, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 16, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Clarksdale, MS weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 2.
- When is the first frost in Rome, MS?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 12. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 29, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 38768?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 243 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.