Frost dates for 38803Tupelo, MS
The average last spring frost in Tupelo is March 21 and the average first fall frost is November 9, giving a typical growing season of about 233 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 21
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 9
- Growing season
- 233 days
Safer after Apr 6 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 27 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 6 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 17 · Apr 3 · Apr 20 | Oct 17 · Oct 30 · Nov 13 | 208 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 1 · Mar 21 · Apr 6 | Oct 27 · Nov 9 · Nov 29 | 233 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Feb 15 · Mar 6 · Mar 27 | Nov 6 · Nov 23 · Dec 16 | 262 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Tupelo
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 18 – Apr 26 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 6 – Jul 20 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Feb 18 – Mar 21 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Apr 20 – May 21 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 7 – Apr 5 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Apr 20 – May 21 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Apr 20 – Jul 30 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 6 – May 21 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 20 – May 21 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 6 – Aug 22 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 6 – Jul 20 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Apr 20 – May 21 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 13 – May 6 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 18 – Apr 5 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Feb 18 – Apr 20 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 7 – Feb 3 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 7 – Apr 5 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 31 – Mar 6 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 7 – Apr 5 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 10 – Jul 20 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 9 – Aug 20 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 21 – Feb 18 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 18 – Mar 21 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 30 – Jul 30 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 30 – Aug 30 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 18 – May 6 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 30 – Sep 15 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 11 – Mar 27 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 16 – Sep 20 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 18 – Apr 10 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 30 – Sep 30 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 7 – Mar 27 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 23 – Aug 30 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 21 – May 6 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 30 – Aug 15 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 30 – Nov 30 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 38803 is matched to the NOAA station Verona Exp Stn, MS, 5.6 km away, at 325 ft elevation (3 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Verona Exp Stn, MS (used) | 325 ft | Mar 21 | Nov 9 |
| Tupelo Rgnl Ap, MS | 361 ft | Mar 21 | Nov 10 |
| Tupelo 2, MS | 350 ft | Mar 21 | Nov 10 |
| Pontotoc Exp Stn, MS | 405 ft | Mar 28 | Nov 8 |
Frost dates near Tupelo
- Tupelo, MS 38802 · last Mar 21, first Nov 10
- Verona, MS 38879 · last Mar 21, first Nov 9
- Shannon, MS 38868 · last Mar 21, first Nov 9
- Plantersville, MS 38862 · last Mar 21, first Nov 9
- Belden, MS 38826 · last Mar 21, first Nov 10
- Pontotoc, MS 38863 · last Mar 28, first Nov 8
- Sherman, MS 38869 · last Mar 21, first Nov 10
- Mooreville, MS 38857 · last Apr 1, first Oct 31
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Tupelo, MS?
- For ZIP code 38803, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 21, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Verona Exp Stn, MS weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 6.
- When is the first frost in Tupelo, MS?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 9. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 27, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 38803?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 233 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.