Frost dates for 38852Iuka, MS
The average last spring frost in Iuka is April 9 and the average first fall frost is October 28, giving a typical growing season of about 203 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 9
- Average first fall frost
- Oct 28
- Growing season
- 203 days
Safer after Apr 24 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 15 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 157 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) | Apr 7 · Apr 20 · May 3 | Oct 7 · Oct 18 · Oct 31 | 182 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 23 · Apr 9 · Apr 24 | Oct 15 · Oct 28 · Nov 9 | 203 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Mar 11 · Mar 29 · Apr 13 | Oct 24 · Nov 5 · Nov 22 | 224 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Iuka
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 | Mar 9 – May 15 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 25 – Jul 8 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 9 – Apr 9 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 9 – Jun 9 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 26 – Apr 24 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 9 – Jun 9 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 9 – Jul 18 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 25 – Jun 9 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 9 – Jun 9 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 25 – Aug 10 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 25 – Jul 8 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 9 – Jun 9 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | May 2 – May 25 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 9 – Apr 24 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 9 – May 9 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 26 – Feb 22 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 26 – Apr 24 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 19 – Mar 25 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 26 – Apr 24 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 28 – Jul 8 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 28 – Aug 8 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 9 – Mar 9 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 9 – Apr 9 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 18 – Jul 18 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 18 – Aug 18 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 9 – May 25 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 18 – Sep 3 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 2 – Apr 15 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 4 – Sep 8 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 9 – Apr 29 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 18 – Sep 18 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 26 – Apr 15 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 11 – Aug 18 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 9 – May 25 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 18 – Aug 3 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 18 – Nov 18 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 38852 is matched to the NOAA station Iuka, MS, 5.1 km away, at 600 ft elevation (52 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Iuka, MS (used) | 600 ft | Apr 9 | Oct 28 |
| Booneville, MS | 490 ft | Apr 1 | Nov 3 |
| Corinth 7 Sw, MS | 385 ft | Apr 2 | Nov 1 |
| Savannah 6 Sw, TN | 420 ft | Mar 31 | Nov 1 |
Frost dates near Iuka
- Burnsville, MS 38833 · last Apr 9, first Oct 28
- Tishomingo, MS 38873 · last Apr 9, first Oct 28
- Cherokee, AL 35616 · last Apr 9, first Oct 28
- Glen, MS 38846 · last Apr 2, first Nov 1
- Pickwick Dam, TN 38365 · last Mar 31, first Nov 1
- Waterloo, AL 35677 · last Apr 9, first Oct 28
- Counce, TN 38326 · last Mar 31, first Nov 1
- Dennis, MS 38838 · last Apr 9, first Oct 28
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Iuka, MS?
- For ZIP code 38852, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 9, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Iuka, MS weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 24.
- When is the first frost in Iuka, MS?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is October 28. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 15, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 38852?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 203 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.