Frost dates for 38868Shannon, MS
The average last spring frost in Shannon 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 Shannon
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 38868 is matched to the NOAA station Verona Exp Stn, MS, 5 km away, at 325 ft elevation (56 ft higher 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 Shannon
- Verona, MS 38879 · last Mar 21, first Nov 9
- Tupelo, MS 38803 · last Mar 21, first Nov 9
- Nettleton, MS 38858 · last Mar 21, first Nov 9
- Plantersville, MS 38862 · last Mar 21, first Nov 9
- Okolona, MS 38860 · last Mar 21, first Nov 9
- Van Vleet, MS 38877 · last Mar 28, first Nov 1
- Mooreville, MS 38857 · last Apr 1, first Oct 31
- Belden, MS 38826 · last Mar 21, first Nov 10
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Shannon, MS?
- For ZIP code 38868, 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 Shannon, 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 38868?
- 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.