Frost dates for 38880Wheeler, MS
The average last spring frost in Wheeler is April 1 and the average first fall frost is November 3, giving a typical growing season of about 216 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 1
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 3
- Growing season
- 216 days
Safer after Apr 16 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 21 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 0 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 29 · Apr 12 · Apr 29 | Oct 13 · Oct 25 · Nov 6 | 195 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 15 · Apr 1 · Apr 16 | Oct 21 · Nov 3 · Nov 18 | 216 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Feb 28 · Mar 20 · Apr 6 | Nov 1 · Nov 13 · Dec 1 | 239 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Wheeler
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 1 – May 7 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 17 – Jul 14 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Mar 1 – Apr 1 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | May 1 – Jun 1 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 18 – Apr 16 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 1 – Jun 1 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | May 1 – Jul 24 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 17 – Jun 1 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | May 1 – Jun 1 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 17 – Aug 16 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 17 – Jul 14 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | May 1 – Jun 1 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 24 – May 17 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 1 – Apr 16 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Mar 1 – May 1 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 18 – Feb 14 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 18 – Apr 16 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 11 – Mar 17 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 18 – Apr 16 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 4 – Jul 14 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 3 – Aug 14 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 1 – Mar 1 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 1 – Apr 1 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 24 – Jul 24 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 24 – Aug 24 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 1 – May 17 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 24 – Sep 9 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 22 – Apr 7 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 10 – Sep 14 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 1 – Apr 21 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 24 – Sep 24 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 18 – Apr 7 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 17 – Aug 24 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Apr 1 – May 17 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 24 – Aug 9 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 24 – Nov 24 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 38880 is matched to the NOAA station Booneville, MS, 3 km away, at 490 ft elevation (83 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Booneville, MS (used) | 490 ft | Apr 1 | Nov 3 |
| Corinth 7 Sw, MS | 385 ft | Apr 2 | Nov 1 |
| Ripley, MS | 525 ft | Apr 3 | Oct 30 |
| Iuka, MS | 600 ft | Apr 9 | Oct 28 |
Frost dates near Wheeler
- Booneville, MS 38829 · last Apr 1, first Nov 3
- Baldwyn, MS 38824 · last Apr 1, first Nov 3
- Marietta, MS 38856 · last Apr 1, first Nov 3
- New Site, MS 38859 · last Apr 1, first Nov 3
- Guntown, MS 38849 · last Mar 21, first Nov 10
- Rienzi, MS 38865 · last Apr 2, first Nov 1
- Dumas, MS 38625 · last Apr 3, first Oct 30
- Saltillo, MS 38866 · last Mar 21, first Nov 10
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Wheeler, MS?
- For ZIP code 38880, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 1, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Booneville, MS weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 16.
- When is the first frost in Wheeler, MS?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 3. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 21, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 38880?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 216 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.