Frost dates for 38965Water Valley, MS
The average last spring frost in Water Valley is April 1 and the average first fall frost is November 3, giving a typical growing season of about 219 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Apr 1
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 3
- Growing season
- 219 days
Safer after Apr 18 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 22 (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 13 · Apr 29 | Oct 13 · Oct 26 · Nov 7 | 195 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 9 · Apr 1 · Apr 18 | Oct 22 · Nov 3 · Nov 20 | 219 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Feb 24 · Mar 16 · Apr 4 | Oct 31 · Nov 14 · Dec 4 | 244 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Water Valley
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 38965 is matched to the NOAA station Water Valley, MS, 0.9 km away, at 310 ft elevation (71 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water Valley, MS (used) | 310 ft | Apr 1 | Nov 3 |
| University, MS | 408 ft | Apr 3 | Oct 31 |
| Sardis Dam, MS | 303 ft | Mar 15 | Nov 15 |
| Batesville 2 Sw, MS | 220 ft | Mar 28 | Nov 2 |
Frost dates near Water Valley
- Taylor, MS 38673 · last Apr 3, first Oct 31
- Paris, MS 38949 · last Apr 1, first Nov 3
- Banner, MS 38913 · last Apr 1, first Nov 3
- Oxford, MS 38655 · last Apr 3, first Oct 31
- Oakland, MS 38948 · last Apr 1, first Nov 3
- University, MS 38677 · last Apr 3, first Oct 31
- Coffeeville, MS 38922 · last Mar 28, first Nov 4
- Tula, MS 38675 · last Apr 3, first Oct 31
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Water Valley, MS?
- For ZIP code 38965, the average last spring frost (32°F) is April 1, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Water Valley, MS weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 18.
- When is the first frost in Water Valley, MS?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 3. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 22, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 38965?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 219 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.