Frost dates for 39081Harriston, MS
The average last spring frost in Harriston is March 17 and the average first fall frost is November 12, giving a typical growing season of about 241 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 17
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 12
- Growing season
- 241 days
Safer after Apr 7 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 29 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 9 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 12 · Mar 31 · Apr 19 | Oct 20 · Nov 2 · Nov 17 | 217 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Feb 24 · Mar 17 · Apr 7 | Oct 29 · Nov 12 · Dec 1 | 241 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Feb 3 · Mar 1 · Mar 22 | Nov 5 · Nov 25 · Dec 27 | 271 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Harriston
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 14 – Apr 22 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 2 – Jul 23 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Feb 14 – Mar 17 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Apr 16 – May 17 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 3 – Apr 1 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Apr 16 – May 17 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Apr 16 – Aug 2 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 2 – May 17 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 16 – May 17 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 2 – Aug 25 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 2 – Jul 23 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Apr 16 – May 17 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 9 – May 2 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 14 – Apr 1 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Feb 14 – Apr 16 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 3 – Jan 30 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 3 – Apr 1 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 27 – Mar 2 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 3 – Apr 1 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 13 – Jul 23 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 12 – Aug 23 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 17 – Feb 14 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 14 – Mar 17 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 3 – Aug 2 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 2 – Sep 2 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 14 – May 2 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 2 – Sep 18 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 7 – Mar 23 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 19 – Sep 23 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 14 – Apr 6 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 2 – Oct 3 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 3 – Mar 23 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 26 – Sep 2 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 17 – May 2 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 3 – Aug 18 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Nov 2 – Dec 3 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 39081 is matched to the NOAA station Port Gibson 1 Ne, MS, 28.2 km away, at 120 ft elevation (142 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Port Gibson 1 Ne, MS (used) | 120 ft | Mar 17 | Nov 12 |
| St Joseph 3 N, LA | 78 ft | Mar 13 | Nov 10 |
| Natchez, MS | 195 ft | Mar 16 | Nov 9 |
| Meadville, MS | 345 ft | Mar 15 | Nov 12 |
Frost dates near Harriston
- Fayette, MS 39069 · last Mar 16, first Nov 9
- Lorman, MS 39096 · last Mar 13, first Nov 10
- Union Church, MS 39668 · last Mar 17, first Nov 12
- Pattison, MS 39144 · last Mar 17, first Nov 12
- Port Gibson, MS 39150 · last Mar 17, first Nov 12
- Roxie, MS 39661 · last Mar 16, first Nov 9
- Washington, MS 39190 · last Mar 16, first Nov 9
- Saint Joseph, LA 71366 · last Mar 13, first Nov 10
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Harriston, MS?
- For ZIP code 39081, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 17, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Port Gibson 1 Ne, MS weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 7.
- When is the first frost in Harriston, MS?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 12. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 29, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 39081?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 241 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.