Frost dates for 39117Morton, MS
The average last spring frost in Morton is March 28 and the average first fall frost is November 2, giving a typical growing season of about 221 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 28
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 2
- Growing season
- 221 days
Safer after Apr 20 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 20 (1-in-10 risk)
Last frost typically in 145 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 23 · Apr 11 · Apr 30 | Oct 12 · Oct 24 · Nov 7 | 196 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 7 · Mar 28 · Apr 20 | Oct 20 · Nov 2 · Nov 18 | 221 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Feb 18 · Mar 14 · Apr 3 | Oct 31 · Nov 12 · Dec 1 | 247 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Morton
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 25 – May 3 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 13 – Jul 13 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Feb 25 – Mar 28 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Apr 27 – May 28 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 14 – Apr 12 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Apr 27 – May 28 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Apr 27 – Jul 23 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 13 – May 28 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 27 – May 28 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 13 – Aug 15 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 13 – Jul 13 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Apr 27 – May 28 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 20 – May 13 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 25 – Apr 12 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Feb 25 – Apr 27 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 14 – Feb 10 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 14 – Apr 12 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 7 – Mar 13 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 14 – Apr 12 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 3 – Jul 13 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 2 – Aug 13 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 28 – Feb 25 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 25 – Mar 28 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 23 – Jul 23 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 23 – Aug 23 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 25 – May 13 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 23 – Sep 8 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 18 – Apr 3 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 9 – Sep 13 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 25 – Apr 17 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 23 – Sep 23 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 14 – Apr 3 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 16 – Aug 23 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 28 – May 13 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 23 – Aug 8 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 23 – Nov 23 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 39117 is matched to the NOAA station Forest, MS, 17 km away, at 450 ft elevation (24 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forest, MS (used) | 450 ft | Mar 28 | Nov 2 |
| Raleigh 6N, MS | 446 ft | Mar 28 | Nov 3 |
| Carthage, MS | 370 ft | Mar 19 | Nov 7 |
| Jackson Intl Ap, MS | 296 ft | Mar 14 | Nov 14 |
Frost dates near Morton
- Hillsboro, MS 39087 · last Mar 28, first Nov 2
- Forest, MS 39074 · last Mar 28, first Nov 2
- Harperville, MS 39080 · last Mar 28, first Nov 2
- Pulaski, MS 39152 · last Mar 28, first Nov 3
- Pelahatchie, MS 39145 · last Mar 14, first Nov 14
- Ludlow, MS 39098 · last Mar 19, first Nov 7
- Lake, MS 39092 · last Mar 28, first Nov 2
- Lena, MS 39094 · last Mar 19, first Nov 7
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Morton, MS?
- For ZIP code 39117, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 28, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Forest, MS weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 20.
- When is the first frost in Morton, MS?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 2. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 20, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 39117?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 221 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.