Frost dates for 39146Pickens, MS
The average last spring frost in Pickens is March 14 and the average first fall frost is November 8, giving a typical growing season of about 239 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 14
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 8
- Growing season
- 239 days
Safer after Apr 6 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 26 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 5 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 11 · Apr 1 · Apr 19 | Oct 18 · Nov 1 · Nov 14 | 213 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Feb 25 · Mar 14 · Apr 6 | Oct 26 · Nov 8 · Nov 30 | 239 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Feb 6 · Feb 28 · Mar 19 | Nov 4 · Nov 23 · Dec 22 | 267 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Pickens
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 11 – Apr 19 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Mar 30 – Jul 19 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Feb 11 – Mar 14 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Apr 13 – May 14 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Feb 28 – Mar 29 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Apr 13 – May 14 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Apr 13 – Jul 29 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Mar 30 – May 14 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 13 – May 14 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Mar 30 – Aug 21 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Mar 30 – Jul 19 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Apr 13 – May 14 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 6 – Apr 29 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 11 – Mar 29 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Feb 11 – Apr 13 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Dec 31 – Jan 27 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 28 – Mar 29 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 24 – Feb 27 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 28 – Mar 29 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 9 – Jul 19 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 8 – Aug 19 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 14 – Feb 11 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 11 – Mar 14 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 29 – Jul 29 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 29 – Aug 29 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 11 – Apr 29 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 29 – Sep 14 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 4 – Mar 20 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 15 – Sep 19 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 11 – Apr 3 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 29 – Sep 29 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 28 – Mar 20 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 22 – Aug 29 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 14 – Apr 29 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 29 – Aug 14 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 29 – Nov 29 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 39146 is matched to the NOAA station Pickens, MS, 0.6 km away, at 238 ft elevation (8 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pickens, MS (used) | 238 ft | Mar 14 | Nov 8 |
| Canton 4N, MS | 250 ft | Mar 22 | Nov 6 |
| Lexington, MS | 285 ft | Mar 31 | Nov 1 |
| Yazoo City 5 Nne, MS | 107 ft | Mar 4 | Nov 24 |
Frost dates near Pickens
- Goodman, MS 39079 · last Mar 31, first Nov 1
- Camden, MS 39045 · last Mar 22, first Nov 6
- Vaughan, MS 39179 · last Mar 22, first Nov 6
- Sallis, MS 39160 · last Mar 18, first Nov 11
- Durant, MS 39063 · last Mar 31, first Nov 1
- Lexington, MS 39095 · last Mar 31, first Nov 1
- Thomastown, MS 39171 · last Mar 19, first Nov 7
- Sharon, MS 39163 · last Mar 22, first Nov 6
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Pickens, MS?
- For ZIP code 39146, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 14, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Pickens, MS weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 6.
- When is the first frost in Pickens, MS?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 8. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 26, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 39146?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 239 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.