Frost dates for 39204Jackson, MS
The average last spring frost in Jackson is March 6 and the average first fall frost is November 19, giving a typical growing season of about 258 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 6
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 19
- Growing season
- 258 days
Safer after Mar 24 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Nov 4 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 16 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 2 · Mar 20 · Apr 7 | Oct 27 · Nov 9 · Nov 24 | 235 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Feb 15 · Mar 6 · Mar 24 | Nov 4 · Nov 19 · Dec 10 | 258 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Jan 23 · Feb 19 · Mar 13 | Nov 11 · Dec 4 · Jan 3 | 290 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Jackson
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 3 – Apr 11 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Mar 22 – Jul 30 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Feb 3 – Mar 6 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Apr 5 – May 6 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Feb 20 – Mar 21 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Apr 5 – May 6 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Apr 5 – Aug 9 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Mar 22 – May 6 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 5 – May 6 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Mar 22 – Sep 1 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Mar 22 – Jul 30 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Apr 5 – May 6 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Mar 29 – Apr 21 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 3 – Mar 21 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Feb 3 – Apr 5 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Dec 23 – Jan 19 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 20 – Mar 21 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 16 – Feb 19 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 20 – Mar 21 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 20 – Jul 30 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 19 – Aug 30 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 6 – Feb 3 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 3 – Mar 6 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 10 – Aug 9 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 9 – Sep 9 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 3 – Apr 21 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 9 – Sep 25 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 27 – Mar 12 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 26 – Sep 30 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 3 – Mar 26 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 9 – Oct 10 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 20 – Mar 12 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 2 – Sep 9 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 6 – Apr 21 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 10 – Aug 25 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Nov 9 – Dec 10 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 39204 is matched to the NOAA station Jackson Hawkins Fld, MS, 6 km away, at 342 ft elevation (12 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jackson Hawkins Fld, MS (used) | 342 ft | Mar 6 | Nov 19 |
| Jackson Intl Ap, MS | 296 ft | Mar 14 | Nov 14 |
| Oakley Exp Stn, MS | 205 ft | Mar 16 | Nov 6 |
| Crystal Spgs Exp Stn, MS | 487 ft | Mar 11 | Nov 16 |
Frost dates near Jackson
- Jackson, MS 39217 · last Mar 6, first Nov 19
- Richland, MS 39218 · last Mar 14, first Nov 14
- Pearl, MS 39288 · last Mar 14, first Nov 14
- Clinton, MS 39058 · last Mar 6, first Nov 19
- Byram, MS 39272 · last Mar 6, first Nov 19
- Flowood, MS 39232 · last Mar 14, first Nov 14
- Tougaloo, MS 39174 · last Mar 6, first Nov 19
- Whitfield, MS 39193 · last Mar 14, first Nov 14
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Jackson, MS?
- For ZIP code 39204, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 6, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Jackson Hawkins Fld, MS weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after March 24.
- When is the first frost in Jackson, MS?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 19. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by November 4, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 39204?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 258 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.