Frost dates for 39218Richland, MS
The average last spring frost in Richland is March 14 and the average first fall frost is November 14, giving a typical growing season of about 245 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 14
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 14
- Growing season
- 245 days
Safer after Apr 2 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 31 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 11 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 9 · Mar 29 · Apr 16 | Oct 22 · Nov 3 · Nov 20 | 219 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Feb 22 · Mar 14 · Apr 2 | Oct 31 · Nov 14 · Dec 4 | 245 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Feb 2 · Feb 28 · Mar 17 | Nov 7 · Nov 28 · Dec 26 | 276 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Richland
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 25 |
| 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 – Aug 4 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Mar 30 – May 14 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 13 – May 14 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Mar 30 – Aug 27 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Mar 30 – Jul 25 |
| 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 15 – Jul 25 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 14 – Aug 25 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 14 – Feb 11 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 11 – Mar 14 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 5 – Aug 4 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 4 – Sep 4 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 11 – Apr 29 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 4 – Sep 20 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 4 – Mar 20 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 21 – Sep 25 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 11 – Apr 3 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 4 – Oct 5 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 28 – Mar 20 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 28 – Sep 4 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 14 – Apr 29 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 5 – Aug 20 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Nov 4 – Dec 5 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 39218 is matched to the NOAA station Jackson Intl Ap, MS, 12.7 km away, at 296 ft elevation (27 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jackson Intl Ap, MS (used) | 296 ft | Mar 14 | Nov 14 |
| Jackson Hawkins Fld, MS | 342 ft | Mar 6 | Nov 19 |
| Oakley Exp Stn, MS | 205 ft | Mar 16 | Nov 6 |
| D'Lo 2 Sw, MS | 334 ft | Mar 10 | Nov 16 |
Frost dates near Richland
- Pearl, MS 39288 · last Mar 14, first Nov 14
- Jackson, MS 39201 · last Mar 6, first Nov 19
- Whitfield, MS 39193 · last Mar 14, first Nov 14
- Florence, MS 39073 · last Mar 14, first Nov 14
- Byram, MS 39272 · last Mar 6, first Nov 19
- Flowood, MS 39232 · last Mar 14, first Nov 14
- Brandon, MS 39043 · last Mar 14, first Nov 14
- Star, MS 39167 · last Mar 10, first Nov 16
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Richland, MS?
- For ZIP code 39218, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 14, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Jackson Intl Ap, MS weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 2.
- When is the first frost in Richland, MS?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 14. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 31, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 39218?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 245 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.