Frost dates for 39298Jackson, MS
The average last spring frost in Jackson 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 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 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 39298 is matched to the NOAA station Jackson Intl Ap, MS, 8 km away, at 296 ft elevation (94 ft lower 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 |
| Canton 4N, MS | 250 ft | Mar 22 | Nov 6 |
| D'Lo 2 Sw, MS | 334 ft | Mar 10 | Nov 16 |
Frost dates near Jackson
- Brandon, MS 39042 · last Mar 14, first Nov 14
- Flowood, MS 39232 · last Mar 14, first Nov 14
- Pearl, MS 39208 · last Mar 14, first Nov 14
- Whitfield, MS 39193 · last Mar 14, first Nov 14
- Jackson, MS 39211 · last Mar 14, first Nov 14
- Ridgeland, MS 39157 · last Mar 6, first Nov 19
- Tougaloo, MS 39174 · last Mar 6, first Nov 19
- Richland, MS 39218 · last Mar 14, first Nov 14
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Jackson, MS?
- For ZIP code 39298, 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 Jackson, 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 39298?
- 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.