Frost dates for 39302Meridian, MS
The average last spring frost in Meridian is March 16 and the average first fall frost is November 12, giving a typical growing season of about 239 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 16
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 12
- Growing season
- 239 days
Safer after Apr 3 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 29 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 9 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 12 · Mar 31 · Apr 17 | Oct 19 · Nov 1 · Nov 17 | 215 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Feb 24 · Mar 16 · Apr 3 | Oct 29 · Nov 12 · Dec 2 | 239 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Feb 1 · Feb 28 · Mar 21 | Nov 7 · Nov 27 · Dec 27 | 271 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Meridian
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 13 – Apr 21 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 1 – Jul 23 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Feb 13 – Mar 16 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Apr 15 – May 16 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 2 – Mar 31 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Apr 15 – May 16 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Apr 15 – Aug 2 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 1 – May 16 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 15 – May 16 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 1 – Aug 25 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 1 – Jul 23 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Apr 15 – May 16 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 8 – May 1 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 13 – Mar 31 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Feb 13 – Apr 15 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 2 – Jan 29 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 2 – Mar 31 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 26 – Mar 1 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 2 – Mar 31 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 13 – Jul 23 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 12 – Aug 23 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 16 – Feb 13 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 13 – Mar 16 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 3 – Aug 2 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 2 – Sep 2 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 13 – May 1 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 2 – Sep 18 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 6 – Mar 22 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 19 – Sep 23 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 13 – Apr 5 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 2 – Oct 3 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 2 – Mar 22 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 26 – Sep 2 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 16 – May 1 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 3 – Aug 18 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Nov 2 – Dec 3 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 39302 is matched to the NOAA station Meridian Key Fld, MS, 5 km away, at 294 ft elevation (47 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Meridian Key Fld, MS (used) | 294 ft | Mar 16 | Nov 12 |
| Meridian Naas, MS | 271 ft | Mar 14 | Nov 12 |
| Quitman 2 Nne, MS | 213 ft | Mar 18 | Nov 10 |
| Newton 5 Ene, MS | 374 ft | Mar 24 | Nov 5 |
Frost dates near Meridian
- Meridian, MS 39307 · last Mar 16, first Nov 12
- Marion, MS 39342 · last Mar 16, first Nov 12
- Bailey, MS 39320 · last Mar 16, first Nov 12
- Daleville, MS 39326 · last Mar 14, first Nov 12
- Toomsuba, MS 39364 · last Mar 14, first Nov 12
- Chunky, MS 39323 · last Mar 24, first Nov 5
- Stonewall, MS 39363 · last Mar 18, first Nov 10
- Lauderdale, MS 39335 · last Mar 14, first Nov 12
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Meridian, MS?
- For ZIP code 39302, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 16, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Meridian Key Fld, MS weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 3.
- When is the first frost in Meridian, MS?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 12. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 29, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 39302?
- 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.