Frost dates for 39304Meridian, 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 39304 is matched to the NOAA station Meridian Key Fld, MS, 13.3 km away, at 294 ft elevation (67 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
- Marion, MS 39342 · last Mar 16, first Nov 12
- Meridian, MS 39303 · 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
- Lauderdale, MS 39335 · last Mar 14, first Nov 12
- Collinsville, MS 39325 · last Mar 24, first Nov 5
- Cuba, AL 36907 · last Mar 14, first Nov 12
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Meridian, MS?
- For ZIP code 39304, 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 39304?
- 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.