Frost dates for 39327Decatur, MS
The average last spring frost in Decatur is March 24 and the average first fall frost is November 5, giving a typical growing season of about 228 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 24
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 5
- Growing season
- 228 days
Safer after Apr 10 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 23 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 2 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 20 · Apr 6 · Apr 24 | Oct 14 · Oct 27 · Nov 8 | 204 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 1 · Mar 24 · Apr 10 | Oct 23 · Nov 5 · Nov 25 | 228 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Feb 15 · Mar 9 · Mar 27 | Nov 1 · Nov 18 · Dec 9 | 255 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Decatur
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 21 – Apr 29 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 9 – Jul 16 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Feb 21 – Mar 24 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Apr 23 – May 24 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 10 – Apr 8 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Apr 23 – May 24 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Apr 23 – Jul 26 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 9 – May 24 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 23 – May 24 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 9 – Aug 18 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 9 – Jul 16 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Apr 23 – May 24 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 16 – May 9 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 21 – Apr 8 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Feb 21 – Apr 23 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 10 – Feb 6 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 10 – Apr 8 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 3 – Mar 9 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 10 – Apr 8 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 6 – Jul 16 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 5 – Aug 16 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 24 – Feb 21 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 21 – Mar 24 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 26 – Jul 26 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 26 – Aug 26 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 21 – May 9 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 26 – Sep 11 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 14 – Mar 30 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 12 – Sep 16 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 21 – Apr 13 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 26 – Sep 26 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 10 – Mar 30 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 19 – Aug 26 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 24 – May 9 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 26 – Aug 11 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 26 – Nov 26 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 39327 is matched to the NOAA station Newton 5 Ene, MS, 11.7 km away, at 374 ft elevation (39 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Newton 5 Ene, MS (used) | 374 ft | Mar 24 | Nov 5 |
| Newton Exp Stn, MS | 349 ft | Mar 25 | Nov 2 |
| Forest, MS | 450 ft | Mar 28 | Nov 2 |
| Meridian Key Fld, MS | 294 ft | Mar 16 | Nov 12 |
Frost dates near Decatur
- Little Rock, MS 39337 · last Mar 24, first Nov 5
- Newton, MS 39345 · last Mar 24, first Nov 5
- Conehatta, MS 39057 · last Mar 28, first Nov 2
- Hickory, MS 39332 · last Mar 25, first Nov 2
- Chunky, MS 39323 · last Mar 24, first Nov 5
- Lawrence, MS 39336 · last Mar 28, first Nov 2
- Union, MS 39365 · last Mar 20, first Nov 9
- Lake, MS 39092 · last Mar 28, first Nov 2
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Decatur, MS?
- For ZIP code 39327, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 24, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Newton 5 Ene, MS weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 10.
- When is the first frost in Decatur, MS?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 5. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 23, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 39327?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 228 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.