Frost dates for 39442Laurel, MS
The average last spring frost in Laurel is March 12 and the average first fall frost is November 12, giving a typical growing season of about 244 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 12
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 12
- Growing season
- 244 days
Safer after Apr 1 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 30 (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 7 · Mar 28 · Apr 14 | Oct 21 · Nov 2 · Nov 18 | 218 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Feb 22 · Mar 12 · Apr 1 | Oct 30 · Nov 12 · Dec 1 | 244 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Jan 31 · Feb 28 · Mar 18 | Nov 4 · Nov 23 · Dec 21 | 271 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Laurel
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 9 – Apr 17 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Mar 28 – Jul 23 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Feb 9 – Mar 12 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Apr 11 – May 12 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Feb 26 – Mar 27 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Apr 11 – May 12 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Apr 11 – Aug 2 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Mar 28 – May 12 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 11 – May 12 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Mar 28 – Aug 25 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Mar 28 – Jul 23 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Apr 11 – May 12 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 4 – Apr 27 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 9 – Mar 27 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Feb 9 – Apr 11 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Dec 29 – Jan 25 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 26 – Mar 27 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 22 – Feb 25 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 26 – Mar 27 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 13 – Jul 23 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 12 – Aug 23 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 12 – Feb 9 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 9 – Mar 12 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 3 – Aug 2 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 2 – Sep 2 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 9 – Apr 27 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 2 – Sep 18 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 2 – Mar 18 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 19 – Sep 23 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 9 – Apr 1 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 2 – Oct 3 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 26 – Mar 18 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 26 – Sep 2 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 12 – Apr 27 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 3 – Aug 18 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Nov 2 – Dec 3 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 39442 is matched to the NOAA station Laurel, MS, 7.9 km away, at 225 ft elevation (12 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Laurel, MS (used) | 225 ft | Mar 12 | Nov 12 |
| Waynesboro 2 W, MS | 200 ft | Mar 17 | Nov 9 |
| Hattiesburg Chain Muni Ap, MS | 151 ft | Mar 8 | Nov 15 |
| Collins, MS | 290 ft | Mar 17 | Nov 12 |
Frost dates near Laurel
- Laurel, MS 39443 · last Mar 12, first Nov 12
- Sandersville, MS 39477 · last Mar 12, first Nov 12
- Moss, MS 39460 · last Mar 12, first Nov 12
- Ellisville, MS 39437 · last Mar 12, first Nov 12
- Heidelberg, MS 39439 · last Mar 12, first Nov 12
- Ovett, MS 39464 · last Mar 12, first Nov 12
- Soso, MS 39480 · last Mar 12, first Nov 12
- Stringer, MS 39481 · last Mar 12, first Nov 12
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Laurel, MS?
- For ZIP code 39442, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 12, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Laurel, MS weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 1.
- When is the first frost in Laurel, MS?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 12. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 30, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 39442?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 244 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.