Frost dates for 39466Picayune, MS
The average last spring frost in Picayune is March 9 and the average first fall frost is November 18, giving a typical growing season of about 255 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 9
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 18
- Growing season
- 255 days
Safer after Mar 31 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Nov 3 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 15 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 3 · Mar 26 · Apr 16 | Oct 24 · Nov 7 · Nov 27 | 226 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Feb 17 · Mar 9 · Mar 31 | Nov 3 · Nov 18 · Dec 11 | 255 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Jan 27 · Feb 24 · Mar 16 | Nov 11 · Dec 3 · Jan 7 | 286 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Picayune
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 6 – Apr 14 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Mar 25 – Jul 29 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Feb 6 – Mar 9 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Apr 8 – May 9 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Feb 23 – Mar 24 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Apr 8 – May 9 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Apr 8 – Aug 8 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Mar 25 – May 9 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 8 – May 9 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Mar 25 – Aug 31 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Mar 25 – Jul 29 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Apr 8 – May 9 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 1 – Apr 24 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 6 – Mar 24 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Feb 6 – Apr 8 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Dec 26 – Jan 22 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 23 – Mar 24 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 19 – Feb 22 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 23 – Mar 24 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 19 – Jul 29 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 18 – Aug 29 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 9 – Feb 6 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 6 – Mar 9 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 9 – Aug 8 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 8 – Sep 8 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 6 – Apr 24 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 8 – Sep 24 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 30 – Mar 15 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 25 – Sep 29 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 6 – Mar 29 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 8 – Oct 9 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 23 – Mar 15 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 1 – Sep 8 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 9 – Apr 24 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 9 – Aug 24 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Nov 8 – Dec 9 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 39466 is matched to the NOAA station Picayune, MS, 1.5 km away, at 64 ft elevation (18 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Picayune, MS (used) | 64 ft | Mar 9 | Nov 18 |
| Bay St Louis Nasa, MS | 30 ft | Mar 6 | Nov 19 |
| Slidell Ap, LA | 27 ft | Mar 3 | Nov 21 |
| Bogalusa, LA | 100 ft | Mar 2 | Nov 23 |
Frost dates near Picayune
- Nicholson, MS 39463 · last Mar 6, first Nov 19
- Carriere, MS 39426 · last Mar 10, first Nov 21
- Mc Neill, MS 39457 · last Mar 2, first Nov 23
- Pearl River, LA 70452 · last Mar 3, first Nov 21
- Talisheek, LA 70464 · last Mar 12, first Nov 18
- Slidell, LA 70459 · last Mar 3, first Nov 21
- Mandeville, LA 70470 · last Mar 3, first Nov 21
- Sun, LA 70463 · last Mar 2, first Nov 23
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Picayune, MS?
- For ZIP code 39466, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 9, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Picayune, MS weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after March 31.
- When is the first frost in Picayune, MS?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 18. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by November 3, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 39466?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 255 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.