Frost dates for 39501Gulfport, MS
The average last spring frost in Gulfport is February 18 and the average first fall frost is December 14, giving a typical growing season of about 300 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Feb 18
- Average first fall frost
- Dec 14
- Growing season
- 300 days
Safer after Mar 14 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Nov 18 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 41 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) | Feb 7 · Mar 5 · Mar 26 | Nov 6 · Nov 26 · Dec 22 | 267 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Jan 17 · Feb 18 · Mar 14 | Nov 18 · Dec 14 · Jan 13 | 300 days | 99% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Dec 31 · Jan 31 · Mar 2 | Dec 3 · Jan 2 · Feb 4 | 335 days | 84% |
Planting calendar for Gulfport
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 | Jan 18 – Mar 26 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Mar 6 – Aug 24 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Jan 18 – Feb 18 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Mar 20 – Apr 20 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Feb 4 – Mar 5 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Mar 20 – Apr 20 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Mar 20 – Sep 3 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Mar 6 – Apr 20 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Mar 20 – Apr 20 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Mar 6 – Sep 26 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Mar 6 – Aug 24 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Mar 20 – Apr 20 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Mar 13 – Apr 5 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 18 – Mar 5 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Jan 18 – Mar 20 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Dec 7 – Jan 3 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 4 – Mar 5 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Dec 31 – Feb 3 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 4 – Mar 5 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Aug 14 – Aug 24 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Sep 13 – Sep 24 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Dec 21 – Jan 18 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Jan 18 – Feb 18 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Aug 4 – Sep 3 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Sep 3 – Oct 4 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 18 – Apr 5 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Sep 3 – Oct 20 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 11 – Feb 24 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Sep 20 – Oct 25 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 18 – Mar 10 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Sep 3 – Nov 4 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 4 – Feb 24 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 27 – Oct 4 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 18 – Apr 5 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 4 – Sep 19 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Dec 4 – Jan 4 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 39501 is matched to the NOAA station Gulfport Naval Ctr, MS, 2.5 km away, at 35 ft elevation (15 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gulfport Naval Ctr, MS (used) | 35 ft | Feb 18 | Dec 14 |
| Gulfport - Biloxi Ap, MS | 42 ft | Feb 23 | Dec 3 |
| Biloxi, MS | 10 ft | Feb 12 | Dec 14 |
| Saucier Exp Forest, MS | 229 ft | Mar 7 | Nov 22 |
Frost dates near Gulfport
- Gulfport, MS 39502 · last Feb 23, first Dec 3
- Biloxi, MS 39535 · last Feb 23, first Dec 3
- Long Beach, MS 39560 · last Feb 18, first Dec 14
- Pass Christian, MS 39571 · last Feb 18, first Dec 14
- Diberville, MS 39540 · last Feb 12, first Dec 14
- Saucier, MS 39574 · last Mar 7, first Nov 22
- Ocean Springs, MS 39566 · last Feb 12, first Dec 14
- Diamondhead, MS 39525 · last Feb 21, first Dec 3
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Gulfport, MS?
- For ZIP code 39501, the average last spring frost (32°F) is February 18, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Gulfport Naval Ctr, MS weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after March 14.
- When is the first frost in Gulfport, MS?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is December 14. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by November 18, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 39501?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 300 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.