Frost dates for 39502Gulfport, MS
The average last spring frost in Gulfport is February 23 and the average first fall frost is December 3, giving a typical growing season of about 287 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Feb 23
- Average first fall frost
- Dec 3
- Growing season
- 287 days
Safer after Mar 16 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Nov 12 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 30 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 16 · Mar 9 · Mar 30 | Nov 3 · Nov 18 · Dec 7 | 255 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Jan 25 · Feb 23 · Mar 16 | Nov 12 · Dec 3 · Jan 5 | 287 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Jan 5 · Feb 1 · Mar 5 | Nov 28 · Dec 31 · Jan 23 | 323 days | 91% |
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 23 – Mar 31 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Mar 11 – Aug 13 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Jan 23 – Feb 23 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Mar 25 – Apr 25 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Feb 9 – Mar 10 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Mar 25 – Apr 25 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Mar 25 – Aug 23 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Mar 11 – Apr 25 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Mar 25 – Apr 25 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Mar 11 – Sep 15 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Mar 11 – Aug 13 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Mar 25 – Apr 25 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Mar 18 – Apr 10 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 23 – Mar 10 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Jan 23 – Mar 25 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Dec 12 – Jan 8 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 9 – Mar 10 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 5 – Feb 8 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 9 – Mar 10 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Aug 3 – Aug 13 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Sep 2 – Sep 13 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Dec 26 – Jan 23 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Jan 23 – Feb 23 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 24 – Aug 23 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 23 – Sep 23 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 23 – Apr 10 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 23 – Oct 9 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 16 – Mar 1 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Sep 9 – Oct 14 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 23 – Mar 15 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 23 – Oct 24 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 9 – Mar 1 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 16 – Sep 23 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 23 – Apr 10 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 24 – Sep 8 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Nov 23 – Dec 24 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 39502 is matched to the NOAA station Gulfport - Biloxi Ap, MS, 1.3 km away, at 42 ft elevation (22 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gulfport - Biloxi Ap, MS (used) | 42 ft | Feb 23 | Dec 3 |
| Gulfport Naval Ctr, MS | 35 ft | Feb 18 | Dec 14 |
| Biloxi, MS | 10 ft | Feb 12 | Dec 14 |
| Saucier Exp Forest, MS | 229 ft | Mar 7 | Nov 22 |
Frost dates near Gulfport
- Gulfport, MS 39505 · 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
- Diberville, MS 39540 · last Feb 12, first Dec 14
- Pass Christian, MS 39571 · last Feb 18, 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 39502, the average last spring frost (32°F) is February 23, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Gulfport - Biloxi Ap, MS weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after March 16.
- When is the first frost in Gulfport, MS?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is December 3. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by November 12, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 39502?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 287 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.