Frost dates for 39573Perkinston, MS
The average last spring frost in Perkinston is March 14 and the average first fall frost is November 18, giving a typical growing season of about 249 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 14
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 18
- Growing season
- 249 days
Safer after Apr 2 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Nov 1 (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 8 · Mar 29 · Apr 15 | Oct 23 · Nov 7 · Nov 24 | 224 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Feb 21 · Mar 14 · Apr 2 | Nov 1 · Nov 18 · Dec 9 | 249 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Jan 30 · Feb 27 · Mar 20 | Nov 9 · Dec 3 · Jan 4 | 282 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Perkinston
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 11 – Apr 19 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Mar 30 – Jul 29 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Feb 11 – Mar 14 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Apr 13 – May 14 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Feb 28 – Mar 29 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Apr 13 – May 14 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Apr 13 – Aug 8 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Mar 30 – May 14 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 13 – May 14 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Mar 30 – Aug 31 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Mar 30 – Jul 29 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Apr 13 – May 14 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 6 – Apr 29 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 11 – Mar 29 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Feb 11 – Apr 13 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Dec 31 – Jan 27 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 28 – Mar 29 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 24 – Feb 27 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 28 – Mar 29 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 19 – Jul 29 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 18 – Aug 29 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 14 – Feb 11 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 11 – Mar 14 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 9 – Aug 8 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 8 – Sep 8 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 11 – Apr 29 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 8 – Sep 24 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 4 – Mar 20 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 25 – Sep 29 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 11 – Apr 3 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 8 – Oct 9 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 28 – Mar 20 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 1 – Sep 8 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 14 – Apr 29 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 9 – Aug 24 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Nov 8 – Dec 9 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 39573 is matched to the NOAA station Wiggins, MS, 11.8 km away, at 160 ft elevation (22 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wiggins, MS (used) | 160 ft | Mar 14 | Nov 18 |
| Saucier Exp Forest, MS | 229 ft | Mar 7 | Nov 22 |
| Poplarville Exp Stn, MS | 313 ft | Mar 10 | Nov 21 |
| Gulfport - Biloxi Ap, MS | 42 ft | Feb 23 | Dec 3 |
Frost dates near Perkinston
- Mc Henry, MS 39561 · last Mar 7, first Nov 22
- Wiggins, MS 39577 · last Mar 14, first Nov 18
- Saucier, MS 39574 · last Mar 7, first Nov 22
- Biloxi, MS 39532 · last Feb 12, first Dec 14
- Brooklyn, MS 39425 · last Mar 14, first Nov 18
- Gulfport, MS 39503 · last Feb 23, first Dec 3
- Lumberton, MS 39455 · last Mar 10, first Nov 21
- Kiln, MS 39556 · last Mar 6, first Nov 19
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Perkinston, MS?
- For ZIP code 39573, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 14, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Wiggins, MS weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 2.
- When is the first frost in Perkinston, MS?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 18. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by November 1, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 39573?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 249 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.