Frost dates for 39656Oak Vale, MS
The average last spring frost in Oak Vale is March 12 and the average first fall frost is November 10, giving a typical growing season of about 242 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 12
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 10
- Growing season
- 242 days
Safer after Apr 3 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 23 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 7 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 6 · Mar 27 · Apr 15 | Oct 16 · Nov 1 · Nov 18 | 217 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Feb 22 · Mar 12 · Apr 3 | Oct 23 · Nov 10 · Dec 3 | 242 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Jan 30 · Feb 27 · Mar 17 | Oct 31 · Nov 22 · Dec 25 | 272 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Oak Vale
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 21 |
| 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 – Jul 31 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Mar 28 – May 12 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 11 – May 12 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Mar 28 – Aug 23 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Mar 28 – Jul 21 |
| 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 11 – Jul 21 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 10 – Aug 21 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 12 – Feb 9 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 9 – Mar 12 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 1 – Jul 31 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 31 – Aug 31 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 9 – Apr 27 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 31 – Sep 16 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 2 – Mar 18 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 17 – Sep 21 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 9 – Apr 1 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 31 – Oct 1 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 26 – Mar 18 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 24 – Aug 31 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 12 – Apr 27 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 1 – Aug 16 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 31 – Dec 1 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 39656 is matched to the NOAA station Monticello, MS, 16.9 km away, at 191 ft elevation (4 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monticello, MS (used) | 191 ft | Mar 12 | Nov 10 |
| Columbia, MS | 150 ft | Mar 5 | Nov 19 |
| Tylertown 5Ese, MS | 382 ft | Mar 15 | Nov 16 |
| Collins, MS | 290 ft | Mar 17 | Nov 12 |
Frost dates near Oak Vale
- Silver Creek, MS 39663 · last Mar 12, first Nov 10
- Carson, MS 39427 · last Mar 17, first Nov 12
- Monticello, MS 39654 · last Mar 12, first Nov 10
- Jayess, MS 39641 · last Mar 12, first Nov 10
- Prentiss, MS 39474 · last Mar 12, first Nov 10
- Foxworth, MS 39483 · last Mar 5, first Nov 19
- Kokomo, MS 39643 · last Mar 15, first Nov 16
- Columbia, MS 39429 · last Mar 5, first Nov 19
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Oak Vale, MS?
- For ZIP code 39656, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 12, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Monticello, MS weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 3.
- When is the first frost in Oak Vale, MS?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 10. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 23, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 39656?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 242 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.