Frost dates for 39759Starkville, MS
The average last spring frost in Starkville is March 23 and the average first fall frost is November 8, giving a typical growing season of about 233 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 23
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 8
- Growing season
- 233 days
Safer after Apr 13 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 27 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 5 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 16 · Apr 5 · Apr 23 | Oct 17 · Oct 31 · Nov 14 | 209 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Feb 28 · Mar 23 · Apr 13 | Oct 27 · Nov 8 · Dec 1 | 233 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Feb 14 · Mar 7 · Mar 30 | Nov 4 · Nov 22 · Dec 17 | 260 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Starkville
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 20 – Apr 28 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 8 – Jul 19 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Feb 20 – Mar 23 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Apr 22 – May 23 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 9 – Apr 7 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Apr 22 – May 23 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Apr 22 – Jul 29 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 8 – May 23 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 22 – May 23 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 8 – Aug 21 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 8 – Jul 19 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Apr 22 – May 23 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 15 – May 8 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 20 – Apr 7 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Feb 20 – Apr 22 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 9 – Feb 5 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 9 – Apr 7 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 2 – Mar 8 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 9 – Apr 7 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 9 – Jul 19 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 8 – Aug 19 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 23 – Feb 20 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 20 – Mar 23 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 29 – Jul 29 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 29 – Aug 29 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 20 – May 8 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 29 – Sep 14 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 13 – Mar 29 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 15 – Sep 19 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 20 – Apr 12 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 29 – Sep 29 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 9 – Mar 29 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 22 – Aug 29 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 23 – May 8 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 29 – Aug 14 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 29 – Nov 29 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 39759 is matched to the NOAA station State Univ, MS, 4 km away, at 185 ft elevation (146 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| State Univ, MS (used) | 185 ft | Mar 23 | Nov 8 |
| Columbus, MS | 145 ft | Mar 13 | Nov 12 |
| Eupora 2 E, MS | 440 ft | Mar 30 | Nov 4 |
| Macon 3N, MS | 250 ft | Mar 21 | Nov 7 |
Frost dates near Starkville
- Starkville, MS 39760 · last Mar 23, first Nov 8
- Mississippi State, MS 39762 · last Mar 23, first Nov 8
- Artesia, MS 39736 · last Mar 23, first Nov 8
- Mayhew, MS 39753 · last Mar 23, first Nov 8
- Cedarbluff, MS 39741 · last Mar 23, first Nov 8
- Pheba, MS 39755 · last Mar 23, first Nov 8
- West Point, MS 39773 · last Mar 23, first Nov 8
- Sturgis, MS 39769 · last Mar 30, first Nov 4
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Starkville, MS?
- For ZIP code 39759, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 23, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the State Univ, MS weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 13.
- When is the first frost in Starkville, MS?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 8. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 27, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 39759?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 233 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.