Frost Dates for Bay Saint Louis, MS 39520
Last spring frost March 1 · First fall frost November 27 · 271 frost-free days · USDA Zone 9a
ZIP 39520 has about 15,600 people.
Very long season: 271 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans February 7–March 22 (43 days). Fall frost risk spans November 5–December 13 (38 days).
Frost probability for 39520
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | March 22 | March 1 | February 7 |
| Fall (first frost) | November 5 | November 27 | December 13 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at SLIDELL (28.7 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 271-day season in Bay Saint Louis
In Bay Saint Louis (271 frost-free days, a very long season), 30 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 25 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.
| Crop | Start indoors | Plant out / sow | Days you have | Verdict | Last sow date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tomato | Jan 25 | Mar 15–Mar 22 | 229 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 229 available after Mar 15. | Jul 28 |
| Pepper | Jan 18 | Mar 15–Mar 22 | 229 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 229 available after Mar 15. | Aug 2 |
| Lettuce | Jan 4 | Feb 1–Feb 8 | 306 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 1 and again by Oct 6; both mature before Dec 4. | Oct 6 |
| Carrots | — | Feb 8–Feb 15 | 313 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 313 available after Feb 8. | Sep 25 |
| Cucumber | Feb 8 | Mar 15–Mar 22 | 243 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 15 and again by Aug 31; both mature before Nov 13. | Aug 31 |
| Beans | — | Mar 8–Mar 22 | 257 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 8 and again by Sep 7; both mature before Nov 20. | Sep 7 |
| Peas | — | Jan 4–Mar 15 | 334 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 334 available after Jan 4. | Sep 16 |
| Zucchini | Feb 15 | Mar 15–Mar 22 | 243 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 15 and again by Sep 5; both mature before Nov 13. | Sep 5 |
| Onion | Dec 7 | Feb 1–Feb 15 | 306 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 306 available after Feb 1. | — |
| Spinach | — | Jan 4–Feb 22 | 348 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 4 and again by Oct 25; both mature before Dec 18. | Oct 25 |
| Kale | Dec 21 | Feb 1–Feb 15 | 320 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 1 and again by Oct 10; both mature before Dec 18. | Oct 10 |
| Broccoli | Jan 4 | Feb 1–Feb 15 | 306 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 306 available after Feb 1. | Sep 1 |
| Cabbage | Jan 4 | Feb 1–Feb 15 | 320 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 320 available after Feb 1. | Sep 25 |
| Radish | — | Jan 4–Mar 29 | 334 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 4 and again by Oct 26; both mature before Dec 4. | Oct 26 |
| Beets | — | Jan 4–Mar 29 | 334 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 4 and again by Sep 26; both mature before Dec 4. | Sep 26 |
| Potatoes | — | Feb 15–Feb 22 | 292 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 292 available after Feb 15. | — |
| Garlic | — | Nov 27 | 376 | overwinter: Plant Nov 27 to Dec 18; harvest the following summer. | Dec 18 |
| Strawberry | — | Jan 25–Mar 22 | 327 | perennial: A perennial: plant Jan 25; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Feb 1 | Mar 8–Mar 15 | 243 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 243 available after Mar 8. | Aug 9 |
| Pumpkin | Feb 15 | Mar 15–Mar 15 | 236 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 236 available after Mar 15. | Jul 15 |
| Cauliflower | Jan 18 | Feb 22–Mar 8 | 285 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 285 available after Feb 22. | Sep 6 |
| Swiss Chard | Jan 4 | Feb 15–Feb 15 | 292 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 15 and again by Sep 26; both mature before Dec 4. | Sep 26 |
| Arugula | — | Jan 4–Mar 29 | 348 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 4 and again by Oct 25; both mature before Dec 18. | Oct 25 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Jan 4 | Feb 1–Feb 15 | 320 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 320 available after Feb 1. | Aug 26 |
| Butternut Squash | Feb 15 | Mar 15–Mar 22 | 236 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 236 available after Mar 15. | Jul 15 |
| Eggplant | Jan 11 | Mar 15–Mar 22 | 229 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 229 available after Mar 15. | Aug 7 |
| Okra | Feb 1 | Mar 8–Mar 15 | 250 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 8 and again by Sep 5; both mature before Nov 13. | Sep 5 |
| Basil | Jan 25 | Mar 22–Mar 22 | 236 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 22 and again by Aug 31; both mature before Nov 13. | Aug 31 |
| Cilantro | — | Feb 1–Feb 22 | 306 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 1 and again by Oct 1; both mature before Dec 4. | Oct 1 |
| Parsley | Dec 21 | Mar 8–Mar 15 | 271 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 271 available after Mar 8. | Sep 11 |
| Celery | Dec 21 | Mar 8–Mar 22 | 271 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 271 available after Mar 8. | Jul 23 |
| Scallions | Dec 21 | Feb 1–Feb 15 | 320 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 1 and again by Oct 5; both mature before Dec 18. | Oct 5 |
| Turnip | — | Feb 1–Feb 15 | 320 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 1 and again by Oct 15; both mature before Dec 18. | Oct 15 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Jan 18–Feb 1 | 334 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 18 and again by Oct 10; both mature before Dec 18. | Oct 10 |
| Bok Choy | Feb 1 | Feb 22–Mar 1 | 285 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 22 and again by Oct 6; both mature before Dec 4. | Oct 6 |
| Collards | Dec 21 | Feb 1–Feb 15 | 320 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 1 and again by Oct 5; both mature before Dec 18. | Oct 5 |
| Cantaloupe | Feb 15 | Mar 15–Mar 22 | 229 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 229 available after Mar 15. | Jul 23 |
| Chives | Dec 7 | Mar 8–Mar 15 | 285 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 285 available after Mar 8. | — |
| Dill | — | Jan 4–Mar 29 | 334 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 4 and again by Sep 26; both mature before Dec 4. | Sep 26 |
| Oregano | Dec 21 | Mar 8–Mar 15 | 285 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 285 available after Mar 8. | — |
| Rosemary | Dec 7 | Mar 8–Mar 15 | 271 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 271 available after Mar 8. | — |
| Sage | Jan 4 | Mar 8–Mar 15 | 285 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 285 available after Mar 8. | — |
| Thyme | Dec 21 | Mar 8–Mar 15 | 285 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 285 available after Mar 8. | — |
| Calendula | Jan 18 | Feb 15–Mar 1 | 292 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 15 and again by Oct 1; both mature before Dec 4. | Oct 1 |
| Cosmos | Feb 1 | Mar 1–Mar 15 | 257 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 1 and again by Aug 31; both mature before Nov 13. | Aug 31 |
| Lavender | Dec 7 | Mar 1–Mar 15 | 292 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 292 available after Mar 1. | — |
| Marigolds | Jan 18 | Mar 1–Mar 8 | 257 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 1 and again by Sep 10; both mature before Nov 13. | Sep 10 |
| Melons | Feb 15 | Mar 15–Mar 22 | 229 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 229 available after Mar 15. | Jul 23 |
| Mint | — | Mar 1–Mar 15 | 292 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 292 available after Mar 1. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Feb 1 | Mar 1–Mar 8 | 257 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 1 and again by Sep 5; both mature before Nov 13. | Sep 5 |
| Pole Beans | — | Mar 8–Mar 22 | 250 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 250 available after Mar 8. | Aug 26 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Feb 15 | Mar 15–Mar 22 | 236 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 236 available after Mar 15. | Jul 25 |
| Sunflowers | — | Mar 1–Mar 15 | 257 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 257 available after Mar 1. | Aug 21 |
| Tomatillos | Jan 4 | Mar 8–Mar 15 | 236 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 236 available after Mar 8. | Aug 2 |
| Watermelon | Feb 15 | Mar 8–Mar 15 | 236 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 236 available after Mar 8. | Jul 28 |
| Yellow Squash | Feb 15 | Mar 15–Mar 22 | 243 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 15 and again by Sep 5; both mature before Nov 13. | Sep 5 |
| Zinnias | Feb 1 | Mar 1–Mar 15 | 257 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 1 and again by Aug 31; both mature before Nov 13. | Aug 31 |
Month by month in Bay Saint Louis
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Start indoors: Broccoli (Jan 4), Brussel Sprouts (Jan 4), Cabbage (Jan 4), Lettuce (Jan 4), Sage (Jan 4), Swiss Chard (Jan 4), +8 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Jan 4), Beets (Jan 4), Dill (Jan 4), Peas (Jan 4), Radish (Jan 4), Spinach (Jan 4), +1 more. Plant: Strawberry (Jan 25). |
| February | Start indoors: Bok Choy (Feb 1), Corn (Feb 1), Cosmos (Feb 1), Nasturtiums (Feb 1), Okra (Feb 1), Zinnias (Feb 1), +9 more. Direct sow from: Cilantro (Feb 1), Turnip (Feb 1), Carrots (Feb 8), Potatoes (Feb 15). Transplant from: Broccoli (Feb 1), Brussel Sprouts (Feb 1), Cabbage (Feb 1), Collards (Feb 1), Kale (Feb 1), Lettuce (Feb 1), +6 more. |
| March | Direct sow from: Sunflowers (Mar 1), Beans (Mar 8), Pole Beans (Mar 8). Transplant from: Cosmos (Mar 1), Lavender (Mar 1), Marigolds (Mar 1), Mint (Mar 1), Nasturtiums (Mar 1), Zinnias (Mar 1), +23 more. Last frost around March 1. |
| April | Frost has passed. Transplant tomatoes, peppers, and basil outdoors. Direct sow beans, cucumbers, squash, and zucchini. |
| May | Succession plant lettuce and greens. Keep beds weeded and watered consistently. |
| June | Harvest regularly to encourage production. Monitor for pests and disease. |
| July | Last sowing dates: Butternut Squash (Jul 15), Pumpkin (Jul 15), Cantaloupe (Jul 23), Celery (Jul 23), Melons (Jul 23), Spaghetti Squash (Jul 25), +2 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Pepper (Aug 2), Tomatillos (Aug 2), Eggplant (Aug 7), Corn (Aug 9), Sunflowers (Aug 21), Brussel Sprouts (Aug 26), +5 more. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Broccoli (Sep 1), Nasturtiums (Sep 5), Okra (Sep 5), Yellow Squash (Sep 5), Zucchini (Sep 5), Cauliflower (Sep 6), +9 more. |
| October | Last sowing dates: Calendula (Oct 1), Cilantro (Oct 1), Collards (Oct 5), Scallions (Oct 5), Bok Choy (Oct 6), Lettuce (Oct 6), +6 more. |
| November | Direct sow from: Garlic (Nov 27). First frost around November 27. |
| December | Start indoors: Chives (Dec 7), Lavender (Dec 7), Onion (Dec 7), Rosemary (Dec 7), Celery (Dec 21), Collards (Dec 21), +5 more. Last sowing dates: Garlic (Dec 18). |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the last frost date for Bay Saint Louis, MS (ZIP 39520)?
The median last spring frost date for Bay Saint Louis, MS (ZIP code 39520) is around March 1. This is the 50th-percentile date — meaning half of all years see frost end before this date. Use the 10% and 90% dates to understand the full range of risk in your area. One year in ten frost ends before February 7; one in ten it runs past March 22.
What is the first fall frost date in Bay Saint Louis, MS?
The median first fall frost date for Bay Saint Louis, MS is around November 27. Plan to harvest or protect frost-sensitive crops like tomatoes and peppers at least a week before this date to avoid losses. The first frost arrives around November 5 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Bay Saint Louis, MS?
The frost-free growing season in Bay Saint Louis is about 271 days. This window — from your last spring frost to your first fall frost — is when warm-season vegetables thrive. Cold-hardy crops like kale, spinach, and peas can extend your season by weeks on either side. In Bay Saint Louis (271 frost-free days, a very long season), 30 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 25 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.
What USDA hardiness zone is Bay Saint Louis, MS?
Bay Saint Louis, MS is in USDA hardiness zone 9a (2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map). Zones come from the average coldest winter temperature, so they tell you which perennials survive the winter; the frost dates on this page tell you when to plant.
When should I start tomatoes indoors in Bay Saint Louis, MS?
Start tomatoes indoors Jan 25 and plant out Mar 15 in Bay Saint Louis. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Bay Saint Louis?
Two: plant Feb 1 and again by Oct 6; both mature before Dec 4.
When do I plant garlic in Bay Saint Louis?
Nov 27 to Dec 18; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Can I get two tomato crops in Bay Saint Louis?
Yes: plant out Mar 15 for a summer crop, and set out a second round of transplants by Jul 28 for a fall crop.
Which nearby ZIP has a longer season?
Pass Christian (ZIP 39571) has 287 frost-free days, 16 more than Bay Saint Louis (ZIP 39520). See Pass Christian ZIP 39571 frost dates
Nearby and related
- Frost dates for Pass Christian, MS 39571 (15.2 mi)
- Frost dates for Long Beach, MS 39560 (19.2 mi)
- Frost dates for Slidell, LA 70458 (19.3 mi)
- Frost dates for Pearl River, LA 70452 (19.9 mi)
- Frost dates for Picayune, MS 39466 (20.7 mi)
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