Frost Dates for Brookhaven, MS 39601

Last spring frost March 21 · First fall frost November 9 · 233 frost-free days · USDA Zone 8b

ZIP 39601 has about 23,600 people.

Long season: 233 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans March 1–April 10 (40 days). Fall frost risk spans October 24–November 28 (35 days).

Frost probability for 39601

Frost10%50%90%
Spring (last frost)April 10March 21March 1
Fall (first frost)October 24November 9November 28

Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at BROOKHAVEN CITY (3.0 km away); the 50% date is the median year.

Which crops fit a 233-day season in Brookhaven

In Brookhaven (233 frost-free days, a long season), 30 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 25 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.

CropStart indoorsPlant out / sowDays you haveVerdictLast sow date
TomatoFeb 14Apr 4–Apr 11191fits: 80 days to maturity, 191 available after Apr 4.Jul 10
PepperFeb 7Apr 4–Apr 11191fits: 75 days to maturity, 191 available after Apr 4.Jul 15
LettuceJan 24Feb 21–Feb 28268two-plantings: Plant Feb 21 and again by Sep 18; both mature before Nov 16.Sep 18
Carrots—Feb 28–Mar 7275fits: 70 days to maturity, 275 available after Feb 28.Sep 7
CucumberFeb 28Apr 4–Apr 11205two-plantings: Plant Apr 4 and again by Aug 13; both mature before Oct 26.Aug 13
Beans—Mar 28–Apr 11219two-plantings: Plant Mar 28 and again by Aug 20; both mature before Nov 2.Aug 20
Peas—Jan 24–Apr 4296fits: 65 days to maturity, 296 available after Jan 24.Aug 29
ZucchiniMar 7Apr 4–Apr 11205two-plantings: Plant Apr 4 and again by Aug 18; both mature before Oct 26.Aug 18
OnionDec 27Feb 21–Mar 7268fits: 100 days to maturity, 268 available after Feb 21.—
Spinach—Jan 24–Mar 14310two-plantings: Plant Jan 24 and again by Oct 7; both mature before Nov 30.Oct 7
KaleJan 10Feb 21–Mar 7282two-plantings: Plant Feb 21 and again by Sep 22; both mature before Nov 30.Sep 22
BroccoliJan 24Feb 21–Mar 7268fits: 80 days to maturity, 268 available after Feb 21.Aug 14
CabbageJan 24Feb 21–Mar 7282fits: 70 days to maturity, 282 available after Feb 21.Sep 7
Radish—Jan 24–Apr 18296two-plantings: Plant Jan 24 and again by Oct 8; both mature before Nov 16.Oct 8
Beets—Jan 24–Apr 18296two-plantings: Plant Jan 24 and again by Sep 8; both mature before Nov 16.Sep 8
Potatoes—Mar 7–Mar 14254fits: 90 days to maturity, 254 available after Mar 7.—
Garlic—Nov 9338overwinter: Plant Nov 9 to Nov 30; harvest the following summer.Nov 30
Strawberry—Feb 14–Apr 11289perennial: A perennial: plant Feb 14; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years.—
CornFeb 21Mar 28–Apr 4205fits: 75 days to maturity, 205 available after Mar 28.Jul 22
PumpkinMar 7Apr 4–Apr 4198fits: 100 days to maturity, 198 available after Apr 4.Jun 27
CauliflowerFeb 7Mar 14–Mar 28247fits: 75 days to maturity, 247 available after Mar 14.Aug 19
Swiss ChardJan 24Mar 7–Mar 7254two-plantings: Plant Mar 7 and again by Sep 8; both mature before Nov 16.Sep 8
Arugula—Jan 24–Apr 18310two-plantings: Plant Jan 24 and again by Oct 7; both mature before Nov 30.Oct 7
Brussel SproutsJan 24Feb 21–Mar 7282fits: 100 days to maturity, 282 available after Feb 21.Aug 8
Butternut SquashMar 7Apr 4–Apr 11198fits: 100 days to maturity, 198 available after Apr 4.Jun 27
EggplantJan 31Apr 4–Apr 11191fits: 70 days to maturity, 191 available after Apr 4.Jul 20
OkraFeb 21Mar 28–Apr 4212two-plantings: Plant Mar 28 and again by Aug 18; both mature before Oct 26.Aug 18
BasilFeb 14Apr 11–Apr 11198two-plantings: Plant Apr 11 and again by Aug 13; both mature before Oct 26.Aug 13
Cilantro—Feb 21–Mar 14268two-plantings: Plant Feb 21 and again by Sep 13; both mature before Nov 16.Sep 13
ParsleyJan 10Mar 28–Apr 4233fits: 70 days to maturity, 233 available after Mar 28.Aug 24
CeleryJan 10Mar 28–Apr 11233fits: 120 days to maturity, 233 available after Mar 28.Jul 5
ScallionsJan 10Feb 21–Mar 7282two-plantings: Plant Feb 21 and again by Sep 17; both mature before Nov 30.Sep 17
Turnip—Feb 21–Mar 7282two-plantings: Plant Feb 21 and again by Sep 27; both mature before Nov 30.Sep 27
Kohlrabi—Feb 7–Feb 21296two-plantings: Plant Feb 7 and again by Sep 22; both mature before Nov 30.Sep 22
Bok ChoyFeb 21Mar 14–Mar 21247two-plantings: Plant Mar 14 and again by Sep 18; both mature before Nov 16.Sep 18
CollardsJan 10Feb 21–Mar 7282two-plantings: Plant Feb 21 and again by Sep 17; both mature before Nov 30.Sep 17
CantaloupeMar 7Apr 4–Apr 11191fits: 85 days to maturity, 191 available after Apr 4.Jul 5
ChivesDec 27Mar 28–Apr 4247fits: 90 days to maturity, 247 available after Mar 28.—
Dill—Jan 24–Apr 18296two-plantings: Plant Jan 24 and again by Sep 8; both mature before Nov 16.Sep 8
OreganoJan 10Mar 28–Apr 4247fits: 80 days to maturity, 247 available after Mar 28.—
RosemaryDec 27Mar 28–Apr 4233fits: 80 days to maturity, 233 available after Mar 28.—
SageJan 24Mar 28–Apr 4247fits: 75 days to maturity, 247 available after Mar 28.—
ThymeJan 10Mar 28–Apr 4247fits: 90 days to maturity, 247 available after Mar 28.—
CalendulaFeb 7Mar 7–Mar 21254two-plantings: Plant Mar 7 and again by Sep 13; both mature before Nov 16.Sep 13
CosmosFeb 21Mar 21–Apr 4219two-plantings: Plant Mar 21 and again by Aug 13; both mature before Oct 26.Aug 13
LavenderDec 27Mar 21–Apr 4254fits: 90 days to maturity, 254 available after Mar 21.—
MarigoldsFeb 7Mar 21–Mar 28219two-plantings: Plant Mar 21 and again by Aug 23; both mature before Oct 26.Aug 23
MelonsMar 7Apr 4–Apr 11191fits: 85 days to maturity, 191 available after Apr 4.Jul 5
Mint—Mar 21–Apr 4254fits: 90 days to maturity, 254 available after Mar 21.—
NasturtiumsFeb 21Mar 21–Mar 28219two-plantings: Plant Mar 21 and again by Aug 18; both mature before Oct 26.Aug 18
Pole Beans—Mar 28–Apr 11212fits: 65 days to maturity, 212 available after Mar 28.Aug 8
Spaghetti SquashMar 7Apr 4–Apr 11198fits: 90 days to maturity, 198 available after Apr 4.Jul 7
Sunflowers—Mar 21–Apr 4219fits: 70 days to maturity, 219 available after Mar 21.Aug 3
TomatillosJan 24Mar 28–Apr 4198fits: 75 days to maturity, 198 available after Mar 28.Jul 15
WatermelonMar 7Mar 28–Apr 4198fits: 80 days to maturity, 198 available after Mar 28.Jul 10
Yellow SquashMar 7Apr 4–Apr 11205two-plantings: Plant Apr 4 and again by Aug 18; both mature before Oct 26.Aug 18
ZinniasFeb 21Mar 21–Apr 4219two-plantings: Plant Mar 21 and again by Aug 13; both mature before Oct 26.Aug 13

Month by month in Brookhaven

MonthWhat to do
JanuaryStart indoors: Celery (Jan 10), Collards (Jan 10), Kale (Jan 10), Oregano (Jan 10), Parsley (Jan 10), Scallions (Jan 10), +9 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Jan 24), Beets (Jan 24), Dill (Jan 24), Peas (Jan 24), Radish (Jan 24), Spinach (Jan 24).
FebruaryStart indoors: Calendula (Feb 7), Cauliflower (Feb 7), Marigolds (Feb 7), Pepper (Feb 7), Basil (Feb 14), Tomato (Feb 14), +7 more. Direct sow from: Kohlrabi (Feb 7), Cilantro (Feb 21), Turnip (Feb 21), Carrots (Feb 28). Transplant from: Broccoli (Feb 21), Brussel Sprouts (Feb 21), Cabbage (Feb 21), Collards (Feb 21), Kale (Feb 21), Lettuce (Feb 21), +2 more. Plant: Strawberry (Feb 14).
MarchStart indoors: Butternut Squash (Mar 7), Cantaloupe (Mar 7), Melons (Mar 7), Pumpkin (Mar 7), Spaghetti Squash (Mar 7), Watermelon (Mar 7), +2 more. Direct sow from: Potatoes (Mar 7), Sunflowers (Mar 21), Beans (Mar 28), Pole Beans (Mar 28). Transplant from: Calendula (Mar 7), Swiss Chard (Mar 7), Bok Choy (Mar 14), Cauliflower (Mar 14), Cosmos (Mar 21), Lavender (Mar 21), +15 more. Last frost around March 21.
AprilTransplant from: Butternut Squash (Apr 4), Cantaloupe (Apr 4), Cucumber (Apr 4), Eggplant (Apr 4), Melons (Apr 4), Pepper (Apr 4), +6 more.
MaySuccession plant lettuce and greens. Keep beds weeded and watered consistently.
JuneLast sowing dates: Butternut Squash (Jun 27), Pumpkin (Jun 27).
JulyLast sowing dates: Cantaloupe (Jul 5), Celery (Jul 5), Melons (Jul 5), Spaghetti Squash (Jul 7), Tomato (Jul 10), Watermelon (Jul 10), +4 more.
AugustLast sowing dates: Sunflowers (Aug 3), Brussel Sprouts (Aug 8), Pole Beans (Aug 8), Basil (Aug 13), Cosmos (Aug 13), Cucumber (Aug 13), +11 more.
SeptemberLast sowing dates: Cabbage (Sep 7), Carrots (Sep 7), Beets (Sep 8), Dill (Sep 8), Swiss Chard (Sep 8), Calendula (Sep 13), +8 more.
OctoberLast sowing dates: Arugula (Oct 7), Spinach (Oct 7), Radish (Oct 8).
NovemberDirect sow from: Garlic (Nov 9). First frost around November 9. Last sowing dates: Garlic (Nov 30).
DecemberStart indoors: Chives (Dec 27), Lavender (Dec 27), Onion (Dec 27), Rosemary (Dec 27).

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the last frost date for Brookhaven, MS (ZIP 39601)?

The median last spring frost date for Brookhaven, MS (ZIP code 39601) is around March 21. 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 March 1; one in ten it runs past April 10.

What is the first fall frost date in Brookhaven, MS?

The median first fall frost date for Brookhaven, MS is around November 9. 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 October 24 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.

How long is the growing season in Brookhaven, MS?

The frost-free growing season in Brookhaven is about 233 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 Brookhaven (233 frost-free days, a long season), 30 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 25 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.

What USDA hardiness zone is Brookhaven, MS?

Brookhaven, MS is in USDA hardiness zone 8b (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 Brookhaven, MS?

Start tomatoes indoors Feb 14 and plant out Apr 4 in Brookhaven. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.

How many plantings of lettuce fit in Brookhaven?

Two: plant Feb 21 and again by Sep 18; both mature before Nov 16.

When do I plant garlic in Brookhaven?

Nov 9 to Nov 30; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.

Can I get two tomato crops in Brookhaven?

Yes: plant out Apr 4 for a summer crop, and set out a second round of transplants by Jul 10 for a fall crop.

Which nearby ZIP has a longer season?

Mccomb (ZIP 39648) has 240 frost-free days, 7 more than Brookhaven (ZIP 39601). See Mccomb ZIP 39648 frost dates

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