Frost Dates for Carthage, MS 39051

Last spring frost March 28 · First fall frost November 3 · 220 frost-free days · USDA Zone 8b

ZIP 39051 has about 15,000 people.

Long season: 220 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans March 10–April 13 (34 days). Fall frost risk spans October 19–November 20 (32 days).

Frost probability for 39051

Frost10%50%90%
Spring (last frost)April 13March 28March 10
Fall (first frost)October 19November 3November 20

Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at KOSCIUSKO (30.9 km away); the 50% date is the median year.

Which crops fit a 220-day season in Carthage

In Carthage (220 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 21Apr 11–Apr 18178fits: 80 days to maturity, 178 available after Apr 11.Jul 4
PepperFeb 14Apr 11–Apr 18178fits: 75 days to maturity, 178 available after Apr 11.Jul 9
LettuceJan 31Feb 28–Mar 7255two-plantings: Plant Feb 28 and again by Sep 12; both mature before Nov 10.Sep 12
Carrots—Mar 7–Mar 14262fits: 70 days to maturity, 262 available after Mar 7.Sep 1
CucumberMar 7Apr 11–Apr 18192two-plantings: Plant Apr 11 and again by Aug 7; both mature before Oct 20.Aug 7
Beans—Apr 4–Apr 18206two-plantings: Plant Apr 4 and again by Aug 14; both mature before Oct 27.Aug 14
Peas—Jan 31–Apr 11283fits: 65 days to maturity, 283 available after Jan 31.Aug 23
ZucchiniMar 14Apr 11–Apr 18192two-plantings: Plant Apr 11 and again by Aug 12; both mature before Oct 20.Aug 12
OnionJan 3Feb 28–Mar 14255fits: 100 days to maturity, 255 available after Feb 28.—
Spinach—Jan 31–Mar 21297two-plantings: Plant Jan 31 and again by Oct 1; both mature before Nov 24.Oct 1
KaleJan 17Feb 28–Mar 14269two-plantings: Plant Feb 28 and again by Sep 16; both mature before Nov 24.Sep 16
BroccoliJan 31Feb 28–Mar 14255fits: 80 days to maturity, 255 available after Feb 28.Aug 8
CabbageJan 31Feb 28–Mar 14269fits: 70 days to maturity, 269 available after Feb 28.Sep 1
Radish—Jan 31–Apr 25283two-plantings: Plant Jan 31 and again by Oct 2; both mature before Nov 10.Oct 2
Beets—Jan 31–Apr 25283two-plantings: Plant Jan 31 and again by Sep 2; both mature before Nov 10.Sep 2
Potatoes—Mar 14–Mar 21241fits: 90 days to maturity, 241 available after Mar 14.—
Garlic—Nov 3325overwinter: Plant Nov 3 to Nov 24; harvest the following summer.Nov 24
Strawberry—Feb 21–Apr 18276perennial: A perennial: plant Feb 21; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years.—
CornFeb 28Apr 4–Apr 11192fits: 75 days to maturity, 192 available after Apr 4.Jul 16
PumpkinMar 14Apr 11–Apr 11185fits: 100 days to maturity, 185 available after Apr 11.Jun 21
CauliflowerFeb 14Mar 21–Apr 4234fits: 75 days to maturity, 234 available after Mar 21.Aug 13
Swiss ChardJan 31Mar 14–Mar 14241two-plantings: Plant Mar 14 and again by Sep 2; both mature before Nov 10.Sep 2
Arugula—Jan 31–Apr 25297two-plantings: Plant Jan 31 and again by Oct 1; both mature before Nov 24.Oct 1
Brussel SproutsJan 31Feb 28–Mar 14269fits: 100 days to maturity, 269 available after Feb 28.Aug 2
Butternut SquashMar 14Apr 11–Apr 18185fits: 100 days to maturity, 185 available after Apr 11.Jun 21
EggplantFeb 7Apr 11–Apr 18178fits: 70 days to maturity, 178 available after Apr 11.Jul 14
OkraFeb 28Apr 4–Apr 11199two-plantings: Plant Apr 4 and again by Aug 12; both mature before Oct 20.Aug 12
BasilFeb 21Apr 18–Apr 18185two-plantings: Plant Apr 18 and again by Aug 7; both mature before Oct 20.Aug 7
Cilantro—Feb 28–Mar 21255two-plantings: Plant Feb 28 and again by Sep 7; both mature before Nov 10.Sep 7
ParsleyJan 17Apr 4–Apr 11220fits: 70 days to maturity, 220 available after Apr 4.Aug 18
CeleryJan 17Apr 4–Apr 18220fits: 120 days to maturity, 220 available after Apr 4.Jun 29
ScallionsJan 17Feb 28–Mar 14269two-plantings: Plant Feb 28 and again by Sep 11; both mature before Nov 24.Sep 11
Turnip—Feb 28–Mar 14269two-plantings: Plant Feb 28 and again by Sep 21; both mature before Nov 24.Sep 21
Kohlrabi—Feb 14–Feb 28283two-plantings: Plant Feb 14 and again by Sep 16; both mature before Nov 24.Sep 16
Bok ChoyFeb 28Mar 21–Mar 28234two-plantings: Plant Mar 21 and again by Sep 12; both mature before Nov 10.Sep 12
CollardsJan 17Feb 28–Mar 14269two-plantings: Plant Feb 28 and again by Sep 11; both mature before Nov 24.Sep 11
CantaloupeMar 14Apr 11–Apr 18178fits: 85 days to maturity, 178 available after Apr 11.Jun 29
ChivesJan 3Apr 4–Apr 11234fits: 90 days to maturity, 234 available after Apr 4.—
Dill—Jan 31–Apr 25283two-plantings: Plant Jan 31 and again by Sep 2; both mature before Nov 10.Sep 2
OreganoJan 17Apr 4–Apr 11234fits: 80 days to maturity, 234 available after Apr 4.—
RosemaryJan 3Apr 4–Apr 11220fits: 80 days to maturity, 220 available after Apr 4.—
SageJan 31Apr 4–Apr 11234fits: 75 days to maturity, 234 available after Apr 4.—
ThymeJan 17Apr 4–Apr 11234fits: 90 days to maturity, 234 available after Apr 4.—
CalendulaFeb 14Mar 14–Mar 28241two-plantings: Plant Mar 14 and again by Sep 7; both mature before Nov 10.Sep 7
CosmosFeb 28Mar 28–Apr 11206two-plantings: Plant Mar 28 and again by Aug 7; both mature before Oct 20.Aug 7
LavenderJan 3Mar 28–Apr 11241fits: 90 days to maturity, 241 available after Mar 28.—
MarigoldsFeb 14Mar 28–Apr 4206two-plantings: Plant Mar 28 and again by Aug 17; both mature before Oct 20.Aug 17
MelonsMar 14Apr 11–Apr 18178fits: 85 days to maturity, 178 available after Apr 11.Jun 29
Mint—Mar 28–Apr 11241fits: 90 days to maturity, 241 available after Mar 28.—
NasturtiumsFeb 28Mar 28–Apr 4206two-plantings: Plant Mar 28 and again by Aug 12; both mature before Oct 20.Aug 12
Pole Beans—Apr 4–Apr 18199fits: 65 days to maturity, 199 available after Apr 4.Aug 2
Spaghetti SquashMar 14Apr 11–Apr 18185fits: 90 days to maturity, 185 available after Apr 11.Jul 1
Sunflowers—Mar 28–Apr 11206fits: 70 days to maturity, 206 available after Mar 28.Jul 28
TomatillosJan 31Apr 4–Apr 11185fits: 75 days to maturity, 185 available after Apr 4.Jul 9
WatermelonMar 14Apr 4–Apr 11185fits: 80 days to maturity, 185 available after Apr 4.Jul 4
Yellow SquashMar 14Apr 11–Apr 18192two-plantings: Plant Apr 11 and again by Aug 12; both mature before Oct 20.Aug 12
ZinniasFeb 28Mar 28–Apr 11206two-plantings: Plant Mar 28 and again by Aug 7; both mature before Oct 20.Aug 7

Month by month in Carthage

MonthWhat to do
JanuaryStart indoors: Chives (Jan 3), Lavender (Jan 3), Onion (Jan 3), Rosemary (Jan 3), Celery (Jan 17), Collards (Jan 17), +12 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Jan 31), Beets (Jan 31), Dill (Jan 31), Peas (Jan 31), Radish (Jan 31), Spinach (Jan 31).
FebruaryStart indoors: Eggplant (Feb 7), Calendula (Feb 14), Cauliflower (Feb 14), Marigolds (Feb 14), Pepper (Feb 14), Basil (Feb 21), +7 more. Direct sow from: Kohlrabi (Feb 14), Cilantro (Feb 28), Turnip (Feb 28). Transplant from: Broccoli (Feb 28), Brussel Sprouts (Feb 28), Cabbage (Feb 28), Collards (Feb 28), Kale (Feb 28), Lettuce (Feb 28), +2 more. Plant: Strawberry (Feb 21).
MarchStart indoors: Cucumber (Mar 7), Butternut Squash (Mar 14), Cantaloupe (Mar 14), Melons (Mar 14), Pumpkin (Mar 14), Spaghetti Squash (Mar 14), +3 more. Direct sow from: Carrots (Mar 7), Potatoes (Mar 14), Sunflowers (Mar 28). Transplant from: Calendula (Mar 14), Swiss Chard (Mar 14), Bok Choy (Mar 21), Cauliflower (Mar 21), Cosmos (Mar 28), Lavender (Mar 28), +4 more. Last frost around March 28.
AprilDirect sow from: Beans (Apr 4), Pole Beans (Apr 4). Transplant from: Celery (Apr 4), Chives (Apr 4), Corn (Apr 4), Okra (Apr 4), Oregano (Apr 4), Parsley (Apr 4), +17 more.
MaySuccession plant lettuce and greens. Keep beds weeded and watered consistently.
JuneLast sowing dates: Butternut Squash (Jun 21), Pumpkin (Jun 21), Cantaloupe (Jun 29), Celery (Jun 29), Melons (Jun 29).
JulyLast sowing dates: Spaghetti Squash (Jul 1), Tomato (Jul 4), Watermelon (Jul 4), Pepper (Jul 9), Tomatillos (Jul 9), Eggplant (Jul 14), +2 more.
AugustLast sowing dates: Brussel Sprouts (Aug 2), Pole Beans (Aug 2), Basil (Aug 7), Cosmos (Aug 7), Cucumber (Aug 7), Zinnias (Aug 7), +10 more.
SeptemberLast sowing dates: Cabbage (Sep 1), Carrots (Sep 1), Beets (Sep 2), Dill (Sep 2), Swiss Chard (Sep 2), Calendula (Sep 7), +8 more.
OctoberLast sowing dates: Arugula (Oct 1), Spinach (Oct 1), Radish (Oct 2).
NovemberDirect sow from: Garlic (Nov 3). First frost around November 3. Last sowing dates: Garlic (Nov 24).
DecemberHarvest remaining cold-hardy crops: kale, carrots, and beets. Plant garlic bulbs for next year.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the last frost date for Carthage, MS (ZIP 39051)?

The median last spring frost date for Carthage, MS (ZIP code 39051) is around March 28. 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 10; one in ten it runs past April 13.

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

The median first fall frost date for Carthage, MS is around November 3. 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 19 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.

How long is the growing season in Carthage, MS?

The frost-free growing season in Carthage is about 220 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 Carthage (220 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 Carthage, MS?

Carthage, 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 Carthage, MS?

Start tomatoes indoors Feb 21 and plant out Apr 11 in Carthage. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.

How many plantings of lettuce fit in Carthage?

Two: plant Feb 28 and again by Sep 12; both mature before Nov 10.

When do I plant garlic in Carthage?

Nov 3 to Nov 24; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.

Can I get two tomato crops in Carthage?

Yes: plant out Apr 11 for a summer crop, and set out a second round of transplants by Jul 4 for a fall crop.

Which nearby ZIP has a longer season?

Canton (ZIP 39046) has 227 frost-free days, 7 more than Carthage (ZIP 39051). See Canton ZIP 39046 frost dates

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