Frost Dates for Forest, MS 39074
Last spring frost March 29 · First fall frost November 2 · 218 frost-free days · USDA Zone 8b
ZIP 39074 has about 14,300 people.
Long season: 218 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans March 14–April 13 (30 days). Fall frost risk spans October 17–November 19 (33 days).
Frost probability for 39074
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | April 13 | March 29 | March 14 |
| Fall (first frost) | October 17 | November 2 | November 19 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at PELAHATCHIE (31.6 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 218-day season in Forest
In Forest (218 frost-free days, a 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 | Feb 22 | Apr 12–Apr 19 | 176 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 176 available after Apr 12. | Jul 3 |
| Pepper | Feb 15 | Apr 12–Apr 19 | 176 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 176 available after Apr 12. | Jul 8 |
| Lettuce | Feb 1 | Mar 1–Mar 8 | 253 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 1 and again by Sep 11; both mature before Nov 9. | Sep 11 |
| Carrots | — | Mar 8–Mar 15 | 260 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 260 available after Mar 8. | Aug 31 |
| Cucumber | Mar 8 | Apr 12–Apr 19 | 190 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 12 and again by Aug 6; both mature before Oct 19. | Aug 6 |
| Beans | — | Apr 5–Apr 19 | 204 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 5 and again by Aug 13; both mature before Oct 26. | Aug 13 |
| Peas | — | Feb 1–Apr 12 | 281 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 281 available after Feb 1. | Aug 22 |
| Zucchini | Mar 15 | Apr 12–Apr 19 | 190 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 12 and again by Aug 11; both mature before Oct 19. | Aug 11 |
| Onion | Jan 4 | Mar 1–Mar 15 | 253 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 253 available after Mar 1. | — |
| Spinach | — | Feb 1–Mar 22 | 295 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 1 and again by Sep 30; both mature before Nov 23. | Sep 30 |
| Kale | Jan 18 | Mar 1–Mar 15 | 267 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 1 and again by Sep 15; both mature before Nov 23. | Sep 15 |
| Broccoli | Feb 1 | Mar 1–Mar 15 | 253 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 253 available after Mar 1. | Aug 7 |
| Cabbage | Feb 1 | Mar 1–Mar 15 | 267 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 267 available after Mar 1. | Aug 31 |
| Radish | — | Feb 1–Apr 26 | 281 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 1 and again by Oct 1; both mature before Nov 9. | Oct 1 |
| Beets | — | Feb 1–Apr 26 | 281 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 1 and again by Sep 1; both mature before Nov 9. | Sep 1 |
| Potatoes | — | Mar 15–Mar 22 | 239 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 239 available after Mar 15. | — |
| Garlic | — | Nov 2 | 323 | overwinter: Plant Nov 2 to Nov 23; harvest the following summer. | Nov 23 |
| Strawberry | — | Feb 22–Apr 19 | 274 | perennial: A perennial: plant Feb 22; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Mar 1 | Apr 5–Apr 12 | 190 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 190 available after Apr 5. | Jul 15 |
| Pumpkin | Mar 15 | Apr 12–Apr 12 | 183 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 183 available after Apr 12. | Jun 20 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 15 | Mar 22–Apr 5 | 232 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 232 available after Mar 22. | Aug 12 |
| Swiss Chard | Feb 1 | Mar 15–Mar 15 | 239 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 15 and again by Sep 1; both mature before Nov 9. | Sep 1 |
| Arugula | — | Feb 1–Apr 26 | 295 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 1 and again by Sep 30; both mature before Nov 23. | Sep 30 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Feb 1 | Mar 1–Mar 15 | 267 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 267 available after Mar 1. | Aug 1 |
| Butternut Squash | Mar 15 | Apr 12–Apr 19 | 183 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 183 available after Apr 12. | Jun 20 |
| Eggplant | Feb 8 | Apr 12–Apr 19 | 176 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 176 available after Apr 12. | Jul 13 |
| Okra | Mar 1 | Apr 5–Apr 12 | 197 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 5 and again by Aug 11; both mature before Oct 19. | Aug 11 |
| Basil | Feb 22 | Apr 19–Apr 19 | 183 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 19 and again by Aug 6; both mature before Oct 19. | Aug 6 |
| Cilantro | — | Mar 1–Mar 22 | 253 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 1 and again by Sep 6; both mature before Nov 9. | Sep 6 |
| Parsley | Jan 18 | Apr 5–Apr 12 | 218 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 218 available after Apr 5. | Aug 17 |
| Celery | Jan 18 | Apr 5–Apr 19 | 218 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 218 available after Apr 5. | Jun 28 |
| Scallions | Jan 18 | Mar 1–Mar 15 | 267 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 1 and again by Sep 10; both mature before Nov 23. | Sep 10 |
| Turnip | — | Mar 1–Mar 15 | 267 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 1 and again by Sep 20; both mature before Nov 23. | Sep 20 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Feb 15–Mar 1 | 281 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 15 and again by Sep 15; both mature before Nov 23. | Sep 15 |
| Bok Choy | Mar 1 | Mar 22–Mar 29 | 232 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 22 and again by Sep 11; both mature before Nov 9. | Sep 11 |
| Collards | Jan 18 | Mar 1–Mar 15 | 267 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 1 and again by Sep 10; both mature before Nov 23. | Sep 10 |
| Cantaloupe | Mar 15 | Apr 12–Apr 19 | 176 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 176 available after Apr 12. | Jun 28 |
| Chives | Jan 4 | Apr 5–Apr 12 | 232 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 232 available after Apr 5. | — |
| Dill | — | Feb 1–Apr 26 | 281 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 1 and again by Sep 1; both mature before Nov 9. | Sep 1 |
| Oregano | Jan 18 | Apr 5–Apr 12 | 232 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 232 available after Apr 5. | — |
| Rosemary | Jan 4 | Apr 5–Apr 12 | 218 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 218 available after Apr 5. | — |
| Sage | Feb 1 | Apr 5–Apr 12 | 232 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 232 available after Apr 5. | — |
| Thyme | Jan 18 | Apr 5–Apr 12 | 232 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 232 available after Apr 5. | — |
| Calendula | Feb 15 | Mar 15–Mar 29 | 239 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 15 and again by Sep 6; both mature before Nov 9. | Sep 6 |
| Cosmos | Mar 1 | Mar 29–Apr 12 | 204 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 29 and again by Aug 6; both mature before Oct 19. | Aug 6 |
| Lavender | Jan 4 | Mar 29–Apr 12 | 239 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 239 available after Mar 29. | — |
| Marigolds | Feb 15 | Mar 29–Apr 5 | 204 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 29 and again by Aug 16; both mature before Oct 19. | Aug 16 |
| Melons | Mar 15 | Apr 12–Apr 19 | 176 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 176 available after Apr 12. | Jun 28 |
| Mint | — | Mar 29–Apr 12 | 239 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 239 available after Mar 29. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Mar 1 | Mar 29–Apr 5 | 204 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 29 and again by Aug 11; both mature before Oct 19. | Aug 11 |
| Pole Beans | — | Apr 5–Apr 19 | 197 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 197 available after Apr 5. | Aug 1 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Mar 15 | Apr 12–Apr 19 | 183 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 183 available after Apr 12. | Jun 30 |
| Sunflowers | — | Mar 29–Apr 12 | 204 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 204 available after Mar 29. | Jul 27 |
| Tomatillos | Feb 1 | Apr 5–Apr 12 | 183 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 183 available after Apr 5. | Jul 8 |
| Watermelon | Mar 15 | Apr 5–Apr 12 | 183 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 183 available after Apr 5. | Jul 3 |
| Yellow Squash | Mar 15 | Apr 12–Apr 19 | 190 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 12 and again by Aug 11; both mature before Oct 19. | Aug 11 |
| Zinnias | Mar 1 | Mar 29–Apr 12 | 204 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 29 and again by Aug 6; both mature before Oct 19. | Aug 6 |
Month by month in Forest
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Start indoors: Chives (Jan 4), Lavender (Jan 4), Onion (Jan 4), Rosemary (Jan 4), Celery (Jan 18), Collards (Jan 18), +5 more. |
| February | Start indoors: Broccoli (Feb 1), Brussel Sprouts (Feb 1), Cabbage (Feb 1), Lettuce (Feb 1), Sage (Feb 1), Swiss Chard (Feb 1), +8 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Feb 1), Beets (Feb 1), Dill (Feb 1), Peas (Feb 1), Radish (Feb 1), Spinach (Feb 1), +1 more. Plant: Strawberry (Feb 22). |
| March | Start indoors: Bok Choy (Mar 1), Corn (Mar 1), Cosmos (Mar 1), Nasturtiums (Mar 1), Okra (Mar 1), Zinnias (Mar 1), +9 more. Direct sow from: Cilantro (Mar 1), Turnip (Mar 1), Carrots (Mar 8), Potatoes (Mar 15), Sunflowers (Mar 29). Transplant from: Broccoli (Mar 1), Brussel Sprouts (Mar 1), Cabbage (Mar 1), Collards (Mar 1), Kale (Mar 1), Lettuce (Mar 1), +12 more. Last frost around March 29. |
| April | Direct sow from: Beans (Apr 5), Pole Beans (Apr 5). Transplant from: Celery (Apr 5), Chives (Apr 5), Corn (Apr 5), Okra (Apr 5), Oregano (Apr 5), Parsley (Apr 5), +17 more. |
| May | Succession plant lettuce and greens. Keep beds weeded and watered consistently. |
| June | Last sowing dates: Butternut Squash (Jun 20), Pumpkin (Jun 20), Cantaloupe (Jun 28), Celery (Jun 28), Melons (Jun 28), Spaghetti Squash (Jun 30). |
| July | Last sowing dates: Tomato (Jul 3), Watermelon (Jul 3), Pepper (Jul 8), Tomatillos (Jul 8), Eggplant (Jul 13), Corn (Jul 15), +1 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Brussel Sprouts (Aug 1), Pole Beans (Aug 1), Basil (Aug 6), Cosmos (Aug 6), Cucumber (Aug 6), Zinnias (Aug 6), +12 more. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Beets (Sep 1), Dill (Sep 1), Swiss Chard (Sep 1), Calendula (Sep 6), Cilantro (Sep 6), Collards (Sep 10), +8 more. |
| October | Last sowing dates: Radish (Oct 1). |
| November | Direct sow from: Garlic (Nov 2). First frost around November 2. Last sowing dates: Garlic (Nov 23). |
| December | Harvest remaining cold-hardy crops: kale, carrots, and beets. Plant garlic bulbs for next year. |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the last frost date for Forest, MS (ZIP 39074)?
The median last spring frost date for Forest, MS (ZIP code 39074) is around March 29. 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 14; one in ten it runs past April 13.
What is the first fall frost date in Forest, MS?
The median first fall frost date for Forest, MS is around November 2. 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 17 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Forest, MS?
The frost-free growing season in Forest is about 218 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 Forest (218 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 Forest, MS?
Forest, 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 Forest, MS?
Start tomatoes indoors Feb 22 and plant out Apr 12 in Forest. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Forest?
Two: plant Mar 1 and again by Sep 11; both mature before Nov 9.
When do I plant garlic in Forest?
Nov 2 to Nov 23; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Can I get two tomato crops in Forest?
Yes: plant out Apr 12 for a summer crop, and set out a second round of transplants by Jul 3 for a fall crop.
Which nearby ZIP has a longer season?
Brandon (ZIP 39047) has 227 frost-free days, 9 more than Forest (ZIP 39074). See Brandon ZIP 39047 frost dates
Nearby and related
- Frost dates for Morton, MS 39117 (12.3 mi)
- Frost dates for Carthage, MS 39051 (27.6 mi)
- Frost dates for Brandon, MS 39047 (27.9 mi)
- Frost dates for Philadelphia, MS 39350 (34.6 mi)
- Frost dates for Canton, MS 39046 (34.7 mi)
- When to plant in MS
- When to plant Peppers in MS
- When to plant Cucumbers in MS
- When to plant Zucchini in MS
- When to plant Butternut Squash in MS
- When to plant Basil in MS
- When to plant Sweet Corn in MS
- Look up another ZIP