Frost Dates for Iuka, MS 38852
Last spring frost April 6 · First fall frost October 26 · 203 frost-free days · USDA Zone 7b
ZIP 38852 has about 8,720 people.
Long season: 203 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans March 24–April 19 (26 days). Fall frost risk spans October 8–November 14 (37 days).
Frost probability for 38852
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | April 19 | April 6 | March 24 |
| Fall (first frost) | October 8 | October 26 | November 14 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at CORINTH 7 SW (36.9 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 203-day season in Iuka
In Iuka (203 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 | Mar 2 | Apr 20–Apr 27 | 161 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 161 available after Apr 20. | Jun 26 |
| Pepper | Feb 23 | Apr 20–Apr 27 | 161 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 161 available after Apr 20. | Jul 1 |
| Lettuce | Feb 9 | Mar 9–Mar 16 | 238 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 9 and again by Sep 4; both mature before Nov 2. | Sep 4 |
| Carrots | — | Mar 16–Mar 23 | 245 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 245 available after Mar 16. | Aug 24 |
| Cucumber | Mar 16 | Apr 20–Apr 27 | 175 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 20 and again by Jul 30; both mature before Oct 12. | Jul 30 |
| Beans | — | Apr 13–Apr 27 | 189 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 13 and again by Aug 6; both mature before Oct 19. | Aug 6 |
| Peas | — | Feb 9–Apr 20 | 266 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 266 available after Feb 9. | Aug 15 |
| Zucchini | Mar 23 | Apr 20–Apr 27 | 175 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 20 and again by Aug 4; both mature before Oct 12. | Aug 4 |
| Onion | Jan 12 | Mar 9–Mar 23 | 238 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 238 available after Mar 9. | — |
| Spinach | — | Feb 9–Mar 30 | 280 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 9 and again by Sep 23; both mature before Nov 16. | Sep 23 |
| Kale | Jan 26 | Mar 9–Mar 23 | 252 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 9 and again by Sep 8; both mature before Nov 16. | Sep 8 |
| Broccoli | Feb 9 | Mar 9–Mar 23 | 238 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 238 available after Mar 9. | Jul 31 |
| Cabbage | Feb 9 | Mar 9–Mar 23 | 252 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 252 available after Mar 9. | Aug 24 |
| Radish | — | Feb 9–May 4 | 266 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 9 and again by Sep 24; both mature before Nov 2. | Sep 24 |
| Beets | — | Feb 9–May 4 | 266 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 9 and again by Aug 25; both mature before Nov 2. | Aug 25 |
| Potatoes | — | Mar 23–Mar 30 | 224 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 224 available after Mar 23. | — |
| Garlic | — | Oct 26 | 308 | overwinter: Plant Oct 26 to Nov 16; harvest the following summer. | Nov 16 |
| Strawberry | — | Mar 2–Apr 27 | 259 | perennial: A perennial: plant Mar 2; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Mar 9 | Apr 13–Apr 20 | 175 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 175 available after Apr 13. | Jul 8 |
| Pumpkin | Mar 23 | Apr 20–Apr 20 | 168 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 168 available after Apr 20. | Jun 13 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 23 | Mar 30–Apr 13 | 217 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 217 available after Mar 30. | Aug 5 |
| Swiss Chard | Feb 9 | Mar 23–Mar 23 | 224 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 23 and again by Aug 25; both mature before Nov 2. | Aug 25 |
| Arugula | — | Feb 9–May 4 | 280 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 9 and again by Sep 23; both mature before Nov 16. | Sep 23 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Feb 9 | Mar 9–Mar 23 | 252 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 252 available after Mar 9. | Jul 25 |
| Butternut Squash | Mar 23 | Apr 20–Apr 27 | 168 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 168 available after Apr 20. | Jun 13 |
| Eggplant | Feb 16 | Apr 20–Apr 27 | 161 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 161 available after Apr 20. | Jul 6 |
| Okra | Mar 9 | Apr 13–Apr 20 | 182 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 13 and again by Aug 4; both mature before Oct 12. | Aug 4 |
| Basil | Mar 2 | Apr 27–Apr 27 | 168 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 27 and again by Jul 30; both mature before Oct 12. | Jul 30 |
| Cilantro | — | Mar 9–Mar 30 | 238 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 9 and again by Aug 30; both mature before Nov 2. | Aug 30 |
| Parsley | Jan 26 | Apr 13–Apr 20 | 203 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 203 available after Apr 13. | Aug 10 |
| Celery | Jan 26 | Apr 13–Apr 27 | 203 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 203 available after Apr 13. | Jun 21 |
| Scallions | Jan 26 | Mar 9–Mar 23 | 252 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 9 and again by Sep 3; both mature before Nov 16. | Sep 3 |
| Turnip | — | Mar 9–Mar 23 | 252 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 9 and again by Sep 13; both mature before Nov 16. | Sep 13 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Feb 23–Mar 9 | 266 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 23 and again by Sep 8; both mature before Nov 16. | Sep 8 |
| Bok Choy | Mar 9 | Mar 30–Apr 6 | 217 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 30 and again by Sep 4; both mature before Nov 2. | Sep 4 |
| Collards | Jan 26 | Mar 9–Mar 23 | 252 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 9 and again by Sep 3; both mature before Nov 16. | Sep 3 |
| Cantaloupe | Mar 23 | Apr 20–Apr 27 | 161 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 161 available after Apr 20. | Jun 21 |
| Chives | Jan 12 | Apr 13–Apr 20 | 217 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 217 available after Apr 13. | — |
| Dill | — | Feb 9–May 4 | 266 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 9 and again by Aug 25; both mature before Nov 2. | Aug 25 |
| Oregano | Jan 26 | Apr 13–Apr 20 | 217 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 217 available after Apr 13. | — |
| Rosemary | Jan 12 | Apr 13–Apr 20 | 203 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 203 available after Apr 13. | — |
| Sage | Feb 9 | Apr 13–Apr 20 | 217 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 217 available after Apr 13. | — |
| Thyme | Jan 26 | Apr 13–Apr 20 | 217 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 217 available after Apr 13. | — |
| Calendula | Feb 23 | Mar 23–Apr 6 | 224 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 23 and again by Aug 30; both mature before Nov 2. | Aug 30 |
| Cosmos | Mar 9 | Apr 6–Apr 20 | 189 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 6 and again by Jul 30; both mature before Oct 12. | Jul 30 |
| Lavender | Jan 12 | Apr 6–Apr 20 | 224 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 224 available after Apr 6. | — |
| Marigolds | Feb 23 | Apr 6–Apr 13 | 189 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 6 and again by Aug 9; both mature before Oct 12. | Aug 9 |
| Melons | Mar 23 | Apr 20–Apr 27 | 161 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 161 available after Apr 20. | Jun 21 |
| Mint | — | Apr 6–Apr 20 | 224 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 224 available after Apr 6. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Mar 9 | Apr 6–Apr 13 | 189 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 6 and again by Aug 4; both mature before Oct 12. | Aug 4 |
| Pole Beans | — | Apr 13–Apr 27 | 182 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 182 available after Apr 13. | Jul 25 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Mar 23 | Apr 20–Apr 27 | 168 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 168 available after Apr 20. | Jun 23 |
| Sunflowers | — | Apr 6–Apr 20 | 189 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 189 available after Apr 6. | Jul 20 |
| Tomatillos | Feb 9 | Apr 13–Apr 20 | 168 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 168 available after Apr 13. | Jul 1 |
| Watermelon | Mar 23 | Apr 13–Apr 20 | 168 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 168 available after Apr 13. | Jun 26 |
| Yellow Squash | Mar 23 | Apr 20–Apr 27 | 175 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 20 and again by Aug 4; both mature before Oct 12. | Aug 4 |
| Zinnias | Mar 9 | Apr 6–Apr 20 | 189 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 6 and again by Jul 30; both mature before Oct 12. | Jul 30 |
Month by month in Iuka
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Start indoors: Chives (Jan 12), Lavender (Jan 12), Onion (Jan 12), Rosemary (Jan 12), Celery (Jan 26), Collards (Jan 26), +5 more. |
| February | Start indoors: Broccoli (Feb 9), Brussel Sprouts (Feb 9), Cabbage (Feb 9), Lettuce (Feb 9), Sage (Feb 9), Swiss Chard (Feb 9), +6 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Feb 9), Beets (Feb 9), Dill (Feb 9), Peas (Feb 9), Radish (Feb 9), Spinach (Feb 9), +1 more. |
| March | Start indoors: Basil (Mar 2), Tomato (Mar 2), Bok Choy (Mar 9), Corn (Mar 9), Cosmos (Mar 9), Nasturtiums (Mar 9), +11 more. Direct sow from: Cilantro (Mar 9), Turnip (Mar 9), Carrots (Mar 16), Potatoes (Mar 23). Transplant from: Broccoli (Mar 9), Brussel Sprouts (Mar 9), Cabbage (Mar 9), Collards (Mar 9), Kale (Mar 9), Lettuce (Mar 9), +6 more. Plant: Strawberry (Mar 2). |
| April | Direct sow from: Sunflowers (Apr 6), Beans (Apr 13), Pole Beans (Apr 13). Transplant from: Cosmos (Apr 6), Lavender (Apr 6), Marigolds (Apr 6), Mint (Apr 6), Nasturtiums (Apr 6), Zinnias (Apr 6), +23 more. Last frost around April 6. |
| May | Frost has passed. Transplant tomatoes, peppers, and basil outdoors. Direct sow beans, cucumbers, squash, and zucchini. |
| June | Last sowing dates: Butternut Squash (Jun 13), Pumpkin (Jun 13), Cantaloupe (Jun 21), Celery (Jun 21), Melons (Jun 21), Spaghetti Squash (Jun 23), +2 more. |
| July | Last sowing dates: Pepper (Jul 1), Tomatillos (Jul 1), Eggplant (Jul 6), Corn (Jul 8), Sunflowers (Jul 20), Brussel Sprouts (Jul 25), +6 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Nasturtiums (Aug 4), Okra (Aug 4), Yellow Squash (Aug 4), Zucchini (Aug 4), Cauliflower (Aug 5), Beans (Aug 6), +10 more. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Collards (Sep 3), Scallions (Sep 3), Bok Choy (Sep 4), Lettuce (Sep 4), Kale (Sep 8), Kohlrabi (Sep 8), +4 more. |
| October | Direct sow from: Garlic (Oct 26). First frost around October 26. |
| November | Last sowing dates: Garlic (Nov 16). |
| December | Clean up spent plants. Add compost to beds. Rest, review, and plan next year's garden. |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the last frost date for Iuka, MS (ZIP 38852)?
The median last spring frost date for Iuka, MS (ZIP code 38852) is around April 6. 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 24; one in ten it runs past April 19.
What is the first fall frost date in Iuka, MS?
The median first fall frost date for Iuka, MS is around October 26. 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 8 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Iuka, MS?
The frost-free growing season in Iuka is about 203 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 Iuka (203 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 Iuka, MS?
Iuka, MS is in USDA hardiness zone 7b (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 Iuka, MS?
Start tomatoes indoors Mar 2 and plant out Apr 20 in Iuka. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Iuka?
Two: plant Mar 9 and again by Sep 4; both mature before Nov 2.
When do I plant garlic in Iuka?
Oct 26 to Nov 16; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Can I get two tomato crops in Iuka?
Yes: plant out Apr 20 for a summer crop, and set out a second round of transplants by Jun 26 for a fall crop.
Which nearby ZIP has a longer season?
Tuscumbia (ZIP 35674) has 211 frost-free days, 8 more than Iuka (ZIP 38852). See Tuscumbia ZIP 35674 frost dates
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