Frost Dates for Jackson, MS 39204
Jackson has 13 ZIP codes. The Jackson, MS frost page lists all of them with their dates.
Last spring frost March 23 · First fall frost November 9 · 231 frost-free days · USDA Zone 8b
ZIP 39204 has about 13,200 people, one of 13 ZIP codes in Jackson.
Long season: 231 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans March 5–April 8 (34 days). Fall frost risk spans October 23–November 26 (34 days).
Frost probability for 39204
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | April 8 | March 23 | March 5 |
| Fall (first frost) | October 23 | November 9 | November 26 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at JACKSON INTL AP (15.5 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 231-day season in Jackson
In Jackson (231 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 16 | Apr 6–Apr 13 | 189 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 189 available after Apr 6. | Jul 10 |
| Pepper | Feb 9 | Apr 6–Apr 13 | 189 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 189 available after Apr 6. | Jul 15 |
| Lettuce | Jan 26 | Feb 23–Mar 2 | 266 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 23 and again by Sep 18; both mature before Nov 16. | Sep 18 |
| Carrots | — | Mar 2–Mar 9 | 273 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 273 available after Mar 2. | Sep 7 |
| Cucumber | Mar 2 | Apr 6–Apr 13 | 203 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 6 and again by Aug 13; both mature before Oct 26. | Aug 13 |
| Beans | — | Mar 30–Apr 13 | 217 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 30 and again by Aug 20; both mature before Nov 2. | Aug 20 |
| Peas | — | Jan 26–Apr 6 | 294 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 294 available after Jan 26. | Aug 29 |
| Zucchini | Mar 9 | Apr 6–Apr 13 | 203 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 6 and again by Aug 18; both mature before Oct 26. | Aug 18 |
| Onion | Dec 29 | Feb 23–Mar 9 | 266 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 266 available after Feb 23. | — |
| Spinach | — | Jan 26–Mar 16 | 308 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 26 and again by Oct 7; both mature before Nov 30. | Oct 7 |
| Kale | Jan 12 | Feb 23–Mar 9 | 280 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 23 and again by Sep 22; both mature before Nov 30. | Sep 22 |
| Broccoli | Jan 26 | Feb 23–Mar 9 | 266 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 266 available after Feb 23. | Aug 14 |
| Cabbage | Jan 26 | Feb 23–Mar 9 | 280 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 280 available after Feb 23. | Sep 7 |
| Radish | — | Jan 26–Apr 20 | 294 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 26 and again by Oct 8; both mature before Nov 16. | Oct 8 |
| Beets | — | Jan 26–Apr 20 | 294 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 26 and again by Sep 8; both mature before Nov 16. | Sep 8 |
| Potatoes | — | Mar 9–Mar 16 | 252 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 252 available after Mar 9. | — |
| Garlic | — | Nov 9 | 336 | overwinter: Plant Nov 9 to Nov 30; harvest the following summer. | Nov 30 |
| Strawberry | — | Feb 16–Apr 13 | 287 | perennial: A perennial: plant Feb 16; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Feb 23 | Mar 30–Apr 6 | 203 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 203 available after Mar 30. | Jul 22 |
| Pumpkin | Mar 9 | Apr 6–Apr 6 | 196 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 196 available after Apr 6. | Jun 27 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 9 | Mar 16–Mar 30 | 245 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 245 available after Mar 16. | Aug 19 |
| Swiss Chard | Jan 26 | Mar 9–Mar 9 | 252 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 9 and again by Sep 8; both mature before Nov 16. | Sep 8 |
| Arugula | — | Jan 26–Apr 20 | 308 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 26 and again by Oct 7; both mature before Nov 30. | Oct 7 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Jan 26 | Feb 23–Mar 9 | 280 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 280 available after Feb 23. | Aug 8 |
| Butternut Squash | Mar 9 | Apr 6–Apr 13 | 196 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 196 available after Apr 6. | Jun 27 |
| Eggplant | Feb 2 | Apr 6–Apr 13 | 189 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 189 available after Apr 6. | Jul 20 |
| Okra | Feb 23 | Mar 30–Apr 6 | 210 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 30 and again by Aug 18; both mature before Oct 26. | Aug 18 |
| Basil | Feb 16 | Apr 13–Apr 13 | 196 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 13 and again by Aug 13; both mature before Oct 26. | Aug 13 |
| Cilantro | — | Feb 23–Mar 16 | 266 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 23 and again by Sep 13; both mature before Nov 16. | Sep 13 |
| Parsley | Jan 12 | Mar 30–Apr 6 | 231 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 231 available after Mar 30. | Aug 24 |
| Celery | Jan 12 | Mar 30–Apr 13 | 231 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 231 available after Mar 30. | Jul 5 |
| Scallions | Jan 12 | Feb 23–Mar 9 | 280 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 23 and again by Sep 17; both mature before Nov 30. | Sep 17 |
| Turnip | — | Feb 23–Mar 9 | 280 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 23 and again by Sep 27; both mature before Nov 30. | Sep 27 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Feb 9–Feb 23 | 294 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 9 and again by Sep 22; both mature before Nov 30. | Sep 22 |
| Bok Choy | Feb 23 | Mar 16–Mar 23 | 245 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 16 and again by Sep 18; both mature before Nov 16. | Sep 18 |
| Collards | Jan 12 | Feb 23–Mar 9 | 280 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 23 and again by Sep 17; both mature before Nov 30. | Sep 17 |
| Cantaloupe | Mar 9 | Apr 6–Apr 13 | 189 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 189 available after Apr 6. | Jul 5 |
| Chives | Dec 29 | Mar 30–Apr 6 | 245 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 245 available after Mar 30. | — |
| Dill | — | Jan 26–Apr 20 | 294 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 26 and again by Sep 8; both mature before Nov 16. | Sep 8 |
| Oregano | Jan 12 | Mar 30–Apr 6 | 245 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 245 available after Mar 30. | — |
| Rosemary | Dec 29 | Mar 30–Apr 6 | 231 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 231 available after Mar 30. | — |
| Sage | Jan 26 | Mar 30–Apr 6 | 245 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 245 available after Mar 30. | — |
| Thyme | Jan 12 | Mar 30–Apr 6 | 245 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 245 available after Mar 30. | — |
| Calendula | Feb 9 | Mar 9–Mar 23 | 252 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 9 and again by Sep 13; both mature before Nov 16. | Sep 13 |
| Cosmos | Feb 23 | Mar 23–Apr 6 | 217 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 23 and again by Aug 13; both mature before Oct 26. | Aug 13 |
| Lavender | Dec 29 | Mar 23–Apr 6 | 252 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 252 available after Mar 23. | — |
| Marigolds | Feb 9 | Mar 23–Mar 30 | 217 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 23 and again by Aug 23; both mature before Oct 26. | Aug 23 |
| Melons | Mar 9 | Apr 6–Apr 13 | 189 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 189 available after Apr 6. | Jul 5 |
| Mint | — | Mar 23–Apr 6 | 252 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 252 available after Mar 23. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Feb 23 | Mar 23–Mar 30 | 217 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 23 and again by Aug 18; both mature before Oct 26. | Aug 18 |
| Pole Beans | — | Mar 30–Apr 13 | 210 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 210 available after Mar 30. | Aug 8 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Mar 9 | Apr 6–Apr 13 | 196 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 196 available after Apr 6. | Jul 7 |
| Sunflowers | — | Mar 23–Apr 6 | 217 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 217 available after Mar 23. | Aug 3 |
| Tomatillos | Jan 26 | Mar 30–Apr 6 | 196 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 196 available after Mar 30. | Jul 15 |
| Watermelon | Mar 9 | Mar 30–Apr 6 | 196 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 196 available after Mar 30. | Jul 10 |
| Yellow Squash | Mar 9 | Apr 6–Apr 13 | 203 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 6 and again by Aug 18; both mature before Oct 26. | Aug 18 |
| Zinnias | Feb 23 | Mar 23–Apr 6 | 217 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 23 and again by Aug 13; both mature before Oct 26. | Aug 13 |
Month by month in Jackson
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Start indoors: Celery (Jan 12), Collards (Jan 12), Kale (Jan 12), Oregano (Jan 12), Parsley (Jan 12), Scallions (Jan 12), +8 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Jan 26), Beets (Jan 26), Dill (Jan 26), Peas (Jan 26), Radish (Jan 26), Spinach (Jan 26). |
| February | Start indoors: Eggplant (Feb 2), Calendula (Feb 9), Cauliflower (Feb 9), Marigolds (Feb 9), Pepper (Feb 9), Basil (Feb 16), +7 more. Direct sow from: Kohlrabi (Feb 9), Cilantro (Feb 23), Turnip (Feb 23). Transplant from: Broccoli (Feb 23), Brussel Sprouts (Feb 23), Cabbage (Feb 23), Collards (Feb 23), Kale (Feb 23), Lettuce (Feb 23), +2 more. Plant: Strawberry (Feb 16). |
| March | Start indoors: Cucumber (Mar 2), Butternut Squash (Mar 9), Cantaloupe (Mar 9), Melons (Mar 9), Pumpkin (Mar 9), Spaghetti Squash (Mar 9), +3 more. Direct sow from: Carrots (Mar 2), Potatoes (Mar 9), Sunflowers (Mar 23), Beans (Mar 30), Pole Beans (Mar 30). Transplant from: Calendula (Mar 9), Swiss Chard (Mar 9), Bok Choy (Mar 16), Cauliflower (Mar 16), Cosmos (Mar 23), Lavender (Mar 23), +15 more. Last frost around March 23. |
| April | Transplant from: Butternut Squash (Apr 6), Cantaloupe (Apr 6), Cucumber (Apr 6), Eggplant (Apr 6), Melons (Apr 6), Pepper (Apr 6), +6 more. |
| May | Succession plant lettuce and greens. Keep beds weeded and watered consistently. |
| June | Last sowing dates: Butternut Squash (Jun 27), Pumpkin (Jun 27). |
| July | Last sowing dates: Cantaloupe (Jul 5), Celery (Jul 5), Melons (Jul 5), Spaghetti Squash (Jul 7), Tomato (Jul 10), Watermelon (Jul 10), +4 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Sunflowers (Aug 3), Brussel Sprouts (Aug 8), Pole Beans (Aug 8), Basil (Aug 13), Cosmos (Aug 13), Cucumber (Aug 13), +11 more. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Cabbage (Sep 7), Carrots (Sep 7), Beets (Sep 8), Dill (Sep 8), Swiss Chard (Sep 8), Calendula (Sep 13), +8 more. |
| October | Last sowing dates: Arugula (Oct 7), Spinach (Oct 7), Radish (Oct 8). |
| November | Direct sow from: Garlic (Nov 9). First frost around November 9. Last sowing dates: Garlic (Nov 30). |
| December | Start indoors: Chives (Dec 29), Lavender (Dec 29), Onion (Dec 29), Rosemary (Dec 29). |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the last frost date for Jackson, MS (ZIP 39204)?
The median last spring frost date for Jackson, MS (ZIP code 39204) is around March 23. 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 5; one in ten it runs past April 8.
What is the first fall frost date in Jackson, MS?
The median first fall frost date for Jackson, 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 23 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Jackson, MS?
The frost-free growing season in Jackson is about 231 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 Jackson (231 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 Jackson, MS?
Jackson, 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 Jackson, MS?
Start tomatoes indoors Feb 16 and plant out Apr 6 in Jackson. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Jackson?
Two: plant Feb 23 and again by Sep 18; both mature before Nov 16.
When do I plant garlic in Jackson?
Nov 9 to Nov 30; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Can I get two tomato crops in Jackson?
Yes: plant out Apr 6 for a summer crop, and set out a second round of transplants by Jul 10 for a fall crop.
Nearby and related
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- Frost dates for Ridgeland, MS 39157 (10.6 mi)
- When to plant in Jackson, MS: month-by-month guide
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