Frost Dates for Laurel, MS 39443
Last spring frost March 27 · First fall frost November 3 · 221 frost-free days · USDA Zone 8b
ZIP 39443 has about 22,800 people, the largest of 2 ZIP codes in Laurel.
Long season: 221 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans March 12–April 11 (30 days). Fall frost risk spans October 17–November 19 (33 days).
Frost probability for 39443
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | April 11 | March 27 | March 12 |
| Fall (first frost) | October 17 | November 3 | November 19 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at RICHTON 1 N (41.6 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Frost dates by ZIP code in Laurel, MS
| ZIP | Last spring frost (50%) | First fall frost (50%) | Zone |
|---|---|---|---|
| 39443 | March 27 | November 3 | 8b |
| 39440 | March 20 | November 11 | 8b |
Which crops fit a 221-day season in Laurel
In Laurel (221 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 20 | Apr 10–Apr 17 | 179 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 179 available after Apr 10. | Jul 4 |
| Pepper | Feb 13 | Apr 10–Apr 17 | 179 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 179 available after Apr 10. | Jul 9 |
| Lettuce | Jan 30 | Feb 27–Mar 6 | 256 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 27 and again by Sep 12; both mature before Nov 10. | Sep 12 |
| Carrots | — | Mar 6–Mar 13 | 263 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 263 available after Mar 6. | Sep 1 |
| Cucumber | Mar 6 | Apr 10–Apr 17 | 193 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 10 and again by Aug 7; both mature before Oct 20. | Aug 7 |
| Beans | — | Apr 3–Apr 17 | 207 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 3 and again by Aug 14; both mature before Oct 27. | Aug 14 |
| Peas | — | Jan 30–Apr 10 | 284 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 284 available after Jan 30. | Aug 23 |
| Zucchini | Mar 13 | Apr 10–Apr 17 | 193 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 10 and again by Aug 12; both mature before Oct 20. | Aug 12 |
| Onion | Jan 2 | Feb 27–Mar 13 | 256 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 256 available after Feb 27. | — |
| Spinach | — | Jan 30–Mar 20 | 298 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 30 and again by Oct 1; both mature before Nov 24. | Oct 1 |
| Kale | Jan 16 | Feb 27–Mar 13 | 270 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 27 and again by Sep 16; both mature before Nov 24. | Sep 16 |
| Broccoli | Jan 30 | Feb 27–Mar 13 | 256 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 256 available after Feb 27. | Aug 8 |
| Cabbage | Jan 30 | Feb 27–Mar 13 | 270 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 270 available after Feb 27. | Sep 1 |
| Radish | — | Jan 30–Apr 24 | 284 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 30 and again by Oct 2; both mature before Nov 10. | Oct 2 |
| Beets | — | Jan 30–Apr 24 | 284 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 30 and again by Sep 2; both mature before Nov 10. | Sep 2 |
| Potatoes | — | Mar 13–Mar 20 | 242 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 242 available after Mar 13. | — |
| Garlic | — | Nov 3 | 326 | overwinter: Plant Nov 3 to Nov 24; harvest the following summer. | Nov 24 |
| Strawberry | — | Feb 20–Apr 17 | 277 | perennial: A perennial: plant Feb 20; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Feb 27 | Apr 3–Apr 10 | 193 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 193 available after Apr 3. | Jul 16 |
| Pumpkin | Mar 13 | Apr 10–Apr 10 | 186 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 186 available after Apr 10. | Jun 21 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 13 | Mar 20–Apr 3 | 235 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 235 available after Mar 20. | Aug 13 |
| Swiss Chard | Jan 30 | Mar 13–Mar 13 | 242 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 13 and again by Sep 2; both mature before Nov 10. | Sep 2 |
| Arugula | — | Jan 30–Apr 24 | 298 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 30 and again by Oct 1; both mature before Nov 24. | Oct 1 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Jan 30 | Feb 27–Mar 13 | 270 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 270 available after Feb 27. | Aug 2 |
| Butternut Squash | Mar 13 | Apr 10–Apr 17 | 186 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 186 available after Apr 10. | Jun 21 |
| Eggplant | Feb 6 | Apr 10–Apr 17 | 179 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 179 available after Apr 10. | Jul 14 |
| Okra | Feb 27 | Apr 3–Apr 10 | 200 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 3 and again by Aug 12; both mature before Oct 20. | Aug 12 |
| Basil | Feb 20 | Apr 17–Apr 17 | 186 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 17 and again by Aug 7; both mature before Oct 20. | Aug 7 |
| Cilantro | — | Feb 27–Mar 20 | 256 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 27 and again by Sep 7; both mature before Nov 10. | Sep 7 |
| Parsley | Jan 16 | Apr 3–Apr 10 | 221 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 221 available after Apr 3. | Aug 18 |
| Celery | Jan 16 | Apr 3–Apr 17 | 221 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 221 available after Apr 3. | Jun 29 |
| Scallions | Jan 16 | Feb 27–Mar 13 | 270 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 27 and again by Sep 11; both mature before Nov 24. | Sep 11 |
| Turnip | — | Feb 27–Mar 13 | 270 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 27 and again by Sep 21; both mature before Nov 24. | Sep 21 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Feb 13–Feb 27 | 284 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 13 and again by Sep 16; both mature before Nov 24. | Sep 16 |
| Bok Choy | Feb 27 | Mar 20–Mar 27 | 235 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 20 and again by Sep 12; both mature before Nov 10. | Sep 12 |
| Collards | Jan 16 | Feb 27–Mar 13 | 270 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 27 and again by Sep 11; both mature before Nov 24. | Sep 11 |
| Cantaloupe | Mar 13 | Apr 10–Apr 17 | 179 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 179 available after Apr 10. | Jun 29 |
| Chives | Jan 2 | Apr 3–Apr 10 | 235 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 235 available after Apr 3. | — |
| Dill | — | Jan 30–Apr 24 | 284 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 30 and again by Sep 2; both mature before Nov 10. | Sep 2 |
| Oregano | Jan 16 | Apr 3–Apr 10 | 235 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 235 available after Apr 3. | — |
| Rosemary | Jan 2 | Apr 3–Apr 10 | 221 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 221 available after Apr 3. | — |
| Sage | Jan 30 | Apr 3–Apr 10 | 235 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 235 available after Apr 3. | — |
| Thyme | Jan 16 | Apr 3–Apr 10 | 235 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 235 available after Apr 3. | — |
| Calendula | Feb 13 | Mar 13–Mar 27 | 242 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 13 and again by Sep 7; both mature before Nov 10. | Sep 7 |
| Cosmos | Feb 27 | Mar 27–Apr 10 | 207 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 27 and again by Aug 7; both mature before Oct 20. | Aug 7 |
| Lavender | Jan 2 | Mar 27–Apr 10 | 242 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 242 available after Mar 27. | — |
| Marigolds | Feb 13 | Mar 27–Apr 3 | 207 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 27 and again by Aug 17; both mature before Oct 20. | Aug 17 |
| Melons | Mar 13 | Apr 10–Apr 17 | 179 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 179 available after Apr 10. | Jun 29 |
| Mint | — | Mar 27–Apr 10 | 242 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 242 available after Mar 27. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Feb 27 | Mar 27–Apr 3 | 207 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 27 and again by Aug 12; both mature before Oct 20. | Aug 12 |
| Pole Beans | — | Apr 3–Apr 17 | 200 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 200 available after Apr 3. | Aug 2 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Mar 13 | Apr 10–Apr 17 | 186 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 186 available after Apr 10. | Jul 1 |
| Sunflowers | — | Mar 27–Apr 10 | 207 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 207 available after Mar 27. | Jul 28 |
| Tomatillos | Jan 30 | Apr 3–Apr 10 | 186 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 186 available after Apr 3. | Jul 9 |
| Watermelon | Mar 13 | Apr 3–Apr 10 | 186 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 186 available after Apr 3. | Jul 4 |
| Yellow Squash | Mar 13 | Apr 10–Apr 17 | 193 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 10 and again by Aug 12; both mature before Oct 20. | Aug 12 |
| Zinnias | Feb 27 | Mar 27–Apr 10 | 207 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 27 and again by Aug 7; both mature before Oct 20. | Aug 7 |
Month by month in Laurel
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Start indoors: Chives (Jan 2), Lavender (Jan 2), Onion (Jan 2), Rosemary (Jan 2), Celery (Jan 16), Collards (Jan 16), +12 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Jan 30), Beets (Jan 30), Dill (Jan 30), Peas (Jan 30), Radish (Jan 30), Spinach (Jan 30). |
| February | Start indoors: Eggplant (Feb 6), Calendula (Feb 13), Cauliflower (Feb 13), Marigolds (Feb 13), Pepper (Feb 13), Basil (Feb 20), +7 more. Direct sow from: Kohlrabi (Feb 13), Cilantro (Feb 27), Turnip (Feb 27). Transplant from: Broccoli (Feb 27), Brussel Sprouts (Feb 27), Cabbage (Feb 27), Collards (Feb 27), Kale (Feb 27), Lettuce (Feb 27), +2 more. Plant: Strawberry (Feb 20). |
| March | Start indoors: Cucumber (Mar 6), Butternut Squash (Mar 13), Cantaloupe (Mar 13), Melons (Mar 13), Pumpkin (Mar 13), Spaghetti Squash (Mar 13), +3 more. Direct sow from: Carrots (Mar 6), Potatoes (Mar 13), Sunflowers (Mar 27). Transplant from: Calendula (Mar 13), Swiss Chard (Mar 13), Bok Choy (Mar 20), Cauliflower (Mar 20), Cosmos (Mar 27), Lavender (Mar 27), +4 more. Last frost around March 27. |
| April | Direct sow from: Beans (Apr 3), Pole Beans (Apr 3). Transplant from: Celery (Apr 3), Chives (Apr 3), Corn (Apr 3), Okra (Apr 3), Oregano (Apr 3), Parsley (Apr 3), +17 more. |
| May | Succession plant lettuce and greens. Keep beds weeded and watered consistently. |
| June | Last sowing dates: Butternut Squash (Jun 21), Pumpkin (Jun 21), Cantaloupe (Jun 29), Celery (Jun 29), Melons (Jun 29). |
| July | Last sowing dates: Spaghetti Squash (Jul 1), Tomato (Jul 4), Watermelon (Jul 4), Pepper (Jul 9), Tomatillos (Jul 9), Eggplant (Jul 14), +2 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Brussel Sprouts (Aug 2), Pole Beans (Aug 2), Basil (Aug 7), Cosmos (Aug 7), Cucumber (Aug 7), Zinnias (Aug 7), +10 more. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Cabbage (Sep 1), Carrots (Sep 1), Beets (Sep 2), Dill (Sep 2), Swiss Chard (Sep 2), Calendula (Sep 7), +8 more. |
| October | Last sowing dates: Arugula (Oct 1), Spinach (Oct 1), Radish (Oct 2). |
| November | Direct sow from: Garlic (Nov 3). First frost around November 3. Last sowing dates: Garlic (Nov 24). |
| 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 Laurel, MS (ZIP 39443)?
The median last spring frost date for Laurel, MS (ZIP code 39443) is around March 27. 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 12; one in ten it runs past April 11.
What is the first fall frost date in Laurel, MS?
The median first fall frost date for Laurel, 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 17 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Laurel, MS?
The frost-free growing season in Laurel is about 221 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 Laurel (221 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 Laurel, MS?
Laurel, 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 Laurel, MS?
Start tomatoes indoors Feb 20 and plant out Apr 10 in Laurel. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Laurel?
Two: plant Feb 27 and again by Sep 12; both mature before Nov 10.
When do I plant garlic in Laurel?
Nov 3 to Nov 24; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Can I get two tomato crops in Laurel?
Yes: plant out Apr 10 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?
Ellisville (ZIP 39437) has 248 frost-free days, 27 more than Laurel (ZIP 39443). See Ellisville ZIP 39437 frost dates
Nearby and related
- Frost dates for Ellisville, MS 39437 (12.9 mi)
- Frost dates for Waynesboro, MS 39367 (24.2 mi)
- Frost dates for Petal, MS 39465 (26.7 mi)
- Frost dates for Hattiesburg, MS 39402 (33.2 mi)
- Frost dates for Hattiesburg, MS 39401 (35.3 mi)
- When to plant in MS
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- Look up another ZIP