Frost Dates for Meridian, MS 39305
Last spring frost March 28 · First fall frost November 1 · 218 frost-free days · USDA Zone 8b
ZIP 39305 has about 21,600 people, the largest of 4 ZIP codes in Meridian.
Long season: 218 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans March 12–April 12 (31 days). Fall frost risk spans October 17–November 16 (30 days).
Frost probability for 39305
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | April 12 | March 28 | March 12 |
| Fall (first frost) | October 17 | November 1 | November 16 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at NEWTON EXP STN (36.3 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Frost dates by ZIP code in Meridian, MS
| ZIP | Last spring frost (50%) | First fall frost (50%) | Zone |
|---|---|---|---|
| 39305 | March 28 | November 1 | 8b |
| 39301 | March 25 | November 6 | 8b |
| 39307 | March 25 | November 6 | 8b |
| 39309 | March 31 | October 31 | 8b |
Which crops fit a 218-day season in Meridian
In Meridian (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 21 | Apr 11–Apr 18 | 176 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 176 available after Apr 11. | Jul 2 |
| Pepper | Feb 14 | Apr 11–Apr 18 | 176 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 176 available after Apr 11. | Jul 7 |
| Lettuce | Jan 31 | Feb 28–Mar 7 | 253 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 28 and again by Sep 10; both mature before Nov 8. | Sep 10 |
| Carrots | — | Mar 7–Mar 14 | 260 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 260 available after Mar 7. | Aug 30 |
| Cucumber | Mar 7 | Apr 11–Apr 18 | 190 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 11 and again by Aug 5; both mature before Oct 18. | Aug 5 |
| Beans | — | Apr 4–Apr 18 | 204 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 4 and again by Aug 12; both mature before Oct 25. | Aug 12 |
| Peas | — | Jan 31–Apr 11 | 281 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 281 available after Jan 31. | Aug 21 |
| Zucchini | Mar 14 | Apr 11–Apr 18 | 190 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 11 and again by Aug 10; both mature before Oct 18. | Aug 10 |
| Onion | Jan 3 | Feb 28–Mar 14 | 253 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 253 available after Feb 28. | — |
| Spinach | — | Jan 31–Mar 21 | 295 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 31 and again by Sep 29; both mature before Nov 22. | Sep 29 |
| Kale | Jan 17 | Feb 28–Mar 14 | 267 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 28 and again by Sep 14; both mature before Nov 22. | Sep 14 |
| Broccoli | Jan 31 | Feb 28–Mar 14 | 253 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 253 available after Feb 28. | Aug 6 |
| Cabbage | Jan 31 | Feb 28–Mar 14 | 267 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 267 available after Feb 28. | Aug 30 |
| Radish | — | Jan 31–Apr 25 | 281 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 31 and again by Sep 30; both mature before Nov 8. | Sep 30 |
| Beets | — | Jan 31–Apr 25 | 281 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 31 and again by Aug 31; both mature before Nov 8. | Aug 31 |
| Potatoes | — | Mar 14–Mar 21 | 239 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 239 available after Mar 14. | — |
| Garlic | — | Nov 1 | 323 | overwinter: Plant Nov 1 to Nov 22; harvest the following summer. | Nov 22 |
| Strawberry | — | Feb 21–Apr 18 | 274 | perennial: A perennial: plant Feb 21; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Feb 28 | Apr 4–Apr 11 | 190 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 190 available after Apr 4. | Jul 14 |
| Pumpkin | Mar 14 | Apr 11–Apr 11 | 183 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 183 available after Apr 11. | Jun 19 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 14 | Mar 21–Apr 4 | 232 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 232 available after Mar 21. | Aug 11 |
| Swiss Chard | Jan 31 | Mar 14–Mar 14 | 239 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 14 and again by Aug 31; both mature before Nov 8. | Aug 31 |
| Arugula | — | Jan 31–Apr 25 | 295 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 31 and again by Sep 29; both mature before Nov 22. | Sep 29 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Jan 31 | Feb 28–Mar 14 | 267 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 267 available after Feb 28. | Jul 31 |
| Butternut Squash | Mar 14 | Apr 11–Apr 18 | 183 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 183 available after Apr 11. | Jun 19 |
| Eggplant | Feb 7 | Apr 11–Apr 18 | 176 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 176 available after Apr 11. | Jul 12 |
| Okra | Feb 28 | Apr 4–Apr 11 | 197 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 4 and again by Aug 10; both mature before Oct 18. | Aug 10 |
| Basil | Feb 21 | Apr 18–Apr 18 | 183 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 18 and again by Aug 5; both mature before Oct 18. | Aug 5 |
| Cilantro | — | Feb 28–Mar 21 | 253 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 28 and again by Sep 5; both mature before Nov 8. | Sep 5 |
| Parsley | Jan 17 | Apr 4–Apr 11 | 218 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 218 available after Apr 4. | Aug 16 |
| Celery | Jan 17 | Apr 4–Apr 18 | 218 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 218 available after Apr 4. | Jun 27 |
| Scallions | Jan 17 | Feb 28–Mar 14 | 267 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 28 and again by Sep 9; both mature before Nov 22. | Sep 9 |
| Turnip | — | Feb 28–Mar 14 | 267 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 28 and again by Sep 19; both mature before Nov 22. | Sep 19 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Feb 14–Feb 28 | 281 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 14 and again by Sep 14; both mature before Nov 22. | Sep 14 |
| Bok Choy | Feb 28 | Mar 21–Mar 28 | 232 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 21 and again by Sep 10; both mature before Nov 8. | Sep 10 |
| Collards | Jan 17 | Feb 28–Mar 14 | 267 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 28 and again by Sep 9; both mature before Nov 22. | Sep 9 |
| Cantaloupe | Mar 14 | Apr 11–Apr 18 | 176 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 176 available after Apr 11. | Jun 27 |
| Chives | Jan 3 | Apr 4–Apr 11 | 232 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 232 available after Apr 4. | — |
| Dill | — | Jan 31–Apr 25 | 281 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 31 and again by Aug 31; both mature before Nov 8. | Aug 31 |
| Oregano | Jan 17 | Apr 4–Apr 11 | 232 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 232 available after Apr 4. | — |
| Rosemary | Jan 3 | Apr 4–Apr 11 | 218 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 218 available after Apr 4. | — |
| Sage | Jan 31 | Apr 4–Apr 11 | 232 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 232 available after Apr 4. | — |
| Thyme | Jan 17 | Apr 4–Apr 11 | 232 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 232 available after Apr 4. | — |
| Calendula | Feb 14 | Mar 14–Mar 28 | 239 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 14 and again by Sep 5; both mature before Nov 8. | Sep 5 |
| Cosmos | Feb 28 | Mar 28–Apr 11 | 204 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 28 and again by Aug 5; both mature before Oct 18. | Aug 5 |
| Lavender | Jan 3 | Mar 28–Apr 11 | 239 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 239 available after Mar 28. | — |
| Marigolds | Feb 14 | Mar 28–Apr 4 | 204 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 28 and again by Aug 15; both mature before Oct 18. | Aug 15 |
| Melons | Mar 14 | Apr 11–Apr 18 | 176 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 176 available after Apr 11. | Jun 27 |
| Mint | — | Mar 28–Apr 11 | 239 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 239 available after Mar 28. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Feb 28 | Mar 28–Apr 4 | 204 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 28 and again by Aug 10; both mature before Oct 18. | Aug 10 |
| Pole Beans | — | Apr 4–Apr 18 | 197 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 197 available after Apr 4. | Jul 31 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Mar 14 | Apr 11–Apr 18 | 183 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 183 available after Apr 11. | Jun 29 |
| Sunflowers | — | Mar 28–Apr 11 | 204 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 204 available after Mar 28. | Jul 26 |
| Tomatillos | Jan 31 | Apr 4–Apr 11 | 183 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 183 available after Apr 4. | Jul 7 |
| Watermelon | Mar 14 | Apr 4–Apr 11 | 183 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 183 available after Apr 4. | Jul 2 |
| Yellow Squash | Mar 14 | Apr 11–Apr 18 | 190 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 11 and again by Aug 10; both mature before Oct 18. | Aug 10 |
| Zinnias | Feb 28 | Mar 28–Apr 11 | 204 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 28 and again by Aug 5; both mature before Oct 18. | Aug 5 |
Month by month in Meridian
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Start 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). |
| February | Start 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). |
| March | Start 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. |
| April | Direct 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. |
| May | Succession plant lettuce and greens. Keep beds weeded and watered consistently. |
| June | Last sowing dates: Butternut Squash (Jun 19), Pumpkin (Jun 19), Cantaloupe (Jun 27), Celery (Jun 27), Melons (Jun 27), Spaghetti Squash (Jun 29). |
| July | Last sowing dates: Tomato (Jul 2), Watermelon (Jul 2), Pepper (Jul 7), Tomatillos (Jul 7), Eggplant (Jul 12), Corn (Jul 14), +3 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Basil (Aug 5), Cosmos (Aug 5), Cucumber (Aug 5), Zinnias (Aug 5), Broccoli (Aug 6), Nasturtiums (Aug 10), +13 more. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Calendula (Sep 5), Cilantro (Sep 5), Collards (Sep 9), Scallions (Sep 9), Bok Choy (Sep 10), Lettuce (Sep 10), +6 more. |
| October | First fall frost approaching (around November 1). Transplant fall brassicas. Sow spinach, arugula, and radishes. |
| November | Direct sow from: Garlic (Nov 1). First frost around November 1. Last sowing dates: Garlic (Nov 22). |
| 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 Meridian, MS (ZIP 39305)?
The median last spring frost date for Meridian, MS (ZIP code 39305) 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 12; one in ten it runs past April 12.
What is the first fall frost date in Meridian, MS?
The median first fall frost date for Meridian, MS is around November 1. 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 Meridian, MS?
The frost-free growing season in Meridian 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 Meridian (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 Meridian, MS?
Meridian, 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 Meridian, MS?
Start tomatoes indoors Feb 21 and plant out Apr 11 in Meridian. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Meridian?
Two: plant Feb 28 and again by Sep 10; both mature before Nov 8.
When do I plant garlic in Meridian?
Nov 1 to Nov 22; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Can I get two tomato crops in Meridian?
Yes: plant out Apr 11 for a summer crop, and set out a second round of transplants by Jul 2 for a fall crop.
Which nearby ZIP has a longer season?
Louisville (ZIP 39339) has 228 frost-free days, 10 more than Meridian (ZIP 39305). See Louisville ZIP 39339 frost dates
Nearby and related
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