Frost Dates for Morton, MS 39117
Last spring frost March 29 · First fall frost November 3 · 219 frost-free days · USDA Zone 8b
ZIP 39117 has about 10,400 people.
Long season: 219 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans March 14–April 13 (30 days). Fall frost risk spans October 18–November 19 (32 days).
Frost probability for 39117
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | April 13 | March 29 | March 14 |
| Fall (first frost) | October 18 | November 3 | November 19 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at PELAHATCHIE (12.7 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 219-day season in Morton
In Morton (219 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 | 177 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 177 available after Apr 12. | Jul 4 |
| Pepper | Feb 15 | Apr 12–Apr 19 | 177 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 177 available after Apr 12. | Jul 9 |
| Lettuce | Feb 1 | Mar 1–Mar 8 | 254 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 1 and again by Sep 12; both mature before Nov 10. | Sep 12 |
| Carrots | — | Mar 8–Mar 15 | 261 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 261 available after Mar 8. | Sep 1 |
| Cucumber | Mar 8 | Apr 12–Apr 19 | 191 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 12 and again by Aug 7; both mature before Oct 20. | Aug 7 |
| Beans | — | Apr 5–Apr 19 | 205 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 5 and again by Aug 14; both mature before Oct 27. | Aug 14 |
| Peas | — | Feb 1–Apr 12 | 282 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 282 available after Feb 1. | Aug 23 |
| Zucchini | Mar 15 | Apr 12–Apr 19 | 191 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 12 and again by Aug 12; both mature before Oct 20. | Aug 12 |
| Onion | Jan 4 | Mar 1–Mar 15 | 254 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 254 available after Mar 1. | — |
| Spinach | — | Feb 1–Mar 22 | 296 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 1 and again by Oct 1; both mature before Nov 24. | Oct 1 |
| Kale | Jan 18 | Mar 1–Mar 15 | 268 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 1 and again by Sep 16; both mature before Nov 24. | Sep 16 |
| Broccoli | Feb 1 | Mar 1–Mar 15 | 254 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 254 available after Mar 1. | Aug 8 |
| Cabbage | Feb 1 | Mar 1–Mar 15 | 268 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 268 available after Mar 1. | Sep 1 |
| Radish | — | Feb 1–Apr 26 | 282 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 1 and again by Oct 2; both mature before Nov 10. | Oct 2 |
| Beets | — | Feb 1–Apr 26 | 282 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 1 and again by Sep 2; both mature before Nov 10. | Sep 2 |
| Potatoes | — | Mar 15–Mar 22 | 240 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 240 available after Mar 15. | — |
| Garlic | — | Nov 3 | 324 | overwinter: Plant Nov 3 to Nov 24; harvest the following summer. | Nov 24 |
| Strawberry | — | Feb 22–Apr 19 | 275 | 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 | 191 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 191 available after Apr 5. | Jul 16 |
| Pumpkin | Mar 15 | Apr 12–Apr 12 | 184 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 184 available after Apr 12. | Jun 21 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 15 | Mar 22–Apr 5 | 233 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 233 available after Mar 22. | Aug 13 |
| Swiss Chard | Feb 1 | Mar 15–Mar 15 | 240 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 15 and again by Sep 2; both mature before Nov 10. | Sep 2 |
| Arugula | — | Feb 1–Apr 26 | 296 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 1 and again by Oct 1; both mature before Nov 24. | Oct 1 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Feb 1 | Mar 1–Mar 15 | 268 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 268 available after Mar 1. | Aug 2 |
| Butternut Squash | Mar 15 | Apr 12–Apr 19 | 184 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 184 available after Apr 12. | Jun 21 |
| Eggplant | Feb 8 | Apr 12–Apr 19 | 177 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 177 available after Apr 12. | Jul 14 |
| Okra | Mar 1 | Apr 5–Apr 12 | 198 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 5 and again by Aug 12; both mature before Oct 20. | Aug 12 |
| Basil | Feb 22 | Apr 19–Apr 19 | 184 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 19 and again by Aug 7; both mature before Oct 20. | Aug 7 |
| Cilantro | — | Mar 1–Mar 22 | 254 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 1 and again by Sep 7; both mature before Nov 10. | Sep 7 |
| Parsley | Jan 18 | Apr 5–Apr 12 | 219 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 219 available after Apr 5. | Aug 18 |
| Celery | Jan 18 | Apr 5–Apr 19 | 219 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 219 available after Apr 5. | Jun 29 |
| Scallions | Jan 18 | Mar 1–Mar 15 | 268 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 1 and again by Sep 11; both mature before Nov 24. | Sep 11 |
| Turnip | — | Mar 1–Mar 15 | 268 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 1 and again by Sep 21; both mature before Nov 24. | Sep 21 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Feb 15–Mar 1 | 282 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 15 and again by Sep 16; both mature before Nov 24. | Sep 16 |
| Bok Choy | Mar 1 | Mar 22–Mar 29 | 233 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 22 and again by Sep 12; both mature before Nov 10. | Sep 12 |
| Collards | Jan 18 | Mar 1–Mar 15 | 268 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 1 and again by Sep 11; both mature before Nov 24. | Sep 11 |
| Cantaloupe | Mar 15 | Apr 12–Apr 19 | 177 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 177 available after Apr 12. | Jun 29 |
| Chives | Jan 4 | Apr 5–Apr 12 | 233 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 233 available after Apr 5. | — |
| Dill | — | Feb 1–Apr 26 | 282 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 1 and again by Sep 2; both mature before Nov 10. | Sep 2 |
| Oregano | Jan 18 | Apr 5–Apr 12 | 233 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 233 available after Apr 5. | — |
| Rosemary | Jan 4 | Apr 5–Apr 12 | 219 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 219 available after Apr 5. | — |
| Sage | Feb 1 | Apr 5–Apr 12 | 233 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 233 available after Apr 5. | — |
| Thyme | Jan 18 | Apr 5–Apr 12 | 233 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 233 available after Apr 5. | — |
| Calendula | Feb 15 | Mar 15–Mar 29 | 240 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 15 and again by Sep 7; both mature before Nov 10. | Sep 7 |
| Cosmos | Mar 1 | Mar 29–Apr 12 | 205 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 29 and again by Aug 7; both mature before Oct 20. | Aug 7 |
| Lavender | Jan 4 | Mar 29–Apr 12 | 240 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 240 available after Mar 29. | — |
| Marigolds | Feb 15 | Mar 29–Apr 5 | 205 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 29 and again by Aug 17; both mature before Oct 20. | Aug 17 |
| Melons | Mar 15 | Apr 12–Apr 19 | 177 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 177 available after Apr 12. | Jun 29 |
| Mint | — | Mar 29–Apr 12 | 240 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 240 available after Mar 29. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Mar 1 | Mar 29–Apr 5 | 205 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 29 and again by Aug 12; both mature before Oct 20. | Aug 12 |
| Pole Beans | — | Apr 5–Apr 19 | 198 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 198 available after Apr 5. | Aug 2 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Mar 15 | Apr 12–Apr 19 | 184 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 184 available after Apr 12. | Jul 1 |
| Sunflowers | — | Mar 29–Apr 12 | 205 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 205 available after Mar 29. | Jul 28 |
| Tomatillos | Feb 1 | Apr 5–Apr 12 | 184 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 184 available after Apr 5. | Jul 9 |
| Watermelon | Mar 15 | Apr 5–Apr 12 | 184 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 184 available after Apr 5. | Jul 4 |
| Yellow Squash | Mar 15 | Apr 12–Apr 19 | 191 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 12 and again by Aug 12; both mature before Oct 20. | Aug 12 |
| Zinnias | Mar 1 | Mar 29–Apr 12 | 205 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 29 and again by Aug 7; both mature before Oct 20. | Aug 7 |
Month by month in Morton
| 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 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 Morton, MS (ZIP 39117)?
The median last spring frost date for Morton, MS (ZIP code 39117) 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 Morton, MS?
The median first fall frost date for Morton, 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 18 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Morton, MS?
The frost-free growing season in Morton is about 219 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 Morton (219 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 Morton, MS?
Morton, 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 Morton, MS?
Start tomatoes indoors Feb 22 and plant out Apr 12 in Morton. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Morton?
Two: plant Mar 1 and again by Sep 12; both mature before Nov 10.
When do I plant garlic in Morton?
Nov 3 to Nov 24; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Can I get two tomato crops in Morton?
Yes: plant out Apr 12 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?
Brandon (ZIP 39047) has 227 frost-free days, 8 more than Morton (ZIP 39117). See Brandon ZIP 39047 frost dates
Nearby and related
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- Frost dates for Brandon, MS 39047 (18.7 mi)
- Frost dates for Pearl, MS 39208 (25 mi)
- Frost dates for Canton, MS 39046 (29.2 mi)
- Frost dates for Ridgeland, MS 39157 (30.4 mi)
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