Frost Dates for Natchez, MS 39120
Last spring frost March 7 · First fall frost November 18 · 256 frost-free days · USDA Zone 8b
ZIP 39120 has about 29,000 people.
Very long season: 256 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans February 17–March 25 (36 days). Fall frost risk spans October 31–December 5 (35 days).
Frost probability for 39120
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | March 25 | March 7 | February 17 |
| Fall (first frost) | October 31 | November 18 | December 5 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at NATCHEZ (8.7 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 256-day season in Natchez
In Natchez (256 frost-free days, a very 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 | Jan 31 | Mar 21–Mar 28 | 214 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 214 available after Mar 21. | Jul 19 |
| Pepper | Jan 24 | Mar 21–Mar 28 | 214 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 214 available after Mar 21. | Jul 24 |
| Lettuce | Jan 10 | Feb 7–Feb 14 | 291 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 7 and again by Sep 27; both mature before Nov 25. | Sep 27 |
| Carrots | — | Feb 14–Feb 21 | 298 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 298 available after Feb 14. | Sep 16 |
| Cucumber | Feb 14 | Mar 21–Mar 28 | 228 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 21 and again by Aug 22; both mature before Nov 4. | Aug 22 |
| Beans | — | Mar 14–Mar 28 | 242 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 14 and again by Aug 29; both mature before Nov 11. | Aug 29 |
| Peas | — | Jan 10–Mar 21 | 319 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 319 available after Jan 10. | Sep 7 |
| Zucchini | Feb 21 | Mar 21–Mar 28 | 228 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 21 and again by Aug 27; both mature before Nov 4. | Aug 27 |
| Onion | Dec 13 | Feb 7–Feb 21 | 291 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 291 available after Feb 7. | — |
| Spinach | — | Jan 10–Feb 28 | 333 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 10 and again by Oct 16; both mature before Dec 9. | Oct 16 |
| Kale | Dec 27 | Feb 7–Feb 21 | 305 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 7 and again by Oct 1; both mature before Dec 9. | Oct 1 |
| Broccoli | Jan 10 | Feb 7–Feb 21 | 291 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 291 available after Feb 7. | Aug 23 |
| Cabbage | Jan 10 | Feb 7–Feb 21 | 305 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 305 available after Feb 7. | Sep 16 |
| Radish | — | Jan 10–Apr 4 | 319 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 10 and again by Oct 17; both mature before Nov 25. | Oct 17 |
| Beets | — | Jan 10–Apr 4 | 319 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 10 and again by Sep 17; both mature before Nov 25. | Sep 17 |
| Potatoes | — | Feb 21–Feb 28 | 277 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 277 available after Feb 21. | — |
| Garlic | — | Nov 18 | 361 | overwinter: Plant Nov 18 to Dec 9; harvest the following summer. | Dec 9 |
| Strawberry | — | Jan 31–Mar 28 | 312 | perennial: A perennial: plant Jan 31; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Feb 7 | Mar 14–Mar 21 | 228 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 228 available after Mar 14. | Jul 31 |
| Pumpkin | Feb 21 | Mar 21–Mar 21 | 221 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 221 available after Mar 21. | Jul 6 |
| Cauliflower | Jan 24 | Feb 28–Mar 14 | 270 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 270 available after Feb 28. | Aug 28 |
| Swiss Chard | Jan 10 | Feb 21–Feb 21 | 277 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 21 and again by Sep 17; both mature before Nov 25. | Sep 17 |
| Arugula | — | Jan 10–Apr 4 | 333 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 10 and again by Oct 16; both mature before Dec 9. | Oct 16 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Jan 10 | Feb 7–Feb 21 | 305 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 305 available after Feb 7. | Aug 17 |
| Butternut Squash | Feb 21 | Mar 21–Mar 28 | 221 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 221 available after Mar 21. | Jul 6 |
| Eggplant | Jan 17 | Mar 21–Mar 28 | 214 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 214 available after Mar 21. | Jul 29 |
| Okra | Feb 7 | Mar 14–Mar 21 | 235 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 14 and again by Aug 27; both mature before Nov 4. | Aug 27 |
| Basil | Jan 31 | Mar 28–Mar 28 | 221 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 28 and again by Aug 22; both mature before Nov 4. | Aug 22 |
| Cilantro | — | Feb 7–Feb 28 | 291 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 7 and again by Sep 22; both mature before Nov 25. | Sep 22 |
| Parsley | Dec 27 | Mar 14–Mar 21 | 256 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 256 available after Mar 14. | Sep 2 |
| Celery | Dec 27 | Mar 14–Mar 28 | 256 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 256 available after Mar 14. | Jul 14 |
| Scallions | Dec 27 | Feb 7–Feb 21 | 305 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 7 and again by Sep 26; both mature before Dec 9. | Sep 26 |
| Turnip | — | Feb 7–Feb 21 | 305 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 7 and again by Oct 6; both mature before Dec 9. | Oct 6 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Jan 24–Feb 7 | 319 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 24 and again by Oct 1; both mature before Dec 9. | Oct 1 |
| Bok Choy | Feb 7 | Feb 28–Mar 7 | 270 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 28 and again by Sep 27; both mature before Nov 25. | Sep 27 |
| Collards | Dec 27 | Feb 7–Feb 21 | 305 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 7 and again by Sep 26; both mature before Dec 9. | Sep 26 |
| Cantaloupe | Feb 21 | Mar 21–Mar 28 | 214 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 214 available after Mar 21. | Jul 14 |
| Chives | Dec 13 | Mar 14–Mar 21 | 270 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 270 available after Mar 14. | — |
| Dill | — | Jan 10–Apr 4 | 319 | two-plantings: Plant Jan 10 and again by Sep 17; both mature before Nov 25. | Sep 17 |
| Oregano | Dec 27 | Mar 14–Mar 21 | 270 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 270 available after Mar 14. | — |
| Rosemary | Dec 13 | Mar 14–Mar 21 | 256 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 256 available after Mar 14. | — |
| Sage | Jan 10 | Mar 14–Mar 21 | 270 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 270 available after Mar 14. | — |
| Thyme | Dec 27 | Mar 14–Mar 21 | 270 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 270 available after Mar 14. | — |
| Calendula | Jan 24 | Feb 21–Mar 7 | 277 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 21 and again by Sep 22; both mature before Nov 25. | Sep 22 |
| Cosmos | Feb 7 | Mar 7–Mar 21 | 242 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 7 and again by Aug 22; both mature before Nov 4. | Aug 22 |
| Lavender | Dec 13 | Mar 7–Mar 21 | 277 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 277 available after Mar 7. | — |
| Marigolds | Jan 24 | Mar 7–Mar 14 | 242 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 7 and again by Sep 1; both mature before Nov 4. | Sep 1 |
| Melons | Feb 21 | Mar 21–Mar 28 | 214 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 214 available after Mar 21. | Jul 14 |
| Mint | — | Mar 7–Mar 21 | 277 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 277 available after Mar 7. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Feb 7 | Mar 7–Mar 14 | 242 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 7 and again by Aug 27; both mature before Nov 4. | Aug 27 |
| Pole Beans | — | Mar 14–Mar 28 | 235 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 235 available after Mar 14. | Aug 17 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Feb 21 | Mar 21–Mar 28 | 221 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 221 available after Mar 21. | Jul 16 |
| Sunflowers | — | Mar 7–Mar 21 | 242 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 242 available after Mar 7. | Aug 12 |
| Tomatillos | Jan 10 | Mar 14–Mar 21 | 221 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 221 available after Mar 14. | Jul 24 |
| Watermelon | Feb 21 | Mar 14–Mar 21 | 221 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 221 available after Mar 14. | Jul 19 |
| Yellow Squash | Feb 21 | Mar 21–Mar 28 | 228 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 21 and again by Aug 27; both mature before Nov 4. | Aug 27 |
| Zinnias | Feb 7 | Mar 7–Mar 21 | 242 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 7 and again by Aug 22; both mature before Nov 4. | Aug 22 |
Month by month in Natchez
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Start indoors: Broccoli (Jan 10), Brussel Sprouts (Jan 10), Cabbage (Jan 10), Lettuce (Jan 10), Sage (Jan 10), Swiss Chard (Jan 10), +8 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Jan 10), Beets (Jan 10), Dill (Jan 10), Peas (Jan 10), Radish (Jan 10), Spinach (Jan 10), +1 more. Plant: Strawberry (Jan 31). |
| February | Start indoors: Bok Choy (Feb 7), Corn (Feb 7), Cosmos (Feb 7), Nasturtiums (Feb 7), Okra (Feb 7), Zinnias (Feb 7), +9 more. Direct sow from: Cilantro (Feb 7), Turnip (Feb 7), Carrots (Feb 14), Potatoes (Feb 21). Transplant from: Broccoli (Feb 7), Brussel Sprouts (Feb 7), Cabbage (Feb 7), Collards (Feb 7), Kale (Feb 7), Lettuce (Feb 7), +6 more. |
| March | Direct sow from: Sunflowers (Mar 7), Beans (Mar 14), Pole Beans (Mar 14). Transplant from: Cosmos (Mar 7), Lavender (Mar 7), Marigolds (Mar 7), Mint (Mar 7), Nasturtiums (Mar 7), Zinnias (Mar 7), +23 more. Last frost around March 7. |
| April | Frost has passed. Transplant tomatoes, peppers, and basil outdoors. Direct sow beans, cucumbers, squash, and zucchini. |
| May | Succession plant lettuce and greens. Keep beds weeded and watered consistently. |
| June | Harvest regularly to encourage production. Monitor for pests and disease. |
| July | Last sowing dates: Butternut Squash (Jul 6), Pumpkin (Jul 6), Cantaloupe (Jul 14), Celery (Jul 14), Melons (Jul 14), Spaghetti Squash (Jul 16), +6 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Sunflowers (Aug 12), Brussel Sprouts (Aug 17), Pole Beans (Aug 17), Basil (Aug 22), Cosmos (Aug 22), Cucumber (Aug 22), +8 more. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Marigolds (Sep 1), Parsley (Sep 2), Peas (Sep 7), Cabbage (Sep 16), Carrots (Sep 16), Beets (Sep 17), +8 more. |
| October | Last sowing dates: Kale (Oct 1), Kohlrabi (Oct 1), Turnip (Oct 6), Arugula (Oct 16), Spinach (Oct 16), Radish (Oct 17). |
| November | Direct sow from: Garlic (Nov 18). First frost around November 18. |
| December | Start indoors: Chives (Dec 13), Lavender (Dec 13), Onion (Dec 13), Rosemary (Dec 13), Celery (Dec 27), Collards (Dec 27), +5 more. Last sowing dates: Garlic (Dec 9). |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the last frost date for Natchez, MS (ZIP 39120)?
The median last spring frost date for Natchez, MS (ZIP code 39120) is around March 7. 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 February 17; one in ten it runs past March 25.
What is the first fall frost date in Natchez, MS?
The median first fall frost date for Natchez, MS is around November 18. 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 31 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Natchez, MS?
The frost-free growing season in Natchez is about 256 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 Natchez (256 frost-free days, a very long season), 30 of 56 planner crops fit outright, 25 get two plantings, 1 crop is perennial.
What USDA hardiness zone is Natchez, MS?
Natchez, 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 Natchez, MS?
Start tomatoes indoors Jan 31 and plant out Mar 21 in Natchez. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Natchez?
Two: plant Feb 7 and again by Sep 27; both mature before Nov 25.
When do I plant garlic in Natchez?
Nov 18 to Dec 9; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Can I get two tomato crops in Natchez?
Yes: plant out Mar 21 for a summer crop, and set out a second round of transplants by Jul 19 for a fall crop.
Which nearby ZIP has a longer season?
Marksville (ZIP 71351) has 270 frost-free days, 14 more than Natchez (ZIP 39120). See Marksville ZIP 71351 frost dates
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