Frost Dates for Ripley, MS 38663
Last spring frost April 8 · First fall frost October 26 · 201 frost-free days · USDA Zone 7b
ZIP 38663 has about 11,300 people.
Long season: 201 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans March 27–April 19 (23 days). Fall frost risk spans October 8–November 14 (37 days).
Frost probability for 38663
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | April 19 | April 8 | March 27 |
| Fall (first frost) | October 8 | October 26 | November 14 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at RIPLEY (5.0 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 201-day season in Ripley
In Ripley (201 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 | Mar 4 | Apr 22–Apr 29 | 159 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 159 available after Apr 22. | Jun 26 |
| Pepper | Feb 25 | Apr 22–Apr 29 | 159 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 159 available after Apr 22. | Jul 1 |
| Lettuce | Feb 11 | Mar 11–Mar 18 | 236 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 11 and again by Sep 4; both mature before Nov 2. | Sep 4 |
| Carrots | — | Mar 18–Mar 25 | 243 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 243 available after Mar 18. | Aug 24 |
| Cucumber | Mar 18 | Apr 22–Apr 29 | 173 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 22 and again by Jul 30; both mature before Oct 12. | Jul 30 |
| Beans | — | Apr 15–Apr 29 | 187 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 15 and again by Aug 6; both mature before Oct 19. | Aug 6 |
| Peas | — | Feb 11–Apr 22 | 264 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 264 available after Feb 11. | Aug 15 |
| Zucchini | Mar 25 | Apr 22–Apr 29 | 173 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 22 and again by Aug 4; both mature before Oct 12. | Aug 4 |
| Onion | Jan 14 | Mar 11–Mar 25 | 236 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 236 available after Mar 11. | — |
| Spinach | — | Feb 11–Apr 1 | 278 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 11 and again by Sep 23; both mature before Nov 16. | Sep 23 |
| Kale | Jan 28 | Mar 11–Mar 25 | 250 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 11 and again by Sep 8; both mature before Nov 16. | Sep 8 |
| Broccoli | Feb 11 | Mar 11–Mar 25 | 236 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 236 available after Mar 11. | Jul 31 |
| Cabbage | Feb 11 | Mar 11–Mar 25 | 250 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 250 available after Mar 11. | Aug 24 |
| Radish | — | Feb 11–May 6 | 264 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 11 and again by Sep 24; both mature before Nov 2. | Sep 24 |
| Beets | — | Feb 11–May 6 | 264 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 11 and again by Aug 25; both mature before Nov 2. | Aug 25 |
| Potatoes | — | Mar 25–Apr 1 | 222 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 222 available after Mar 25. | — |
| Garlic | — | Oct 26 | 306 | overwinter: Plant Oct 26 to Nov 16; harvest the following summer. | Nov 16 |
| Strawberry | — | Mar 4–Apr 29 | 257 | perennial: A perennial: plant Mar 4; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Mar 11 | Apr 15–Apr 22 | 173 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 173 available after Apr 15. | Jul 8 |
| Pumpkin | Mar 25 | Apr 22–Apr 22 | 166 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 166 available after Apr 22. | Jun 13 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 25 | Apr 1–Apr 15 | 215 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 215 available after Apr 1. | Aug 5 |
| Swiss Chard | Feb 11 | Mar 25–Mar 25 | 222 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 25 and again by Aug 25; both mature before Nov 2. | Aug 25 |
| Arugula | — | Feb 11–May 6 | 278 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 11 and again by Sep 23; both mature before Nov 16. | Sep 23 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Feb 11 | Mar 11–Mar 25 | 250 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 250 available after Mar 11. | Jul 25 |
| Butternut Squash | Mar 25 | Apr 22–Apr 29 | 166 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 166 available after Apr 22. | Jun 13 |
| Eggplant | Feb 18 | Apr 22–Apr 29 | 159 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 159 available after Apr 22. | Jul 6 |
| Okra | Mar 11 | Apr 15–Apr 22 | 180 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 15 and again by Aug 4; both mature before Oct 12. | Aug 4 |
| Basil | Mar 4 | Apr 29–Apr 29 | 166 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 29 and again by Jul 30; both mature before Oct 12. | Jul 30 |
| Cilantro | — | Mar 11–Apr 1 | 236 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 11 and again by Aug 30; both mature before Nov 2. | Aug 30 |
| Parsley | Jan 28 | Apr 15–Apr 22 | 201 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 201 available after Apr 15. | Aug 10 |
| Celery | Jan 28 | Apr 15–Apr 29 | 201 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 201 available after Apr 15. | Jun 21 |
| Scallions | Jan 28 | Mar 11–Mar 25 | 250 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 11 and again by Sep 3; both mature before Nov 16. | Sep 3 |
| Turnip | — | Mar 11–Mar 25 | 250 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 11 and again by Sep 13; both mature before Nov 16. | Sep 13 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Feb 25–Mar 11 | 264 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 25 and again by Sep 8; both mature before Nov 16. | Sep 8 |
| Bok Choy | Mar 11 | Apr 1–Apr 8 | 215 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 1 and again by Sep 4; both mature before Nov 2. | Sep 4 |
| Collards | Jan 28 | Mar 11–Mar 25 | 250 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 11 and again by Sep 3; both mature before Nov 16. | Sep 3 |
| Cantaloupe | Mar 25 | Apr 22–Apr 29 | 159 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 159 available after Apr 22. | Jun 21 |
| Chives | Jan 14 | Apr 15–Apr 22 | 215 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 215 available after Apr 15. | — |
| Dill | — | Feb 11–May 6 | 264 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 11 and again by Aug 25; both mature before Nov 2. | Aug 25 |
| Oregano | Jan 28 | Apr 15–Apr 22 | 215 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 215 available after Apr 15. | — |
| Rosemary | Jan 14 | Apr 15–Apr 22 | 201 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 201 available after Apr 15. | — |
| Sage | Feb 11 | Apr 15–Apr 22 | 215 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 215 available after Apr 15. | — |
| Thyme | Jan 28 | Apr 15–Apr 22 | 215 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 215 available after Apr 15. | — |
| Calendula | Feb 25 | Mar 25–Apr 8 | 222 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 25 and again by Aug 30; both mature before Nov 2. | Aug 30 |
| Cosmos | Mar 11 | Apr 8–Apr 22 | 187 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 8 and again by Jul 30; both mature before Oct 12. | Jul 30 |
| Lavender | Jan 14 | Apr 8–Apr 22 | 222 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 222 available after Apr 8. | — |
| Marigolds | Feb 25 | Apr 8–Apr 15 | 187 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 8 and again by Aug 9; both mature before Oct 12. | Aug 9 |
| Melons | Mar 25 | Apr 22–Apr 29 | 159 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 159 available after Apr 22. | Jun 21 |
| Mint | — | Apr 8–Apr 22 | 222 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 222 available after Apr 8. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Mar 11 | Apr 8–Apr 15 | 187 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 8 and again by Aug 4; both mature before Oct 12. | Aug 4 |
| Pole Beans | — | Apr 15–Apr 29 | 180 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 180 available after Apr 15. | Jul 25 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Mar 25 | Apr 22–Apr 29 | 166 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 166 available after Apr 22. | Jun 23 |
| Sunflowers | — | Apr 8–Apr 22 | 187 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 187 available after Apr 8. | Jul 20 |
| Tomatillos | Feb 11 | Apr 15–Apr 22 | 166 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 166 available after Apr 15. | Jul 1 |
| Watermelon | Mar 25 | Apr 15–Apr 22 | 166 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 166 available after Apr 15. | Jun 26 |
| Yellow Squash | Mar 25 | Apr 22–Apr 29 | 173 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 22 and again by Aug 4; both mature before Oct 12. | Aug 4 |
| Zinnias | Mar 11 | Apr 8–Apr 22 | 187 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 8 and again by Jul 30; both mature before Oct 12. | Jul 30 |
Month by month in Ripley
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Start indoors: Chives (Jan 14), Lavender (Jan 14), Onion (Jan 14), Rosemary (Jan 14), Celery (Jan 28), Collards (Jan 28), +5 more. |
| February | Start indoors: Broccoli (Feb 11), Brussel Sprouts (Feb 11), Cabbage (Feb 11), Lettuce (Feb 11), Sage (Feb 11), Swiss Chard (Feb 11), +6 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Feb 11), Beets (Feb 11), Dill (Feb 11), Peas (Feb 11), Radish (Feb 11), Spinach (Feb 11), +1 more. |
| March | Start indoors: Basil (Mar 4), Tomato (Mar 4), Bok Choy (Mar 11), Corn (Mar 11), Cosmos (Mar 11), Nasturtiums (Mar 11), +11 more. Direct sow from: Cilantro (Mar 11), Turnip (Mar 11), Carrots (Mar 18), Potatoes (Mar 25). Transplant from: Broccoli (Mar 11), Brussel Sprouts (Mar 11), Cabbage (Mar 11), Collards (Mar 11), Kale (Mar 11), Lettuce (Mar 11), +4 more. Plant: Strawberry (Mar 4). |
| April | Direct sow from: Sunflowers (Apr 8), Beans (Apr 15), Pole Beans (Apr 15). Transplant from: Bok Choy (Apr 1), Cauliflower (Apr 1), Cosmos (Apr 8), Lavender (Apr 8), Marigolds (Apr 8), Mint (Apr 8), +25 more. Last frost around April 8. |
| May | Frost has passed. Transplant tomatoes, peppers, and basil outdoors. Direct sow beans, cucumbers, squash, and zucchini. |
| June | Last sowing dates: Butternut Squash (Jun 13), Pumpkin (Jun 13), Cantaloupe (Jun 21), Celery (Jun 21), Melons (Jun 21), Spaghetti Squash (Jun 23), +2 more. |
| July | Last sowing dates: Pepper (Jul 1), Tomatillos (Jul 1), Eggplant (Jul 6), Corn (Jul 8), Sunflowers (Jul 20), Brussel Sprouts (Jul 25), +6 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Nasturtiums (Aug 4), Okra (Aug 4), Yellow Squash (Aug 4), Zucchini (Aug 4), Cauliflower (Aug 5), Beans (Aug 6), +10 more. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Collards (Sep 3), Scallions (Sep 3), Bok Choy (Sep 4), Lettuce (Sep 4), Kale (Sep 8), Kohlrabi (Sep 8), +4 more. |
| October | Direct sow from: Garlic (Oct 26). First frost around October 26. |
| November | Last sowing dates: Garlic (Nov 16). |
| December | Clean up spent plants. Add compost to beds. Rest, review, and plan next year's garden. |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the last frost date for Ripley, MS (ZIP 38663)?
The median last spring frost date for Ripley, MS (ZIP code 38663) is around April 8. 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 27; one in ten it runs past April 19.
What is the first fall frost date in Ripley, MS?
The median first fall frost date for Ripley, MS is around October 26. 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 8 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Ripley, MS?
The frost-free growing season in Ripley is about 201 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 Ripley (201 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 Ripley, MS?
Ripley, MS is in USDA hardiness zone 7b (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 Ripley, MS?
Start tomatoes indoors Mar 4 and plant out Apr 22 in Ripley. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Ripley?
Two: plant Mar 11 and again by Sep 4; both mature before Nov 2.
When do I plant garlic in Ripley?
Oct 26 to Nov 16; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Can I get two tomato crops in Ripley?
Yes: plant out Apr 22 for a summer crop, and set out a second round of transplants by Jun 26 for a fall crop.
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