Frost Dates for Starkville, MS 39759
Last spring frost March 31 · First fall frost November 8 · 222 frost-free days · USDA Zone 8a
ZIP 39759 has about 42,800 people.
Long season: 222 frost-free days. Spring frost risk spans March 16–April 14 (29 days). Fall frost risk spans October 24–November 23 (30 days).
Frost probability for 39759
| Frost | 10% | 50% | 90% |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring (last frost) | April 14 | March 31 | March 16 |
| Fall (first frost) | October 24 | November 8 | November 23 |
Dates come from NOAA 1971–2000 freeze probabilities at LOUISVILLE (40.3 km away); the 50% date is the median year.
Which crops fit a 222-day season in Starkville
In Starkville (222 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 24 | Apr 14–Apr 21 | 180 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 180 available after Apr 14. | Jul 9 |
| Pepper | Feb 17 | Apr 14–Apr 21 | 180 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 180 available after Apr 14. | Jul 14 |
| Lettuce | Feb 3 | Mar 3–Mar 10 | 257 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 3 and again by Sep 17; both mature before Nov 15. | Sep 17 |
| Carrots | — | Mar 10–Mar 17 | 264 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 264 available after Mar 10. | Sep 6 |
| Cucumber | Mar 10 | Apr 14–Apr 21 | 194 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 14 and again by Aug 12; both mature before Oct 25. | Aug 12 |
| Beans | — | Apr 7–Apr 21 | 208 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 7 and again by Aug 19; both mature before Nov 1. | Aug 19 |
| Peas | — | Feb 3–Apr 14 | 285 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 285 available after Feb 3. | Aug 28 |
| Zucchini | Mar 17 | Apr 14–Apr 21 | 194 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 14 and again by Aug 17; both mature before Oct 25. | Aug 17 |
| Onion | Jan 6 | Mar 3–Mar 17 | 257 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 257 available after Mar 3. | — |
| Spinach | — | Feb 3–Mar 24 | 299 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 3 and again by Oct 6; both mature before Nov 29. | Oct 6 |
| Kale | Jan 20 | Mar 3–Mar 17 | 271 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 3 and again by Sep 21; both mature before Nov 29. | Sep 21 |
| Broccoli | Feb 3 | Mar 3–Mar 17 | 257 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 257 available after Mar 3. | Aug 13 |
| Cabbage | Feb 3 | Mar 3–Mar 17 | 271 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 271 available after Mar 3. | Sep 6 |
| Radish | — | Feb 3–Apr 28 | 285 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 3 and again by Oct 7; both mature before Nov 15. | Oct 7 |
| Beets | — | Feb 3–Apr 28 | 285 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 3 and again by Sep 7; both mature before Nov 15. | Sep 7 |
| Potatoes | — | Mar 17–Mar 24 | 243 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 243 available after Mar 17. | — |
| Garlic | — | Nov 8 | 327 | overwinter: Plant Nov 8 to Nov 29; harvest the following summer. | Nov 29 |
| Strawberry | — | Feb 24–Apr 21 | 278 | perennial: A perennial: plant Feb 24; it fruits from the following year and keeps producing for several years. | — |
| Corn | Mar 3 | Apr 7–Apr 14 | 194 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 194 available after Apr 7. | Jul 21 |
| Pumpkin | Mar 17 | Apr 14–Apr 14 | 187 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 187 available after Apr 14. | Jun 26 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 17 | Mar 24–Apr 7 | 236 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 236 available after Mar 24. | Aug 18 |
| Swiss Chard | Feb 3 | Mar 17–Mar 17 | 243 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 17 and again by Sep 7; both mature before Nov 15. | Sep 7 |
| Arugula | — | Feb 3–Apr 28 | 299 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 3 and again by Oct 6; both mature before Nov 29. | Oct 6 |
| Brussel Sprouts | Feb 3 | Mar 3–Mar 17 | 271 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 271 available after Mar 3. | Aug 7 |
| Butternut Squash | Mar 17 | Apr 14–Apr 21 | 187 | fits: 100 days to maturity, 187 available after Apr 14. | Jun 26 |
| Eggplant | Feb 10 | Apr 14–Apr 21 | 180 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 180 available after Apr 14. | Jul 19 |
| Okra | Mar 3 | Apr 7–Apr 14 | 201 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 7 and again by Aug 17; both mature before Oct 25. | Aug 17 |
| Basil | Feb 24 | Apr 21–Apr 21 | 187 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 21 and again by Aug 12; both mature before Oct 25. | Aug 12 |
| Cilantro | — | Mar 3–Mar 24 | 257 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 3 and again by Sep 12; both mature before Nov 15. | Sep 12 |
| Parsley | Jan 20 | Apr 7–Apr 14 | 222 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 222 available after Apr 7. | Aug 23 |
| Celery | Jan 20 | Apr 7–Apr 21 | 222 | fits: 120 days to maturity, 222 available after Apr 7. | Jul 4 |
| Scallions | Jan 20 | Mar 3–Mar 17 | 271 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 3 and again by Sep 16; both mature before Nov 29. | Sep 16 |
| Turnip | — | Mar 3–Mar 17 | 271 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 3 and again by Sep 26; both mature before Nov 29. | Sep 26 |
| Kohlrabi | — | Feb 17–Mar 3 | 285 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 17 and again by Sep 21; both mature before Nov 29. | Sep 21 |
| Bok Choy | Mar 3 | Mar 24–Mar 31 | 236 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 24 and again by Sep 17; both mature before Nov 15. | Sep 17 |
| Collards | Jan 20 | Mar 3–Mar 17 | 271 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 3 and again by Sep 16; both mature before Nov 29. | Sep 16 |
| Cantaloupe | Mar 17 | Apr 14–Apr 21 | 180 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 180 available after Apr 14. | Jul 4 |
| Chives | Jan 6 | Apr 7–Apr 14 | 236 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 236 available after Apr 7. | — |
| Dill | — | Feb 3–Apr 28 | 285 | two-plantings: Plant Feb 3 and again by Sep 7; both mature before Nov 15. | Sep 7 |
| Oregano | Jan 20 | Apr 7–Apr 14 | 236 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 236 available after Apr 7. | — |
| Rosemary | Jan 6 | Apr 7–Apr 14 | 222 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 222 available after Apr 7. | — |
| Sage | Feb 3 | Apr 7–Apr 14 | 236 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 236 available after Apr 7. | — |
| Thyme | Jan 20 | Apr 7–Apr 14 | 236 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 236 available after Apr 7. | — |
| Calendula | Feb 17 | Mar 17–Mar 31 | 243 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 17 and again by Sep 12; both mature before Nov 15. | Sep 12 |
| Cosmos | Mar 3 | Mar 31–Apr 14 | 208 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 31 and again by Aug 12; both mature before Oct 25. | Aug 12 |
| Lavender | Jan 6 | Mar 31–Apr 14 | 243 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 243 available after Mar 31. | — |
| Marigolds | Feb 17 | Mar 31–Apr 7 | 208 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 31 and again by Aug 22; both mature before Oct 25. | Aug 22 |
| Melons | Mar 17 | Apr 14–Apr 21 | 180 | fits: 85 days to maturity, 180 available after Apr 14. | Jul 4 |
| Mint | — | Mar 31–Apr 14 | 243 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 243 available after Mar 31. | — |
| Nasturtiums | Mar 3 | Mar 31–Apr 7 | 208 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 31 and again by Aug 17; both mature before Oct 25. | Aug 17 |
| Pole Beans | — | Apr 7–Apr 21 | 201 | fits: 65 days to maturity, 201 available after Apr 7. | Aug 7 |
| Spaghetti Squash | Mar 17 | Apr 14–Apr 21 | 187 | fits: 90 days to maturity, 187 available after Apr 14. | Jul 6 |
| Sunflowers | — | Mar 31–Apr 14 | 208 | fits: 70 days to maturity, 208 available after Mar 31. | Aug 2 |
| Tomatillos | Feb 3 | Apr 7–Apr 14 | 187 | fits: 75 days to maturity, 187 available after Apr 7. | Jul 14 |
| Watermelon | Mar 17 | Apr 7–Apr 14 | 187 | fits: 80 days to maturity, 187 available after Apr 7. | Jul 9 |
| Yellow Squash | Mar 17 | Apr 14–Apr 21 | 194 | two-plantings: Plant Apr 14 and again by Aug 17; both mature before Oct 25. | Aug 17 |
| Zinnias | Mar 3 | Mar 31–Apr 14 | 208 | two-plantings: Plant Mar 31 and again by Aug 12; both mature before Oct 25. | Aug 12 |
Month by month in Starkville
| Month | What to do |
|---|---|
| January | Start indoors: Chives (Jan 6), Lavender (Jan 6), Onion (Jan 6), Rosemary (Jan 6), Celery (Jan 20), Collards (Jan 20), +5 more. |
| February | Start indoors: Broccoli (Feb 3), Brussel Sprouts (Feb 3), Cabbage (Feb 3), Lettuce (Feb 3), Sage (Feb 3), Swiss Chard (Feb 3), +8 more. Direct sow from: Arugula (Feb 3), Beets (Feb 3), Dill (Feb 3), Peas (Feb 3), Radish (Feb 3), Spinach (Feb 3), +1 more. Plant: Strawberry (Feb 24). |
| March | Start indoors: Bok Choy (Mar 3), Corn (Mar 3), Cosmos (Mar 3), Nasturtiums (Mar 3), Okra (Mar 3), Zinnias (Mar 3), +9 more. Direct sow from: Cilantro (Mar 3), Turnip (Mar 3), Carrots (Mar 10), Potatoes (Mar 17), Sunflowers (Mar 31). Transplant from: Broccoli (Mar 3), Brussel Sprouts (Mar 3), Cabbage (Mar 3), Collards (Mar 3), Kale (Mar 3), Lettuce (Mar 3), +12 more. Last frost around March 31. |
| April | Direct sow from: Beans (Apr 7), Pole Beans (Apr 7). Transplant from: Celery (Apr 7), Chives (Apr 7), Corn (Apr 7), Okra (Apr 7), Oregano (Apr 7), Parsley (Apr 7), +17 more. |
| May | Succession plant lettuce and greens. Keep beds weeded and watered consistently. |
| June | Last sowing dates: Butternut Squash (Jun 26), Pumpkin (Jun 26). |
| July | Last sowing dates: Cantaloupe (Jul 4), Celery (Jul 4), Melons (Jul 4), Spaghetti Squash (Jul 6), Tomato (Jul 9), Watermelon (Jul 9), +4 more. |
| August | Last sowing dates: Sunflowers (Aug 2), Brussel Sprouts (Aug 7), Pole Beans (Aug 7), Basil (Aug 12), Cosmos (Aug 12), Cucumber (Aug 12), +11 more. |
| September | Last sowing dates: Cabbage (Sep 6), Carrots (Sep 6), Beets (Sep 7), Dill (Sep 7), Swiss Chard (Sep 7), Calendula (Sep 12), +8 more. |
| October | Last sowing dates: Arugula (Oct 6), Spinach (Oct 6), Radish (Oct 7). |
| November | Direct sow from: Garlic (Nov 8). First frost around November 8. Last sowing dates: Garlic (Nov 29). |
| 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 Starkville, MS (ZIP 39759)?
The median last spring frost date for Starkville, MS (ZIP code 39759) is around March 31. 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 16; one in ten it runs past April 14.
What is the first fall frost date in Starkville, MS?
The median first fall frost date for Starkville, MS is around November 8. 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 24 in the earliest one-in-ten years, so cover tomatoes and peppers from then.
How long is the growing season in Starkville, MS?
The frost-free growing season in Starkville is about 222 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 Starkville (222 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 Starkville, MS?
Starkville, MS is in USDA hardiness zone 8a (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 Starkville, MS?
Start tomatoes indoors Feb 24 and plant out Apr 14 in Starkville. The planner uses the local median last frost and this crop's indoor-start and transplant offsets.
How many plantings of lettuce fit in Starkville?
Two: plant Mar 3 and again by Sep 17; both mature before Nov 15.
When do I plant garlic in Starkville?
Nov 8 to Nov 29; it overwinters and is ready the following summer.
Can I get two tomato crops in Starkville?
Yes: plant out Apr 14 for a summer crop, and set out a second round of transplants by Jul 9 for a fall crop.
Nearby and related
- Frost dates for West Point, MS 39773 (16.5 mi)
- Frost dates for Louisville, MS 39339 (25 mi)
- Frost dates for Columbus, MS 39702 (27.7 mi)
- Frost dates for Aberdeen, MS 39730 (31.8 mi)
- Frost dates for Amory, MS 38821 (43.4 mi)
- When to plant in MS
- When to plant Peppers in MS
- When to plant Cucumbers in MS
- When to plant Zucchini in MS
- When to plant Butternut Squash in MS
- When to plant Basil in MS
- When to plant Sweet Corn in MS
- Look up another ZIP