Charleston, MS frost dates
Last spring frostMar 7median date
First fall frostNov 17median date
Growing season255 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone8aZone 8a
How Charleston compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Charleston falls between February 15 and March 27, a 40-day window. The first fall frost falls between November 1 and December 7.
- The median last frost is 10 days earlier than the Mississippi median of Mar 17.
- Its 255-day growing season is longer than 83% of the 435 Mississippi places with a regular frost season (state median 239 days).
- The last frost is 22 days earlier than the zone 8a median of Mar 29. Hardiness zones measure winter cold, not season length, so use these dates rather than a zone 8a chart.
- The weather station records an average of 46 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Southaven, MS, 111 km away, the last frost here is 9 days earlier than there and the growing season is 10 days longer.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | February 15 |
| 50% (median) | March 7 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | March 27 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | November 1 |
| 50% (median) | November 17 |
| 90% (late) | December 7 |
Frost here means 32°F (0°C). A median date means half of years have their last frost earlier and half later.
Planting calendar for Charleston, MS
Charleston, MS frost dates — last frost Mar 7, first frost Nov 17, zone 8a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
JFMAMJJASOND
Start indoors: Dec 13 to Dec 27Transplant outside: Feb 7 to Feb 21
Start indoors: Dec 27 to Jan 10Start indoors: Dec 27 to Jan 10Transplant outside: Mar 21 to Apr 4
Start indoors: Dec 27 to Jan 10Start indoors: Dec 27 to Jan 10Transplant outside: Mar 21 to Apr 4
Start indoors: Jan 10 to Jan 24Transplant outside: Mar 14 to Mar 28
Start indoors: Jan 10 to Jan 24Transplant outside: Feb 14 to Feb 28Sow outdoors: Feb 7 to Mar 14Plant for fall: Sep 22 to Oct 20
Start indoors: Jan 10 to Jan 24Transplant outside: Feb 7 to Feb 21Sow outdoors: Feb 7 to Feb 21Plant for fall: Sep 8 to Sep 29
Start indoors: Jan 10 to Jan 24Transplant outside: Feb 21 to Mar 7Plant for fall: Aug 11 to Sep 1
Start indoors: Jan 10 to Jan 24Transplant outside: Feb 14 to Feb 28Plant for fall: Aug 11 to Sep 1
Start indoors: Jan 10 to Jan 24Transplant outside: Feb 21 to Mar 7Plant for fall: Aug 11 to Sep 1
Start indoors: Jan 24 to Feb 7Transplant outside: Mar 28 to Apr 11Sow outdoors: Mar 28 to Apr 11
Start indoors: Jan 24 to Feb 7Transplant outside: Mar 14 to Mar 28
Sow outdoors: Jan 24 to Feb 14Plant for fall: Aug 25 to Sep 15
Sow outdoors: Jan 24 to Feb 14Plant for fall: Sep 22 to Oct 13
Sow outdoors: Jan 31 to Mar 14Plant for fall: Oct 6 to Oct 27
Start indoors: Feb 7 to Feb 14Transplant outside: Mar 21 to Mar 28Sow outdoors: Mar 14 to Mar 28Plant for fall: Sep 1 to Sep 15
Start indoors: Feb 7 to Feb 14Sow outdoors: Mar 14 to Mar 28Plant for fall: Sep 8 to Sep 22
Start indoors: Feb 7 to Feb 14Sow outdoors: Mar 14 to Mar 28
Start indoors: Feb 7 to Feb 14Transplant outside: Mar 21 to Apr 4
Sow outdoors: Feb 14 to Mar 14Plant for fall: Aug 25 to Sep 8
Sow outdoors: Feb 14 to Mar 14Plant for fall: Sep 8 to Sep 22
Sow outdoors: Feb 14 to Mar 7
Sow outdoors: Feb 21 to Mar 21Plant for fall: Sep 8 to Sep 22
Sow outdoors: Feb 21 to Mar 14Plant for fall: Sep 22 to Oct 13
Sow outdoors: Mar 14 to Apr 4Plant for fall: Sep 1 to Sep 15
Sow outdoors: Mar 14 to Mar 28
Transplant outside: Mar 21 to Apr 11
Plant for fall: Nov 3 to Dec 8
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Charleston, MS
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Dec 13 – Dec 27 | Feb 7 – Feb 21 | — | — |
| Peppers | Dec 27 – Jan 10 | Mar 21 – Apr 4 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Dec 27 – Jan 10 | Mar 21 – Apr 4 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Jan 10 – Jan 24 | Mar 14 – Mar 28 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Jan 10 – Jan 24 | Feb 14 – Feb 28 | Feb 7 – Mar 14 | Sep 22 – Oct 20 |
| Kale | Jan 10 – Jan 24 | Feb 7 – Feb 21 | Feb 7 – Feb 21 | Sep 8 – Sep 29 |
| Broccoli | Jan 10 – Jan 24 | Feb 21 – Mar 7 | — | Aug 11 – Sep 1 |
| Cabbage | Jan 10 – Jan 24 | Feb 14 – Feb 28 | — | Aug 11 – Sep 1 |
| Cauliflower | Jan 10 – Jan 24 | Feb 21 – Mar 7 | — | Aug 11 – Sep 1 |
| Okra | Jan 24 – Feb 7 | Mar 28 – Apr 11 | Mar 28 – Apr 11 | — |
| Basil | Jan 24 – Feb 7 | Mar 14 – Mar 28 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Jan 24 – Feb 14 | Aug 25 – Sep 15 |
| Spinach | — | — | Jan 24 – Feb 14 | Sep 22 – Oct 13 |
| Radishes | — | — | Jan 31 – Mar 14 | Oct 6 – Oct 27 |
| Cucumbers | Feb 7 – Feb 14 | Mar 21 – Mar 28 | Mar 14 – Mar 28 | Sep 1 – Sep 15 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Feb 7 – Feb 14 | — | Mar 14 – Mar 28 | Sep 8 – Sep 22 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Feb 7 – Feb 14 | — | Mar 14 – Mar 28 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Feb 7 – Feb 14 | Mar 21 – Apr 4 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Feb 14 – Mar 14 | Aug 25 – Sep 8 |
| Beets | — | — | Feb 14 – Mar 14 | Sep 8 – Sep 22 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Feb 14 – Mar 7 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Feb 21 – Mar 21 | Sep 8 – Sep 22 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Feb 21 – Mar 14 | Sep 22 – Oct 13 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Mar 14 – Apr 4 | Sep 1 – Sep 15 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Mar 14 – Mar 28 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Mar 21 – Apr 11 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Nov 3 – Dec 8 |
Dates come from the median frost dates and common extension-service timing. Adjust for your soil temperature, microclimate and the varieties you grow.
About these dates
Based on 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals for the Minter City, MS weather station, 25 km away (elevation 144 ft (44 m)).
Frost dates near Charleston
- Swan Lake Mar 7 · Nov 17
- Tippo Mar 7 · Nov 17
- Cascilla Mar 7 · Nov 17
- Enid Mar 28 · Nov 2
- Tillatoba Mar 28 · Nov 4
- Glendora Mar 7 · Nov 17
- Scobey Mar 28 · Nov 4
- Webb Mar 7 · Nov 17
- Crowder Mar 17 · Nov 7
- Oakland Apr 1 · Nov 3
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Charleston, MS?
The median last spring frost in Charleston, MS is March 7. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after March 27, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Charleston, MS?
The median first fall frost is November 17, with about a 10% chance of frost before November 1.
How long is the growing season in Charleston, MS?
About 255 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Charleston, MS?
Charleston, MS is in USDA hardiness zone 8a.