Decatur, MS frost dates
Last spring frostMar 25median date
First fall frostNov 2median date
Growing season222 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone8bZone 8b
How Decatur compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Decatur falls between March 4 and April 12, a 39-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 20 and November 20.
- The median last frost is 8 days later than the Mississippi median of Mar 17.
- Its 222-day growing season is longer than 22% of the 435 Mississippi places with a regular frost season (state median 239 days).
- The last frost is 9 days later than the zone 8b median of Mar 16. Hardiness zones measure winter cold, not season length, so use these dates rather than a zone 8b chart.
- The weather station records an average of 64 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Jackson, MS, 101 km away, the last frost here is 19 days later than there and the growing season is 36 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | March 4 |
| 50% (median) | March 25 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | April 12 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 20 |
| 50% (median) | November 2 |
| 90% (late) | November 20 |
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 Decatur, MS
Decatur, MS frost dates — last frost Mar 25, first frost Nov 2, zone 8b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
JFMAMJJASOND
Start indoors: Dec 31 to Jan 14Start indoors: Dec 31 to Jan 14Transplant outside: Feb 25 to Mar 11
Start indoors: Jan 14 to Jan 28Transplant outside: Apr 8 to Apr 22
Start indoors: Jan 14 to Jan 28Transplant outside: Apr 8 to Apr 22
Start indoors: Jan 28 to Feb 11Transplant outside: Apr 1 to Apr 15
Start indoors: Jan 28 to Feb 11Transplant outside: Mar 4 to Mar 18Sow outdoors: Feb 25 to Apr 1Plant for fall: Sep 7 to Oct 5
Start indoors: Jan 28 to Feb 11Transplant outside: Feb 25 to Mar 11Sow outdoors: Feb 25 to Mar 11Plant for fall: Aug 24 to Sep 14
Start indoors: Jan 28 to Feb 11Transplant outside: Mar 11 to Mar 25Plant for fall: Jul 27 to Aug 17
Start indoors: Jan 28 to Feb 11Transplant outside: Mar 4 to Mar 18Plant for fall: Jul 27 to Aug 17
Start indoors: Jan 28 to Feb 11Transplant outside: Mar 11 to Mar 25Plant for fall: Jul 27 to Aug 17
Start indoors: Feb 11 to Feb 25Transplant outside: Apr 15 to Apr 29Sow outdoors: Apr 15 to Apr 29
Start indoors: Feb 11 to Feb 25Transplant outside: Apr 1 to Apr 15
Sow outdoors: Feb 11 to Mar 4Plant for fall: Aug 10 to Aug 31
Sow outdoors: Feb 11 to Mar 4Plant for fall: Sep 7 to Sep 28
Sow outdoors: Feb 18 to Apr 1Plant for fall: Sep 21 to Oct 12
Start indoors: Feb 25 to Mar 4Transplant outside: Apr 8 to Apr 15Sow outdoors: Apr 1 to Apr 15Plant for fall: Aug 17 to Aug 31
Start indoors: Feb 25 to Mar 4Sow outdoors: Apr 1 to Apr 15Plant for fall: Aug 24 to Sep 7
Start indoors: Feb 25 to Mar 4Sow outdoors: Apr 1 to Apr 15
Start indoors: Feb 25 to Mar 4Transplant outside: Apr 8 to Apr 22
Sow outdoors: Mar 4 to Apr 1Plant for fall: Aug 10 to Aug 24
Sow outdoors: Mar 4 to Apr 1Plant for fall: Aug 24 to Sep 7
Sow outdoors: Mar 4 to Mar 25
Sow outdoors: Mar 11 to Apr 8Plant for fall: Aug 24 to Sep 7
Sow outdoors: Mar 11 to Apr 1Plant for fall: Sep 7 to Sep 28
Sow outdoors: Apr 1 to Apr 22Plant for fall: Aug 17 to Aug 31
Sow outdoors: Apr 1 to Apr 15
Transplant outside: Apr 8 to Apr 29
Plant for fall: Oct 19 to Nov 23
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Decatur, MS
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Dec 31 – Jan 14 | Feb 25 – Mar 11 | — | — |
| Peppers | Jan 14 – Jan 28 | Apr 8 – Apr 22 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Jan 14 – Jan 28 | Apr 8 – Apr 22 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Jan 28 – Feb 11 | Apr 1 – Apr 15 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Jan 28 – Feb 11 | Mar 4 – Mar 18 | Feb 25 – Apr 1 | Sep 7 – Oct 5 |
| Kale | Jan 28 – Feb 11 | Feb 25 – Mar 11 | Feb 25 – Mar 11 | Aug 24 – Sep 14 |
| Broccoli | Jan 28 – Feb 11 | Mar 11 – Mar 25 | — | Jul 27 – Aug 17 |
| Cabbage | Jan 28 – Feb 11 | Mar 4 – Mar 18 | — | Jul 27 – Aug 17 |
| Cauliflower | Jan 28 – Feb 11 | Mar 11 – Mar 25 | — | Jul 27 – Aug 17 |
| Okra | Feb 11 – Feb 25 | Apr 15 – Apr 29 | Apr 15 – Apr 29 | — |
| Basil | Feb 11 – Feb 25 | Apr 1 – Apr 15 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Feb 11 – Mar 4 | Aug 10 – Aug 31 |
| Spinach | — | — | Feb 11 – Mar 4 | Sep 7 – Sep 28 |
| Radishes | — | — | Feb 18 – Apr 1 | Sep 21 – Oct 12 |
| Cucumbers | Feb 25 – Mar 4 | Apr 8 – Apr 15 | Apr 1 – Apr 15 | Aug 17 – Aug 31 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Feb 25 – Mar 4 | — | Apr 1 – Apr 15 | Aug 24 – Sep 7 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Feb 25 – Mar 4 | — | Apr 1 – Apr 15 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Feb 25 – Mar 4 | Apr 8 – Apr 22 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Mar 4 – Apr 1 | Aug 10 – Aug 24 |
| Beets | — | — | Mar 4 – Apr 1 | Aug 24 – Sep 7 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Mar 4 – Mar 25 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Mar 11 – Apr 8 | Aug 24 – Sep 7 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Mar 11 – Apr 1 | Sep 7 – Sep 28 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Apr 1 – Apr 22 | Aug 17 – Aug 31 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Apr 1 – Apr 15 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Apr 8 – Apr 29 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 19 – Nov 23 |
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 Newton Exp Stn, MS weather station, 11 km away (elevation 348 ft (106 m)).
Frost dates near Decatur
- Little Rock Mar 24 · Nov 5
- Newton Mar 25 · Nov 2
- Conehatta Mar 28 · Nov 2
- Hickory Mar 24 · Nov 5
- Chunky Mar 24 · Nov 5
- Lawrence Mar 28 · Nov 2
- Union Mar 20 · Nov 9
- Lake Mar 28 · Nov 2
- Sebastopol Mar 28 · Nov 2
- Collinsville Mar 16 · Nov 12
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Decatur, MS?
The median last spring frost in Decatur, MS is March 25. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after April 12, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Decatur, MS?
The median first fall frost is November 2, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 20.
How long is the growing season in Decatur, MS?
About 222 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Decatur, MS?
Decatur, MS is in USDA hardiness zone 8b.