Florence, MS frost dates
Last spring frostMar 14median date
First fall frostNov 14median date
Growing season245 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone8bZone 8b
How Florence compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Florence falls between February 22 and April 2, a 39-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 31 and December 4.
- The median last frost is 3 days earlier than the Mississippi median of Mar 17.
- Its 245-day growing season is longer than 64% of the 435 Mississippi places with a regular frost season (state median 239 days).
- The last frost is typical for zone 8b, where the median is Mar 16.
- The weather station records an average of 40 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Jackson, MS, 18 km away, the last frost here is 8 days later than there and the growing season is 13 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | February 22 |
| 50% (median) | March 14 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | April 2 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 31 |
| 50% (median) | November 14 |
| 90% (late) | December 4 |
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 Florence, MS
Florence, MS frost dates — last frost Mar 14, first frost Nov 14, zone 8b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
JFMAMJJASOND
Start indoors: Dec 20 to Jan 3Start indoors: Dec 20 to Jan 3Transplant outside: Feb 14 to Feb 28
Start indoors: Jan 3 to Jan 17Transplant outside: Mar 28 to Apr 11
Start indoors: Jan 3 to Jan 17Transplant outside: Mar 28 to Apr 11
Start indoors: Jan 17 to Jan 31Transplant outside: Mar 21 to Apr 4
Start indoors: Jan 17 to Jan 31Transplant outside: Feb 21 to Mar 7Sow outdoors: Feb 14 to Mar 21Plant for fall: Sep 19 to Oct 17
Start indoors: Jan 17 to Jan 31Transplant outside: Feb 14 to Feb 28Sow outdoors: Feb 14 to Feb 28Plant for fall: Sep 5 to Sep 26
Start indoors: Jan 17 to Jan 31Transplant outside: Feb 28 to Mar 14Plant for fall: Aug 8 to Aug 29
Start indoors: Jan 17 to Jan 31Transplant outside: Feb 21 to Mar 7Plant for fall: Aug 8 to Aug 29
Start indoors: Jan 17 to Jan 31Transplant outside: Feb 28 to Mar 14Plant for fall: Aug 8 to Aug 29
Start indoors: Jan 31 to Feb 14Transplant outside: Apr 4 to Apr 18Sow outdoors: Apr 4 to Apr 18
Start indoors: Jan 31 to Feb 14Transplant outside: Mar 21 to Apr 4
Sow outdoors: Jan 31 to Feb 21Plant for fall: Aug 22 to Sep 12
Sow outdoors: Jan 31 to Feb 21Plant for fall: Sep 19 to Oct 10
Sow outdoors: Feb 7 to Mar 21Plant for fall: Oct 3 to Oct 24
Start indoors: Feb 14 to Feb 21Transplant outside: Mar 28 to Apr 4Sow outdoors: Mar 21 to Apr 4Plant for fall: Aug 29 to Sep 12
Start indoors: Feb 14 to Feb 21Sow outdoors: Mar 21 to Apr 4Plant for fall: Sep 5 to Sep 19
Start indoors: Feb 14 to Feb 21Sow outdoors: Mar 21 to Apr 4
Start indoors: Feb 14 to Feb 21Transplant outside: Mar 28 to Apr 11
Sow outdoors: Feb 21 to Mar 21Plant for fall: Aug 22 to Sep 5
Sow outdoors: Feb 21 to Mar 21Plant for fall: Sep 5 to Sep 19
Sow outdoors: Feb 21 to Mar 14
Sow outdoors: Feb 28 to Mar 28Plant for fall: Sep 5 to Sep 19
Sow outdoors: Feb 28 to Mar 21Plant for fall: Sep 19 to Oct 10
Sow outdoors: Mar 21 to Apr 11Plant for fall: Aug 29 to Sep 12
Sow outdoors: Mar 21 to Apr 4
Transplant outside: Mar 28 to Apr 18
Plant for fall: Oct 31 to Dec 5
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Florence, MS
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Dec 20 – Jan 3 | Feb 14 – Feb 28 | — | — |
| Peppers | Jan 3 – Jan 17 | Mar 28 – Apr 11 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Jan 3 – Jan 17 | Mar 28 – Apr 11 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Jan 17 – Jan 31 | Mar 21 – Apr 4 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Jan 17 – Jan 31 | Feb 21 – Mar 7 | Feb 14 – Mar 21 | Sep 19 – Oct 17 |
| Kale | Jan 17 – Jan 31 | Feb 14 – Feb 28 | Feb 14 – Feb 28 | Sep 5 – Sep 26 |
| Broccoli | Jan 17 – Jan 31 | Feb 28 – Mar 14 | — | Aug 8 – Aug 29 |
| Cabbage | Jan 17 – Jan 31 | Feb 21 – Mar 7 | — | Aug 8 – Aug 29 |
| Cauliflower | Jan 17 – Jan 31 | Feb 28 – Mar 14 | — | Aug 8 – Aug 29 |
| Okra | Jan 31 – Feb 14 | Apr 4 – Apr 18 | Apr 4 – Apr 18 | — |
| Basil | Jan 31 – Feb 14 | Mar 21 – Apr 4 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Jan 31 – Feb 21 | Aug 22 – Sep 12 |
| Spinach | — | — | Jan 31 – Feb 21 | Sep 19 – Oct 10 |
| Radishes | — | — | Feb 7 – Mar 21 | Oct 3 – Oct 24 |
| Cucumbers | Feb 14 – Feb 21 | Mar 28 – Apr 4 | Mar 21 – Apr 4 | Aug 29 – Sep 12 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Feb 14 – Feb 21 | — | Mar 21 – Apr 4 | Sep 5 – Sep 19 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Feb 14 – Feb 21 | — | Mar 21 – Apr 4 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Feb 14 – Feb 21 | Mar 28 – Apr 11 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Feb 21 – Mar 21 | Aug 22 – Sep 5 |
| Beets | — | — | Feb 21 – Mar 21 | Sep 5 – Sep 19 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Feb 21 – Mar 14 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Feb 28 – Mar 28 | Sep 5 – Sep 19 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Feb 28 – Mar 21 | Sep 19 – Oct 10 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Mar 21 – Apr 11 | Aug 29 – Sep 12 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Mar 21 – Apr 4 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Mar 28 – Apr 18 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 31 – Dec 5 |
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 Jackson Intl Ap, MS weather station, 19 km away (elevation 295 ft (90 m)).
Frost dates near Florence
- Richland Mar 14 · Nov 14
- Star Mar 10 · Nov 16
- Whitfield Mar 14 · Nov 14
- Pearl Mar 14 · Nov 14
- Byram Mar 6 · Nov 19
- Piney Woods Mar 10 · Nov 16
- Jackson Mar 6 · Nov 19
- Terry Mar 11 · Nov 16
- Flowood Mar 14 · Nov 14
- Harrisville Mar 10 · Nov 16
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Florence, MS?
The median last spring frost in Florence, MS is March 14. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after April 2, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Florence, MS?
The median first fall frost is November 14, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 31.
How long is the growing season in Florence, MS?
About 245 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Florence, MS?
Florence, MS is in USDA hardiness zone 8b.