Forest, MS frost dates
Last spring frostMar 28median date
First fall frostNov 2median date
Growing season219 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone8bZone 8b
How Forest compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Forest falls between March 7 and April 20, a 44-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 20 and November 18.
- The median last frost is 11 days later than the Mississippi median of Mar 17.
- Its 219-day growing season is longer than 13% of the 435 Mississippi places with a regular frost season (state median 239 days).
- The last frost is 12 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 56 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Jackson, MS, 68 km away, the last frost here is 22 days later than there and the growing season is 39 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | March 7 |
| 50% (median) | March 28 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | April 20 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 20 |
| 50% (median) | November 2 |
| 90% (late) | November 18 |
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 Forest, MS
Forest, MS frost dates — last frost Mar 28, first frost Nov 2, zone 8b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
JFMAMJJASOND
Start indoors: Jan 3 to Jan 17Transplant outside: Feb 28 to Mar 14
Start indoors: Jan 17 to Jan 31Transplant outside: Apr 11 to Apr 25
Start indoors: Jan 17 to Jan 31Transplant outside: Apr 11 to Apr 25
Start indoors: Jan 31 to Feb 14Transplant outside: Apr 4 to Apr 18
Start indoors: Jan 31 to Feb 14Transplant outside: Mar 7 to Mar 21Sow outdoors: Feb 28 to Apr 4Plant for fall: Sep 7 to Oct 5
Start indoors: Jan 31 to Feb 14Transplant outside: Feb 28 to Mar 14Sow outdoors: Feb 28 to Mar 14Plant for fall: Aug 24 to Sep 14
Start indoors: Jan 31 to Feb 14Transplant outside: Mar 14 to Mar 28Plant for fall: Jul 27 to Aug 17
Start indoors: Jan 31 to Feb 14Transplant outside: Mar 7 to Mar 21Plant for fall: Jul 27 to Aug 17
Start indoors: Jan 31 to Feb 14Transplant outside: Mar 14 to Mar 28Plant for fall: Jul 27 to Aug 17
Start indoors: Feb 14 to Feb 28Transplant outside: Apr 18 to May 2Sow outdoors: Apr 18 to May 2
Start indoors: Feb 14 to Feb 28Transplant outside: Apr 4 to Apr 18
Sow outdoors: Feb 14 to Mar 7Plant for fall: Aug 10 to Aug 31
Sow outdoors: Feb 14 to Mar 7Plant for fall: Sep 7 to Sep 28
Sow outdoors: Feb 21 to Apr 4Plant for fall: Sep 21 to Oct 12
Start indoors: Feb 28 to Mar 7Transplant outside: Apr 11 to Apr 18Sow outdoors: Apr 4 to Apr 18Plant for fall: Aug 17 to Aug 31
Start indoors: Feb 28 to Mar 7Sow outdoors: Apr 4 to Apr 18Plant for fall: Aug 24 to Sep 7
Start indoors: Feb 28 to Mar 7Sow outdoors: Apr 4 to Apr 18
Start indoors: Feb 28 to Mar 7Transplant outside: Apr 11 to Apr 25
Sow outdoors: Mar 7 to Apr 4Plant for fall: Aug 10 to Aug 24
Sow outdoors: Mar 7 to Apr 4Plant for fall: Aug 24 to Sep 7
Sow outdoors: Mar 7 to Mar 28
Sow outdoors: Mar 14 to Apr 11Plant for fall: Aug 24 to Sep 7
Sow outdoors: Mar 14 to Apr 4Plant for fall: Sep 7 to Sep 28
Sow outdoors: Apr 4 to Apr 25Plant for fall: Aug 17 to Aug 31
Sow outdoors: Apr 4 to Apr 18
Transplant outside: Apr 11 to May 2
Plant for fall: Oct 19 to Nov 23
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Forest, MS
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Jan 3 – Jan 17 | Feb 28 – Mar 14 | — | — |
| Peppers | Jan 17 – Jan 31 | Apr 11 – Apr 25 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Jan 17 – Jan 31 | Apr 11 – Apr 25 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Jan 31 – Feb 14 | Apr 4 – Apr 18 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Jan 31 – Feb 14 | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | Feb 28 – Apr 4 | Sep 7 – Oct 5 |
| Kale | Jan 31 – Feb 14 | Feb 28 – Mar 14 | Feb 28 – Mar 14 | Aug 24 – Sep 14 |
| Broccoli | Jan 31 – Feb 14 | Mar 14 – Mar 28 | — | Jul 27 – Aug 17 |
| Cabbage | Jan 31 – Feb 14 | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | — | Jul 27 – Aug 17 |
| Cauliflower | Jan 31 – Feb 14 | Mar 14 – Mar 28 | — | Jul 27 – Aug 17 |
| Okra | Feb 14 – Feb 28 | Apr 18 – May 2 | Apr 18 – May 2 | — |
| Basil | Feb 14 – Feb 28 | Apr 4 – Apr 18 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Feb 14 – Mar 7 | Aug 10 – Aug 31 |
| Spinach | — | — | Feb 14 – Mar 7 | Sep 7 – Sep 28 |
| Radishes | — | — | Feb 21 – Apr 4 | Sep 21 – Oct 12 |
| Cucumbers | Feb 28 – Mar 7 | Apr 11 – Apr 18 | Apr 4 – Apr 18 | Aug 17 – Aug 31 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Feb 28 – Mar 7 | — | Apr 4 – Apr 18 | Aug 24 – Sep 7 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Feb 28 – Mar 7 | — | Apr 4 – Apr 18 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Feb 28 – Mar 7 | Apr 11 – Apr 25 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Mar 7 – Apr 4 | Aug 10 – Aug 24 |
| Beets | — | — | Mar 7 – Apr 4 | Aug 24 – Sep 7 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Mar 7 – Mar 28 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Mar 14 – Apr 11 | Aug 24 – Sep 7 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Mar 14 – Apr 4 | Sep 7 – Sep 28 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Apr 4 – Apr 25 | Aug 17 – Aug 31 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Apr 4 – Apr 18 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Apr 11 – May 2 | — | — |
| 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 Forest, MS weather station, 5 km away (elevation 449 ft (137 m)).
Frost dates near Forest
- Lake Mar 28 · Nov 2
- Pulaski Mar 28 · Nov 3
- Morton Mar 28 · Nov 2
- Hillsboro Mar 28 · Nov 2
- Harperville Mar 28 · Nov 2
- Lawrence Mar 28 · Nov 2
- Conehatta Mar 28 · Nov 2
- Newton Mar 25 · Nov 2
- Sebastopol Mar 28 · Nov 2
- Walnut Grove Mar 19 · Nov 7
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Forest, MS?
The median last spring frost in Forest, MS is March 28. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after April 20, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Forest, 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 Forest, MS?
About 219 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Forest, MS?
Forest, MS is in USDA hardiness zone 8b.