Houston, MS frost dates
Last spring frostMar 28median date
First fall frostNov 1median date
Growing season218 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone8aZone 8a
How Houston compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Houston falls between March 6 and April 15, a 40-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 19 and November 21.
- The median last frost is 11 days later than the Mississippi median of Mar 17.
- Its 218-day growing season is longer than 12% of the 435 Mississippi places with a regular frost season (state median 239 days).
- The last frost is typical for zone 8a, where the median is Mar 29.
- The weather station records an average of 70 nights a year at or below 32°F.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | March 6 |
| 50% (median) | March 28 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | April 15 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 19 |
| 50% (median) | November 1 |
| 90% (late) | November 21 |
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 Houston, MS
Houston, MS frost dates — last frost Mar 28, first frost Nov 1, zone 8a. 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 6 to Oct 4
Start indoors: Jan 31 to Feb 14Transplant outside: Feb 28 to Mar 14Sow outdoors: Feb 28 to Mar 14Plant for fall: Aug 23 to Sep 13
Start indoors: Jan 31 to Feb 14Transplant outside: Mar 14 to Mar 28Plant for fall: Jul 26 to Aug 16
Start indoors: Jan 31 to Feb 14Transplant outside: Mar 7 to Mar 21Plant for fall: Jul 26 to Aug 16
Start indoors: Jan 31 to Feb 14Transplant outside: Mar 14 to Mar 28Plant for fall: Jul 26 to Aug 16
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 9 to Aug 30
Sow outdoors: Feb 14 to Mar 7Plant for fall: Sep 6 to Sep 27
Sow outdoors: Feb 21 to Apr 4Plant for fall: Sep 20 to Oct 11
Start indoors: Feb 28 to Mar 7Transplant outside: Apr 11 to Apr 18Sow outdoors: Apr 4 to Apr 18Plant for fall: Aug 16 to Aug 30
Start indoors: Feb 28 to Mar 7Sow outdoors: Apr 4 to Apr 18Plant for fall: Aug 23 to Sep 6
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 9 to Aug 23
Sow outdoors: Mar 7 to Apr 4Plant for fall: Aug 23 to Sep 6
Sow outdoors: Mar 7 to Mar 28
Sow outdoors: Mar 14 to Apr 11Plant for fall: Aug 23 to Sep 6
Sow outdoors: Mar 14 to Apr 4Plant for fall: Sep 6 to Sep 27
Sow outdoors: Apr 4 to Apr 25Plant for fall: Aug 16 to Aug 30
Sow outdoors: Apr 4 to Apr 18
Transplant outside: Apr 11 to May 2
Plant for fall: Oct 18 to Nov 22
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Houston, 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 6 – Oct 4 |
| Kale | Jan 31 – Feb 14 | Feb 28 – Mar 14 | Feb 28 – Mar 14 | Aug 23 – Sep 13 |
| Broccoli | Jan 31 – Feb 14 | Mar 14 – Mar 28 | — | Jul 26 – Aug 16 |
| Cabbage | Jan 31 – Feb 14 | Mar 7 – Mar 21 | — | Jul 26 – Aug 16 |
| Cauliflower | Jan 31 – Feb 14 | Mar 14 – Mar 28 | — | Jul 26 – Aug 16 |
| 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 9 – Aug 30 |
| Spinach | — | — | Feb 14 – Mar 7 | Sep 6 – Sep 27 |
| Radishes | — | — | Feb 21 – Apr 4 | Sep 20 – Oct 11 |
| Cucumbers | Feb 28 – Mar 7 | Apr 11 – Apr 18 | Apr 4 – Apr 18 | Aug 16 – Aug 30 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Feb 28 – Mar 7 | — | Apr 4 – Apr 18 | Aug 23 – Sep 6 |
| 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 9 – Aug 23 |
| Beets | — | — | Mar 7 – Apr 4 | Aug 23 – Sep 6 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Mar 7 – Mar 28 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Mar 14 – Apr 11 | Aug 23 – Sep 6 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Mar 14 – Apr 4 | Sep 6 – Sep 27 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Apr 4 – Apr 25 | Aug 16 – Aug 30 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Apr 4 – Apr 18 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Apr 11 – May 2 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 18 – Nov 22 |
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 Houston, MS weather station, 3 km away (elevation 289 ft (88 m)).
Frost dates near Houston
- Trebloc Mar 28 · Nov 1
- Van Vleet Mar 28 · Nov 1
- Woodland Mar 28 · Nov 1
- Houlka Mar 28 · Nov 8
- Okolona Mar 21 · Nov 9
- Montpelier Mar 28 · Nov 1
- Vardaman Mar 28 · Nov 5
- Mantee Mar 30 · Nov 4
- Algoma Mar 28 · Nov 8
- Prairie Mar 29 · Nov 5
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Houston, MS?
The median last spring frost in Houston, MS is March 28. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after April 15, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Houston, MS?
The median first fall frost is November 1, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 19.
How long is the growing season in Houston, MS?
About 218 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Houston, MS?
Houston, MS is in USDA hardiness zone 8a.