Independence, MS frost dates
Last spring frostApr 3median date
First fall frostOct 31median date
Growing season211 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone8aZone 8a
How Independence compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Independence falls between March 15 and April 19, a 35-day window. The first fall frost falls between October 18 and November 16.
- The median last frost is 17 days later than the Mississippi median of Mar 17.
- Its 211-day growing season is longer than 6% of the 435 Mississippi places with a regular frost season (state median 239 days).
- The last frost is 5 days later 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 73 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Southaven, MS, 32 km away, the last frost here is 18 days later than there and the growing season is 34 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | March 15 |
| 50% (median) | April 3 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | April 19 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | October 18 |
| 50% (median) | October 31 |
| 90% (late) | November 16 |
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 Independence, MS
Independence, MS frost dates — last frost Apr 3, first frost Oct 31, zone 8a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
JFMAMJJASOND
Start indoors: Jan 9 to Jan 23Transplant outside: Mar 6 to Mar 20
Start indoors: Jan 23 to Feb 6Transplant outside: Apr 17 to May 1
Start indoors: Jan 23 to Feb 6Transplant outside: Apr 17 to May 1
Start indoors: Feb 6 to Feb 20Transplant outside: Apr 10 to Apr 24
Start indoors: Feb 6 to Feb 20Transplant outside: Mar 13 to Mar 27Sow outdoors: Mar 6 to Apr 10Plant for fall: Sep 5 to Oct 3
Start indoors: Feb 6 to Feb 20Transplant outside: Mar 6 to Mar 20Sow outdoors: Mar 6 to Mar 20Plant for fall: Aug 22 to Sep 12
Start indoors: Feb 6 to Feb 20Transplant outside: Mar 20 to Apr 3Plant for fall: Jul 25 to Aug 15
Start indoors: Feb 6 to Feb 20Transplant outside: Mar 13 to Mar 27Plant for fall: Jul 25 to Aug 15
Start indoors: Feb 6 to Feb 20Transplant outside: Mar 20 to Apr 3Plant for fall: Jul 25 to Aug 15
Start indoors: Feb 20 to Mar 6Transplant outside: Apr 24 to May 8Sow outdoors: Apr 24 to May 8
Start indoors: Feb 20 to Mar 6Transplant outside: Apr 10 to Apr 24
Sow outdoors: Feb 20 to Mar 13Plant for fall: Aug 8 to Aug 29
Sow outdoors: Feb 20 to Mar 13Plant for fall: Sep 5 to Sep 26
Sow outdoors: Feb 27 to Apr 10Plant for fall: Sep 19 to Oct 10
Start indoors: Mar 6 to Mar 13Transplant outside: Apr 17 to Apr 24Sow outdoors: Apr 10 to Apr 24Plant for fall: Aug 15 to Aug 29
Start indoors: Mar 6 to Mar 13Sow outdoors: Apr 10 to Apr 24Plant for fall: Aug 22 to Sep 5
Start indoors: Mar 6 to Mar 13Sow outdoors: Apr 10 to Apr 24
Start indoors: Mar 6 to Mar 13Transplant outside: Apr 17 to May 1
Sow outdoors: Mar 13 to Apr 10Plant for fall: Aug 8 to Aug 22
Sow outdoors: Mar 13 to Apr 10Plant for fall: Aug 22 to Sep 5
Sow outdoors: Mar 13 to Apr 3
Sow outdoors: Mar 20 to Apr 17Plant for fall: Aug 22 to Sep 5
Sow outdoors: Mar 20 to Apr 10Plant for fall: Sep 5 to Sep 26
Sow outdoors: Apr 10 to May 1Plant for fall: Aug 15 to Aug 29
Sow outdoors: Apr 10 to Apr 24
Transplant outside: Apr 17 to May 8
Plant for fall: Oct 17 to Nov 21
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Independence, MS
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Jan 9 – Jan 23 | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | — | — |
| Peppers | Jan 23 – Feb 6 | Apr 17 – May 1 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Jan 23 – Feb 6 | Apr 17 – May 1 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Feb 6 – Feb 20 | Apr 10 – Apr 24 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Feb 6 – Feb 20 | Mar 13 – Mar 27 | Mar 6 – Apr 10 | Sep 5 – Oct 3 |
| Kale | Feb 6 – Feb 20 | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | Mar 6 – Mar 20 | Aug 22 – Sep 12 |
| Broccoli | Feb 6 – Feb 20 | Mar 20 – Apr 3 | — | Jul 25 – Aug 15 |
| Cabbage | Feb 6 – Feb 20 | Mar 13 – Mar 27 | — | Jul 25 – Aug 15 |
| Cauliflower | Feb 6 – Feb 20 | Mar 20 – Apr 3 | — | Jul 25 – Aug 15 |
| Okra | Feb 20 – Mar 6 | Apr 24 – May 8 | Apr 24 – May 8 | — |
| Basil | Feb 20 – Mar 6 | Apr 10 – Apr 24 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Feb 20 – Mar 13 | Aug 8 – Aug 29 |
| Spinach | — | — | Feb 20 – Mar 13 | Sep 5 – Sep 26 |
| Radishes | — | — | Feb 27 – Apr 10 | Sep 19 – Oct 10 |
| Cucumbers | Mar 6 – Mar 13 | Apr 17 – Apr 24 | Apr 10 – Apr 24 | Aug 15 – Aug 29 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Mar 6 – Mar 13 | — | Apr 10 – Apr 24 | Aug 22 – Sep 5 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Mar 6 – Mar 13 | — | Apr 10 – Apr 24 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Mar 6 – Mar 13 | Apr 17 – May 1 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Mar 13 – Apr 10 | Aug 8 – Aug 22 |
| Beets | — | — | Mar 13 – Apr 10 | Aug 22 – Sep 5 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Mar 13 – Apr 3 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Mar 20 – Apr 17 | Aug 22 – Sep 5 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Mar 20 – Apr 10 | Sep 5 – Sep 26 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Apr 10 – May 1 | Aug 15 – Aug 29 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Apr 10 – Apr 24 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Apr 17 – May 8 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 17 – Nov 21 |
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 Independence 1w, MS weather station, about 1 km away (elevation 344 ft (105 m)).
Frost dates near Independence
- Senatobia Mar 20 · Nov 4
- Coldwater Mar 20 · Nov 4
- Hernando Mar 28 · Nov 5
- Como Mar 20 · Nov 4
- Byhalia Mar 26 · Nov 6
- Arkabutla Mar 20 · Nov 4
- Waterford Apr 3 · Oct 31
- Victoria Mar 26 · Nov 6
- Olive Branch Mar 26 · Nov 6
- Nesbit Mar 28 · Nov 5
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Independence, MS?
The median last spring frost in Independence, MS is April 3. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after April 19, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Independence, MS?
The median first fall frost is October 31, with about a 10% chance of frost before October 18.
How long is the growing season in Independence, MS?
About 211 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Independence, MS?
Independence, MS is in USDA hardiness zone 8a.