Petal, MS frost dates
Last spring frostMar 8median date
First fall frostNov 15median date
Growing season252 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone8bZone 8b
How Petal compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Petal falls between February 16 and March 28, a 40-day window. The first fall frost falls between November 1 and December 4.
- The median last frost is 9 days earlier than the Mississippi median of Mar 17.
- Its 252-day growing season is longer than 80% of the 435 Mississippi places with a regular frost season (state median 239 days).
- The last frost is 8 days earlier 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 34 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Gulfport, MS, 105 km away, the last frost here is 13 days later than there and the growing season is 31 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | February 16 |
| 50% (median) | March 8 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | March 28 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | November 1 |
| 50% (median) | November 15 |
| 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 Petal, MS
Petal, MS frost dates — last frost Mar 8, first frost Nov 15, zone 8b. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
JFMAMJJASOND
Start indoors: Dec 14 to Dec 28Transplant outside: Feb 8 to Feb 22
Start indoors: Dec 28 to Jan 11Start indoors: Dec 28 to Jan 11Transplant outside: Mar 22 to Apr 5
Start indoors: Dec 28 to Jan 11Start indoors: Dec 28 to Jan 11Transplant outside: Mar 22 to Apr 5
Start indoors: Jan 11 to Jan 25Transplant outside: Mar 15 to Mar 29
Start indoors: Jan 11 to Jan 25Transplant outside: Feb 15 to Mar 1Sow outdoors: Feb 8 to Mar 15Plant for fall: Sep 20 to Oct 18
Start indoors: Jan 11 to Jan 25Transplant outside: Feb 8 to Feb 22Sow outdoors: Feb 8 to Feb 22Plant for fall: Sep 6 to Sep 27
Start indoors: Jan 11 to Jan 25Transplant outside: Feb 22 to Mar 8Plant for fall: Aug 9 to Aug 30
Start indoors: Jan 11 to Jan 25Transplant outside: Feb 15 to Mar 1Plant for fall: Aug 9 to Aug 30
Start indoors: Jan 11 to Jan 25Transplant outside: Feb 22 to Mar 8Plant for fall: Aug 9 to Aug 30
Start indoors: Jan 25 to Feb 8Transplant outside: Mar 29 to Apr 12Sow outdoors: Mar 29 to Apr 12
Start indoors: Jan 25 to Feb 8Transplant outside: Mar 15 to Mar 29
Sow outdoors: Jan 25 to Feb 15Plant for fall: Aug 23 to Sep 13
Sow outdoors: Jan 25 to Feb 15Plant for fall: Sep 20 to Oct 11
Sow outdoors: Feb 1 to Mar 15Plant for fall: Oct 4 to Oct 25
Start indoors: Feb 8 to Feb 15Transplant outside: Mar 22 to Mar 29Sow outdoors: Mar 15 to Mar 29Plant for fall: Aug 30 to Sep 13
Start indoors: Feb 8 to Feb 15Sow outdoors: Mar 15 to Mar 29Plant for fall: Sep 6 to Sep 20
Start indoors: Feb 8 to Feb 15Sow outdoors: Mar 15 to Mar 29
Start indoors: Feb 8 to Feb 15Transplant outside: Mar 22 to Apr 5
Sow outdoors: Feb 15 to Mar 15Plant for fall: Aug 23 to Sep 6
Sow outdoors: Feb 15 to Mar 15Plant for fall: Sep 6 to Sep 20
Sow outdoors: Feb 15 to Mar 8
Sow outdoors: Feb 22 to Mar 22Plant for fall: Sep 6 to Sep 20
Sow outdoors: Feb 22 to Mar 15Plant for fall: Sep 20 to Oct 11
Sow outdoors: Mar 15 to Apr 5Plant for fall: Aug 30 to Sep 13
Sow outdoors: Mar 15 to Mar 29
Transplant outside: Mar 22 to Apr 12
Plant for fall: Nov 1 to Dec 6
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Petal, MS
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Dec 14 – Dec 28 | Feb 8 – Feb 22 | — | — |
| Peppers | Dec 28 – Jan 11 | Mar 22 – Apr 5 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Dec 28 – Jan 11 | Mar 22 – Apr 5 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Jan 11 – Jan 25 | Mar 15 – Mar 29 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Jan 11 – Jan 25 | Feb 15 – Mar 1 | Feb 8 – Mar 15 | Sep 20 – Oct 18 |
| Kale | Jan 11 – Jan 25 | Feb 8 – Feb 22 | Feb 8 – Feb 22 | Sep 6 – Sep 27 |
| Broccoli | Jan 11 – Jan 25 | Feb 22 – Mar 8 | — | Aug 9 – Aug 30 |
| Cabbage | Jan 11 – Jan 25 | Feb 15 – Mar 1 | — | Aug 9 – Aug 30 |
| Cauliflower | Jan 11 – Jan 25 | Feb 22 – Mar 8 | — | Aug 9 – Aug 30 |
| Okra | Jan 25 – Feb 8 | Mar 29 – Apr 12 | Mar 29 – Apr 12 | — |
| Basil | Jan 25 – Feb 8 | Mar 15 – Mar 29 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Jan 25 – Feb 15 | Aug 23 – Sep 13 |
| Spinach | — | — | Jan 25 – Feb 15 | Sep 20 – Oct 11 |
| Radishes | — | — | Feb 1 – Mar 15 | Oct 4 – Oct 25 |
| Cucumbers | Feb 8 – Feb 15 | Mar 22 – Mar 29 | Mar 15 – Mar 29 | Aug 30 – Sep 13 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Feb 8 – Feb 15 | — | Mar 15 – Mar 29 | Sep 6 – Sep 20 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Feb 8 – Feb 15 | — | Mar 15 – Mar 29 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Feb 8 – Feb 15 | Mar 22 – Apr 5 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Feb 15 – Mar 15 | Aug 23 – Sep 6 |
| Beets | — | — | Feb 15 – Mar 15 | Sep 6 – Sep 20 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Feb 15 – Mar 8 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Feb 22 – Mar 22 | Sep 6 – Sep 20 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Feb 22 – Mar 15 | Sep 20 – Oct 11 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Mar 15 – Apr 5 | Aug 30 – Sep 13 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Mar 15 – Mar 29 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Mar 22 – Apr 12 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Nov 1 – Dec 6 |
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 Hattiesburg Chain Muni Ap, MS weather station, 8 km away (elevation 151 ft (46 m)).
Frost dates near Petal
- Eastabuchie Mar 8 · Nov 15
- Hattiesburg Mar 7 · Nov 23
- Moselle Mar 8 · Nov 15
- Ovett Mar 12 · Nov 12
- New Augusta Mar 18 · Nov 12
- Ellisville Mar 12 · Nov 12
- Richton Mar 18 · Nov 12
- Purvis Mar 7 · Nov 23
- Seminary Mar 17 · Nov 12
- Sumrall Mar 7 · Nov 23
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Petal, MS?
The median last spring frost in Petal, MS is March 8. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after March 28, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Petal, MS?
The median first fall frost is November 15, with about a 10% chance of frost before November 1.
How long is the growing season in Petal, MS?
About 252 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Petal, MS?
Petal, MS is in USDA hardiness zone 8b.