Picayune, MS frost dates
Last spring frostMar 9median date
First fall frostNov 18median date
Growing season254 daysfrost-free
Hardiness zone9aZone 9a
How Picayune compares
- In 8 years out of 10, the last spring frost in Picayune falls between February 17 and March 31, a 42-day window. The first fall frost falls between November 3 and December 11.
- The median last frost is 8 days earlier than the Mississippi median of Mar 17.
- Its 254-day growing season is longer than 82% of the 435 Mississippi places with a regular frost season (state median 239 days).
- The last frost is 6 days later than the zone 9a median of Mar 3. Hardiness zones measure winter cold, not season length, so use these dates rather than a zone 9a chart.
- The weather station records an average of 31 nights a year at or below 32°F.
- Compared with Gulfport, MS, 61 km away, the last frost here is 14 days later than there and the growing season is 29 days shorter.
Frost probability
| Chance of frost after | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early) | February 17 |
| 50% (median) | March 9 |
| 10% (safe for tender plants) | March 31 |
| Chance of frost before | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early) | November 3 |
| 50% (median) | November 18 |
| 90% (late) | December 11 |
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 Picayune, MS
Picayune, MS frost dates — last frost Mar 9, first frost Nov 18, zone 9a. whenisthelastfrost.com
Crop
JFMAMJJASOND
Start indoors: Dec 15 to Dec 29Transplant outside: Feb 9 to Feb 23
Start indoors: Dec 29 to Jan 12Start indoors: Dec 29 to Jan 12Transplant outside: Mar 23 to Apr 6
Start indoors: Dec 29 to Jan 12Start indoors: Dec 29 to Jan 12Transplant outside: Mar 23 to Apr 6
Start indoors: Jan 12 to Jan 26Transplant outside: Mar 16 to Mar 30
Start indoors: Jan 12 to Jan 26Transplant outside: Feb 16 to Mar 2Sow outdoors: Feb 9 to Mar 16Plant for fall: Sep 23 to Oct 21
Start indoors: Jan 12 to Jan 26Transplant outside: Feb 9 to Feb 23Sow outdoors: Feb 9 to Feb 23Plant for fall: Sep 9 to Sep 30
Start indoors: Jan 12 to Jan 26Transplant outside: Feb 23 to Mar 9Plant for fall: Aug 12 to Sep 2
Start indoors: Jan 12 to Jan 26Transplant outside: Feb 16 to Mar 2Plant for fall: Aug 12 to Sep 2
Start indoors: Jan 12 to Jan 26Transplant outside: Feb 23 to Mar 9Plant for fall: Aug 12 to Sep 2
Start indoors: Jan 26 to Feb 9Transplant outside: Mar 30 to Apr 13Sow outdoors: Mar 30 to Apr 13
Start indoors: Jan 26 to Feb 9Transplant outside: Mar 16 to Mar 30
Sow outdoors: Jan 26 to Feb 16Plant for fall: Aug 26 to Sep 16
Sow outdoors: Jan 26 to Feb 16Plant for fall: Sep 23 to Oct 14
Sow outdoors: Feb 2 to Mar 16Plant for fall: Oct 7 to Oct 28
Start indoors: Feb 9 to Feb 16Transplant outside: Mar 23 to Mar 30Sow outdoors: Mar 16 to Mar 30Plant for fall: Sep 2 to Sep 16
Start indoors: Feb 9 to Feb 16Sow outdoors: Mar 16 to Mar 30Plant for fall: Sep 9 to Sep 23
Start indoors: Feb 9 to Feb 16Sow outdoors: Mar 16 to Mar 30
Start indoors: Feb 9 to Feb 16Transplant outside: Mar 23 to Apr 6
Sow outdoors: Feb 16 to Mar 16Plant for fall: Aug 26 to Sep 9
Sow outdoors: Feb 16 to Mar 16Plant for fall: Sep 9 to Sep 23
Sow outdoors: Feb 16 to Mar 9
Sow outdoors: Feb 23 to Mar 23Plant for fall: Sep 9 to Sep 23
Sow outdoors: Feb 23 to Mar 16Plant for fall: Sep 23 to Oct 14
Sow outdoors: Mar 16 to Apr 6Plant for fall: Sep 2 to Sep 16
Sow outdoors: Mar 16 to Mar 30
Transplant outside: Mar 23 to Apr 13
Plant for fall: Nov 4 to Dec 9
Start indoorsTransplant outsideSow outdoorsPlant for fallMedian frost dates
When to plant vegetables in Picayune, MS
| Crop | Start indoors | Transplant | Sow outdoors | Fall crop |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onions | Dec 15 – Dec 29 | Feb 9 – Feb 23 | — | — |
| Peppers | Dec 29 – Jan 12 | Mar 23 – Apr 6 | — | — |
| Eggplant | Dec 29 – Jan 12 | Mar 23 – Apr 6 | — | — |
| Tomatoes | Jan 12 – Jan 26 | Mar 16 – Mar 30 | — | — |
| Lettuce | Jan 12 – Jan 26 | Feb 16 – Mar 2 | Feb 9 – Mar 16 | Sep 23 – Oct 21 |
| Kale | Jan 12 – Jan 26 | Feb 9 – Feb 23 | Feb 9 – Feb 23 | Sep 9 – Sep 30 |
| Broccoli | Jan 12 – Jan 26 | Feb 23 – Mar 9 | — | Aug 12 – Sep 2 |
| Cabbage | Jan 12 – Jan 26 | Feb 16 – Mar 2 | — | Aug 12 – Sep 2 |
| Cauliflower | Jan 12 – Jan 26 | Feb 23 – Mar 9 | — | Aug 12 – Sep 2 |
| Okra | Jan 26 – Feb 9 | Mar 30 – Apr 13 | Mar 30 – Apr 13 | — |
| Basil | Jan 26 – Feb 9 | Mar 16 – Mar 30 | — | — |
| Peas | — | — | Jan 26 – Feb 16 | Aug 26 – Sep 16 |
| Spinach | — | — | Jan 26 – Feb 16 | Sep 23 – Oct 14 |
| Radishes | — | — | Feb 2 – Mar 16 | Oct 7 – Oct 28 |
| Cucumbers | Feb 9 – Feb 16 | Mar 23 – Mar 30 | Mar 16 – Mar 30 | Sep 2 – Sep 16 |
| Zucchini & Summer Squash | Feb 9 – Feb 16 | — | Mar 16 – Mar 30 | Sep 9 – Sep 23 |
| Winter Squash & Pumpkins | Feb 9 – Feb 16 | — | Mar 16 – Mar 30 | — |
| Melons & Watermelon | Feb 9 – Feb 16 | Mar 23 – Apr 6 | — | — |
| Carrots | — | — | Feb 16 – Mar 16 | Aug 26 – Sep 9 |
| Beets | — | — | Feb 16 – Mar 16 | Sep 9 – Sep 23 |
| Potatoes | — | — | Feb 16 – Mar 9 | — |
| Swiss Chard | — | — | Feb 23 – Mar 23 | Sep 9 – Sep 23 |
| Cilantro | — | — | Feb 23 – Mar 16 | Sep 23 – Oct 14 |
| Green Beans | — | — | Mar 16 – Apr 6 | Sep 2 – Sep 16 |
| Sweet Corn | — | — | Mar 16 – Mar 30 | — |
| Sweet Potatoes | — | Mar 23 – Apr 13 | — | — |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Nov 4 – Dec 9 |
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 Picayune, MS weather station, about 1 km away (elevation 66 ft (20 m)).
Frost dates near Picayune
- Nicholson Mar 9 · Nov 18
- Carriere Mar 9 · Nov 18
- Mc Neill Mar 9 · Nov 18
- Stennis Space Center Mar 6 · Nov 19
- Kiln Mar 6 · Nov 19
- Bay Saint Louis Feb 21 · Dec 3
- Pearlington Mar 6 · Nov 19
- Diamondhead Feb 21 · Dec 3
- Poplarville Mar 10 · Nov 21
- Lakeshore Feb 21 · Dec 3
Frequently asked questions
When is the last frost in Picayune, MS?
The median last spring frost in Picayune, MS is March 9. There is still about a 10% chance of frost after March 31, so wait until then to plant frost-tender crops like tomatoes and peppers.
When is the first frost in Picayune, MS?
The median first fall frost is November 18, with about a 10% chance of frost before November 3.
How long is the growing season in Picayune, MS?
About 254 days between the median last spring frost and first fall frost.
What planting zone is Picayune, MS?
Picayune, MS is in USDA hardiness zone 9a.