Fall in zone 8bPhoto: George Chernilevsky, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Frost dates for ZIP 38962 (Tallahatchie County, MS)
Average last spring and first fall frost dates with 10%, 50% and 90% odds, from NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals for the nearest weather station, Minter City, MS (8 miles away).
- Average last spring frostMar 750% chance of a 32°F freeze after this date
- Average first fall frostNov 1750% chance of a 32°F freeze by this date
- Growing season (frost-free)254 daysmedian, 32°F threshold
- USDA hardiness zone8b15 to 20°F avg. coldest night
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This week in your yard
As of Oct 18, 2026, from your frost dates, zone and soil temperature. Lawn timing · Vegetables · Pruning · Plants
Soil temperature now
2-inch depth
69°F 55°F or warmer
24-hour average · latest 67°F, as of Oct 18, 2:00 AM CDT
Estimate Not a measurement at this ZIP: distance-weighted average of Vance (17 mi), Sandy Ridge (27 mi), Goodwin Ck Timber (30 mi).
4-inch depth
71°F 55°F or warmer
24-hour average · latest 70°F, as of Oct 18, 2:00 AM CDT
Estimate Not a measurement at this ZIP: distance-weighted average of Vance (17 mi), Sandy Ridge (27 mi), Goodwin Ck Timber (30 mi).
Fall: Texas A&M AgriLife times fall pre-emergent (for winter weeds such as annual bluegrass) to soil cooling to about 70°F for several days. The 50–55°F band is the spring trigger. Always read and follow the product label.
7-day forecast and frost risk
The latest National Weather Service 7-day forecast and any Frost Advisory or Freeze Warning for 38962 load here. You can also open the NWS forecast for this ZIP.
Pre-emergent
Soil is 71°F at 4 inches (estimated soil temperature, not a station reading). Fall pre-emergent (annual bluegrass, winter weeds): window open as soil cools through the 70s and 60s.
Fertilizer window
Lawn region: Southeast (warm, humid). Timing only; always follow the product label.
- Centipedegrass (warm-season): Spring: Not before mid-May (NC State); after full green-up (about Apr 22 here, using green-up about 3–4 weeks after your average last frost); Summer: Optional mid-summer feeding, especially on sandy coastal soils. Avoid: Early-spring feeding, frequent feeding and liming unless a soil test calls for it (centipede decline).
Plant now
- Arugula: fall sowing Sep 22–Oct 20
- Radish: fall sowing Oct 6–20
- Garlic: fall sowing Oct 6–Nov 3
- Shallot: fall sowing Oct 6–Nov 3
Prune now
No frost-timed pruning windows are open this week.
Your average first frost is Nov 17: skip heavy pruning in the 6–8 weeks before it, because new growth may not harden off in time.
Spring-flowering shrubs are pruned right after their flowers fade, not by date. See the pruning guide.
Last spring frost odds
| Chance of a 32°F freeze after this date | Date |
|---|---|
| 90% (early: most years still freeze after this) | Feb 15 |
| 50% (the "average" last frost) | Mar 7 |
| 10% (cautious: only 1 year in 10 freezes later) | Mar 27 |
Most gardeners plant frost-tender crops (tomatoes, peppers, basil) after the 50% date, and closer to the 10% date for less risk.
First fall frost odds
| Chance the first 32°F freeze has happened by this date | Date |
|---|---|
| 10% (early: 1 year in 10 freezes this soon) | Nov 1 |
| 50% (the "average" first frost) | Nov 17 |
| 90% (late: most years have frozen by now) | Dec 7 |
Light frost, freeze and hard freeze
| Threshold | Last spring (50%) | First fall (50%) |
|---|---|---|
| 36°F (light frost possible on clear, calm nights) | Mar 21 | Nov 5 |
| 32°F (freeze) | Mar 7 | Nov 17 |
| 28°F (hard freeze) | Feb 23 | Dec 4 |
n/a means NOAA did not publish a date at that threshold for this station (usually because it rarely gets that cold).
Vegetable planting calendar for 38962
Dates count from your average last spring frost (Mar 7) and first fall frost (Nov 17). Half of years have a frost after the spring date, so give tender crops (tomatoes, peppers, squash) some slack.
| Crop | Start indoors | Spring planting | Fall planting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tomato | Jan 10–24 | Mar 14–28 (transplant) | Jul 21–Aug 18 (transplant) |
| Pepper (sweet and hot) | Dec 27–Jan 10 | Mar 21–Apr 4 (transplant) | Jul 28–Aug 18 (transplant) |
| Eggplant | Dec 27–Jan 10 | Mar 21–Apr 4 (transplant) | Jul 28–Aug 18 (transplant) |
| Tomatillo | Jan 10–24 | Mar 14–28 (transplant) | – |
| Lettuce | Jan 10–24 | Feb 14–Mar 7 (transplant) Feb 7–Mar 21 (sow outdoors) | Sep 22–Oct 13 (transplant) Sep 8–Oct 6 (sowing) |
| Spinach | – | Jan 24–Feb 14 (sow outdoors) | Sep 22–Oct 13 (sowing) |
| Kale | Jan 10–24 | Feb 7–21 (transplant) Feb 7–21 (sow outdoors) | Aug 25–Sep 22 (transplant) Aug 11–Sep 8 (sowing) |
| Collards | Jan 10–24 | Feb 7–Mar 7 (transplant) Feb 7–Mar 7 (sow outdoors) | Aug 25–Sep 22 (transplant) Aug 11–Sep 8 (sowing) |
| Broccoli | Dec 27–Jan 10 | Feb 7–21 (transplant) | Aug 11–Sep 8 (transplant) |
| Cabbage | Dec 27–Jan 10 | Feb 7–21 (transplant) | Aug 11–Sep 8 (transplant) |
| Cauliflower | Dec 27–Jan 10 | Feb 21–Mar 7 (transplant) | Aug 11–Sep 8 (transplant) |
| Brussels sprouts | Dec 13–27 | Feb 7–21 (transplant) | Jul 28–Aug 18 (transplant) |
| Kohlrabi | Jan 10–24 | Feb 7–21 (transplant) Feb 7–21 (sow outdoors) | Sep 8–22 (sowing) |
| Bok choy / Asian greens | – | Feb 7–21 (sow outdoors) | Sep 22–Oct 6 (sowing) |
| Arugula | – | Feb 7–Mar 7 (sow outdoors) | Sep 22–Oct 20 (sowing) |
| Mustard greens | – | Feb 7–28 (sow outdoors) | Sep 22–Oct 6 (sowing) |
| Swiss chard | Jan 24–Feb 7 | Feb 21–Mar 14 (transplant) Feb 21–Mar 21 (sow outdoors) | Sep 8–22 (sowing) |
| Beet | – | Feb 7–Mar 7 (sow outdoors) | Sep 8–22 (sowing) |
| Carrot | – | Feb 14–Mar 14 (sow outdoors) | Aug 25–Sep 8 (sowing) |
| Radish | – | Jan 31–Mar 14 (sow outdoors) | Oct 6–20 (sowing) |
| Turnip | – | Feb 7–28 (sow outdoors) | Sep 8–22 (sowing) |
| Parsnip | – | Feb 14–Mar 7 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pea (garden, snap, snow) | – | Jan 10–Feb 7 (sow outdoors) | Aug 25–Sep 8 (sowing) |
| Onion (bulbing) | Dec 13–27 | Jan 24–Feb 7 (transplant) | – |
| Green onion / scallion | – | Jan 24–Feb 21 (sow outdoors) | Sep 8–22 (sowing) |
| Leek | Dec 13–27 | Feb 7–21 (transplant) | – |
| Garlic | – | – | Oct 6–Nov 3 (sowing) |
| Shallot | – | Jan 24–Feb 7 (transplant) | Oct 6–Nov 3 (sowing) |
| Potato | – | Feb 7–21 (transplant) | Jul 28–Aug 11 (transplant) |
| Sweet potato | – | Mar 28–Apr 11 (transplant) | – |
| Sweet corn | – | Mar 14–28 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Bean, bush (snap) | – | Mar 14–28 (sow outdoors) | Aug 25–Sep 8 (sowing) |
| Bean, pole | – | Mar 14–28 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Lima bean | – | Mar 21–Apr 4 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Southern pea (cowpea, black-eyed pea) | – | Mar 28–Apr 18 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cucumber | Feb 7–14 | Mar 14–28 (transplant) Mar 14–28 (sow outdoors) | Aug 25–Sep 8 (sowing) |
| Summer squash / zucchini | Feb 7–14 | Mar 14–28 (transplant) Mar 14–28 (sow outdoors) | Aug 25–Sep 8 (sowing) |
| Winter squash | Feb 7–14 | Mar 14–28 (transplant) Mar 14–28 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pumpkin | – | Mar 14–28 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Watermelon | Feb 7–14 | Mar 21–Apr 4 (transplant) Mar 21–Apr 4 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cantaloupe / muskmelon | Feb 7–14 | Mar 21–Apr 4 (transplant) Mar 21–Apr 4 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Okra | Jan 24–Feb 7 | Mar 21–Apr 4 (transplant) Mar 21–Apr 4 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Celery | Dec 13–27 | Mar 14–21 (transplant) | – |
| Basil | Jan 24–Feb 7 | Mar 14–28 (transplant) Mar 14–28 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cilantro | – | Feb 21–Mar 21 (sow outdoors) | Sep 22–Oct 6 (sowing) |
| Parsley | Dec 27–Jan 10 | Feb 21–Mar 7 (transplant) Feb 14–Mar 7 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Dill | – | Mar 7–21 (sow outdoors) | Sep 22–Oct 6 (sowing) |
| Sunflower | – | Mar 7–21 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Asparagus (crowns) | – | Feb 7–21 (transplant) | – |
| Rhubarb (crowns) | – | Feb 7–21 (transplant) | – |
| Strawberry (plants) | – | Feb 7–21 (transplant) | Sep 8–Oct 6 (transplant) |
Typical ranges from university extension planting calendars, adjusted to your frost dates. Probabilities, not guarantees. Fall windows that would overlap spring planting are left out, as are fall crops of frost-tender plants where the frost-free season is under 210 days.
Plants that do well here
Mississippi has a university or garden plant program: Mississippi Medallion. Plant frost-tender annuals after March 7 here (the average last frost). Not affiliated with the program.
Where these numbers come from
Station: Minter City, MS (NOAA GHCN-Daily ID USC00225897), elevation 145 ft, 8.0 miles from the ZIP's center point. NOAA completeness flag: R (representative, 10+ years).
Nearby stations
| Station | Distance | Last frost (50%) | First frost (50%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grenada, MS | 23 mi | Mar 28 | Nov 4 |
| Lambert 1W, MS | 24 mi | Mar 17 | Nov 7 |
| Greenwood Leflore AP, MS | 27 mi | Mar 17 | Nov 5 |
The average last-frost dates of these stations span 21 days, a rough guide to local variation. See data sources & methods.
Frost questions for 38962
When is the last frost in 38962?
The average (50% chance) last spring freeze of 32°F for ZIP 38962 is March 7. For a more cautious planting date, use March 27, when only 1 year in 10 still sees a later freeze.
When is the first frost in 38962?
The average first fall freeze is November 17. In 1 year in 10 it comes by November 1.
What hardiness zone is 38962?
ZIP 38962 is in USDA zone 8b (15 to 20°F average coldest winter night), per the 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map ZIP listing.
What is the soil temperature in 38962 right now?
This page shows the latest 2-inch and 4-inch soil temperature from the nearest public soil station (USDA SCAN, NOAA USCRN or TexMesonet), or a labeled estimate when no station is close, against the 50–55°F spring pre-emergent band.
Nearby ZIP codes
38928 Glendora 38921 Charleston 38966 Webb 38920 38950 38944 38940 Holcomb 38957 Sumner
Other ZIP codes in Tallahatchie County
38920 38921 38927 38928 38950 38953 38957 38963 38966 All Tallahatchie County frost dates · Mississippi frost dates
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Weekly yard timing, plus frost and soil-temperature alerts for your ZIP code.
- Freeze alerts
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Free. One weekly email plus alerts when your ZIP has a frost or a soil-temperature change worth acting on. After you submit, Kit (our email provider) sends a confirmation email: check your email and click the link to confirm. You aren't subscribed until you do. We collect only your email address and ZIP, sent to Kit to deliver The Dial. Unsubscribe anytime.