Fall in zone 8bPhoto: George Chernilevsky, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Frost dates for ZIP 39456 (McLain, 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, Beaumont Expstation, MS (15 miles away).
- Average last spring frostMar 1850% chance of a 32°F freeze after this date
- Average first fall frostNov 1250% chance of a 32°F freeze by this date
- Growing season (frost-free)239 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
72°F 55°F or warmer
24-hour average · latest 65°F, as of Oct 18, 2:00 AM CDT
Estimate Not a measurement at this ZIP: distance-weighted average of Tnc Fort Bayou (39 mi).
4-inch depth
73°F 55°F or warmer
24-hour average · latest 69°F, as of Oct 18, 2:00 AM CDT
Estimate Not a measurement at this ZIP: distance-weighted average of Tnc Fort Bayou (39 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 39456 load here. You can also open the NWS forecast for this ZIP.
Pre-emergent
Soil is 73°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 May 3 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
Prune now
No frost-timed pruning windows are open this week.
Your average first frost is Nov 12: 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 25 |
| 50% (the "average" last frost) | Mar 18 |
| 10% (cautious: only 1 year in 10 freezes later) | Apr 6 |
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) | Oct 29 |
| 50% (the "average" first frost) | Nov 12 |
| 90% (late: most years have frozen by now) | Dec 1 |
Light frost, freeze and hard freeze
| Threshold | Last spring (50%) | First fall (50%) |
|---|---|---|
| 36°F (light frost possible on clear, calm nights) | Apr 1 | Nov 1 |
| 32°F (freeze) | Mar 18 | Nov 12 |
| 28°F (hard freeze) | Mar 2 | Nov 26 |
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 39456
Dates count from your average last spring frost (Mar 18) and first fall frost (Nov 12). 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 21–Feb 4 | Mar 25–Apr 8 (transplant) | Jul 16–Aug 13 (transplant) |
| Pepper (sweet and hot) | Jan 7–21 | Apr 1–15 (transplant) | Jul 23–Aug 13 (transplant) |
| Eggplant | Jan 7–21 | Apr 1–15 (transplant) | Jul 23–Aug 13 (transplant) |
| Tomatillo | Jan 21–Feb 4 | Mar 25–Apr 8 (transplant) | – |
| Lettuce | Jan 21–Feb 4 | Feb 25–Mar 18 (transplant) Feb 18–Apr 1 (sow outdoors) | Sep 17–Oct 8 (transplant) Sep 3–Oct 1 (sowing) |
| Spinach | – | Feb 4–25 (sow outdoors) | Sep 17–Oct 8 (sowing) |
| Kale | Jan 21–Feb 4 | Feb 18–Mar 4 (transplant) Feb 18–Mar 4 (sow outdoors) | Aug 20–Sep 17 (transplant) Aug 6–Sep 3 (sowing) |
| Collards | Jan 21–Feb 4 | Feb 18–Mar 18 (transplant) Feb 18–Mar 18 (sow outdoors) | Aug 20–Sep 17 (transplant) Aug 6–Sep 3 (sowing) |
| Broccoli | Jan 7–21 | Feb 18–Mar 4 (transplant) | Aug 6–Sep 3 (transplant) |
| Cabbage | Jan 7–21 | Feb 18–Mar 4 (transplant) | Aug 6–Sep 3 (transplant) |
| Cauliflower | Jan 7–21 | Mar 4–18 (transplant) | Aug 6–Sep 3 (transplant) |
| Brussels sprouts | Dec 24–Jan 7 | Feb 18–Mar 4 (transplant) | Jul 23–Aug 13 (transplant) |
| Kohlrabi | Jan 21–Feb 4 | Feb 18–Mar 4 (transplant) Feb 18–Mar 4 (sow outdoors) | Sep 3–17 (sowing) |
| Bok choy / Asian greens | – | Feb 18–Mar 4 (sow outdoors) | Sep 17–Oct 1 (sowing) |
| Arugula | – | Feb 18–Mar 18 (sow outdoors) | Sep 17–Oct 15 (sowing) |
| Mustard greens | – | Feb 18–Mar 11 (sow outdoors) | Sep 17–Oct 1 (sowing) |
| Swiss chard | Feb 4–18 | Mar 4–25 (transplant) Mar 4–Apr 1 (sow outdoors) | Sep 3–17 (sowing) |
| Beet | – | Feb 18–Mar 18 (sow outdoors) | Sep 3–17 (sowing) |
| Carrot | – | Feb 25–Mar 25 (sow outdoors) | Aug 20–Sep 3 (sowing) |
| Radish | – | Feb 11–Mar 25 (sow outdoors) | Oct 1–15 (sowing) |
| Turnip | – | Feb 18–Mar 11 (sow outdoors) | Sep 3–17 (sowing) |
| Parsnip | – | Feb 25–Mar 18 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pea (garden, snap, snow) | – | Jan 21–Feb 18 (sow outdoors) | Aug 20–Sep 3 (sowing) |
| Onion (bulbing) | Dec 24–Jan 7 | Feb 4–18 (transplant) | – |
| Green onion / scallion | – | Feb 4–Mar 4 (sow outdoors) | Sep 3–17 (sowing) |
| Leek | Dec 24–Jan 7 | Feb 18–Mar 4 (transplant) | – |
| Garlic | – | – | Oct 1–29 (sowing) |
| Shallot | – | Feb 4–18 (transplant) | Oct 1–29 (sowing) |
| Potato | – | Feb 18–Mar 4 (transplant) | Jul 23–Aug 6 (transplant) |
| Sweet potato | – | Apr 8–22 (transplant) | – |
| Sweet corn | – | Mar 25–Apr 8 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Bean, bush (snap) | – | Mar 25–Apr 8 (sow outdoors) | Aug 20–Sep 3 (sowing) |
| Bean, pole | – | Mar 25–Apr 8 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Lima bean | – | Apr 1–15 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Southern pea (cowpea, black-eyed pea) | – | Apr 8–29 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cucumber | Feb 18–25 | Mar 25–Apr 8 (transplant) Mar 25–Apr 8 (sow outdoors) | Aug 20–Sep 3 (sowing) |
| Summer squash / zucchini | Feb 18–25 | Mar 25–Apr 8 (transplant) Mar 25–Apr 8 (sow outdoors) | Aug 20–Sep 3 (sowing) |
| Winter squash | Feb 18–25 | Mar 25–Apr 8 (transplant) Mar 25–Apr 8 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Pumpkin | – | Mar 25–Apr 8 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Watermelon | Feb 18–25 | Apr 1–15 (transplant) Apr 1–15 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cantaloupe / muskmelon | Feb 18–25 | Apr 1–15 (transplant) Apr 1–15 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Okra | Feb 4–18 | Apr 1–15 (transplant) Apr 1–15 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Celery | Dec 24–Jan 7 | Mar 25–Apr 1 (transplant) | – |
| Basil | Feb 4–18 | Mar 25–Apr 8 (transplant) Mar 25–Apr 8 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Cilantro | – | Mar 4–Apr 1 (sow outdoors) | Sep 17–Oct 1 (sowing) |
| Parsley | Jan 7–21 | Mar 4–18 (transplant) Feb 25–Mar 18 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Dill | – | Mar 18–Apr 1 (sow outdoors) | Sep 17–Oct 1 (sowing) |
| Sunflower | – | Mar 18–Apr 1 (sow outdoors) | – |
| Asparagus (crowns) | – | Feb 18–Mar 4 (transplant) | – |
| Rhubarb (crowns) | – | Feb 18–Mar 4 (transplant) | – |
| Strawberry (plants) | – | Feb 18–Mar 4 (transplant) | Sep 3–Oct 1 (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 18 here (the average last frost). Not affiliated with the program.
Where these numbers come from
Station: Beaumont Expstation, MS (NOAA GHCN-Daily ID USC00220585), elevation 194 ft, 15.1 miles from the ZIP's center point. NOAA completeness flag: S (standard, 24+ years).
Nearby stations
| Station | Distance | Last frost (50%) | First frost (50%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wiggins, MS | 21 mi | Mar 14 | Nov 18 |
| Hattiesburg Chain Muni AP, MS | 31 mi | Mar 8 | Nov 15 |
| Saucier EXP Forest, MS | 31 mi | Mar 7 | Nov 22 |
The average last-frost dates of these stations span 11 days, a rough guide to local variation. See data sources & methods.
Frost questions for 39456
When is the last frost in 39456?
The average (50% chance) last spring freeze of 32°F for ZIP 39456 is March 18. For a more cautious planting date, use April 6, when only 1 year in 10 still sees a later freeze.
When is the first frost in 39456?
The average first fall freeze is November 12. In 1 year in 10 it comes by October 29.
What hardiness zone is 39456?
ZIP 39456 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 39456 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
39423 Beaumont 39461 39425 39451 Leakesville 39452 Lucedale 39577 Wiggins 39462 New Augusta 39476 Richton
Other ZIP codes in Greene County
39362 39451 39461 All Greene 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.