Jackson, MS planting zone & frost dates

Jackson is in USDA hardiness zone 8b. The last spring frost usually comes around March 6 and the first fall frost around November 19, for a growing season of about 258 days.

USDA hardiness zone8bavg. extreme winter low 15°F to 20°F

Average last spring frostMarch 690% chance of no frost after March 24

Average first fall frostNovember 1910% chance of frost by November 4

Growing season258 daysfrost-free days in an average year

Planting calendar for Jackson

Dates are counted from the average last spring frost (March 6) using the typical timing recommended by U.S. extension services. Warm-season crops go out only after the danger of frost has passed and the soil has warmed.

Crop	When
Tomatoes	Start seeds indoors: Jan 9 – Jan 23 Transplant outdoors: Mar 13 – Mar 20
Peppers	Start seeds indoors: Dec 26 – Jan 9 Transplant outdoors: Mar 20 – Mar 27
Eggplant	Start seeds indoors: Dec 26 – Jan 9 Transplant outdoors: Mar 20 – Mar 27
Broccoli	Start seeds indoors: Dec 26 – Jan 9 Transplant outdoors: Feb 6 – Feb 20
Cabbage	Start seeds indoors: Dec 26 – Jan 9 Transplant outdoors: Feb 6 – Feb 20
Onions (sets)	Plant outdoors: Feb 6 – Feb 20
Peas	Sow outdoors: Jan 23 – Feb 6
Spinach	Sow outdoors: Jan 23 – Feb 6
Lettuce	Sow outdoors: Feb 6 – Feb 20
Carrots	Sow outdoors: Feb 6 – Feb 20
Potatoes	Plant outdoors: Feb 6 – Feb 20
Beans	Sow outdoors: Mar 13 – Mar 20
Sweet corn	Sow outdoors: Mar 13 – Mar 20
Cucumbers	Sow outdoors: Mar 13 – Mar 20
Squash & zucchini	Sow outdoors: Mar 13 – Mar 20
Basil	Start seeds indoors: Jan 23 – Feb 6 Transplant outdoors: Mar 13 – Mar 20

Fall garden: cool-season crops like lettuce, spinach and kale can be sown again around Sep 24 (8 weeks before the average first fall frost on Nov 19).

Frost risk in detail

	90% chance	50% chance	10% chance
Last 32°F frost in spring is after	Feb 15	Mar 6	Mar 24
First 32°F frost in fall is before	Dec 10	Nov 19	Nov 4

How to read it: in spring there is a 10% chance of a frost after March 24, so that is a safe date for tender plants. In fall there is a 10% chance of frost before November 4. A hard freeze (28°F) usually ends around February 19.

Hardiness zone by ZIP code in Jackson

39201 zone 8b
39202 zone 8b
39203 zone 8b
39204 zone 8b
39205 zone 8b
39206 zone 8b
39207 zone 8b
39209 zone 8b
39211 zone 8b
39212 zone 8b
39213 zone 8b
39215 zone 8b
39216 zone 8b
39217 zone 8b
39225 zone 8b
39236 zone 8b
39250 zone 8b
39269 zone 8b
39271 zone 8b
39282 zone 8b
39283 zone 8b
39284 zone 8b
39286 zone 8b
39289 zone 8b
39296 zone 8b
39298 zone 8b

Nearby cities

Pearl zone 8b, last frost Mar 14
Byram zone 8b, last frost Mar 6
Ridgeland zone 8b, last frost Mar 14
Clinton zone 8b, last frost Mar 6
Madison zone 8b, last frost Mar 14
Brandon zone 8b, last frost Mar 14
Canton zone 8b, last frost Mar 22
Yazoo City zone 8b, last frost Mar 4

All cities in Mississippi → · Other zone 8b cities →

Questions

What growing zone is Jackson, MS?

Jackson is in USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 8b (average extreme winter low 15°F to 20°F), according to the USDA 2023 map.

When is the last frost in Jackson?

The average last spring frost (32°F) in Jackson is March 6. There is still a 10% chance of frost until March 24.

When can I plant tomatoes in Jackson?

Transplant tomatoes outdoors 1–2 weeks after the average last frost: around Mar 13 – Mar 20. Start seeds indoors 6–8 weeks before the last frost.

Frost dates: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station Jackson Hawkins Fld, MS (USW00013927), 5.4 km (3.4 mi) from the city center, elevation 104 m, based on 17 years of records. Hardiness zone: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map 2023 for the ZIP code nearest to the city center. Microclimates (valleys, hills, cities, coasts) can be warmer or colder: check the local forecast before planting. How we calculate the data.