Laurel, MS planting zone & frost dates

Laurel is in USDA hardiness zone 8b. The last spring frost usually comes around March 12 and the first fall frost around November 12, for a growing season of about 244 days.

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

Average last spring frostMarch 1290% chance of no frost after April 1

Average first fall frostNovember 1210% chance of frost by October 30

Growing season244 daysfrost-free days in an average year

Planting calendar for Laurel

Dates are counted from the average last spring frost (March 12) 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 15 – Jan 29 Transplant outdoors: Mar 19 – Mar 26
Peppers	Start seeds indoors: Jan 1 – Jan 15 Transplant outdoors: Mar 26 – Apr 2
Eggplant	Start seeds indoors: Jan 1 – Jan 15 Transplant outdoors: Mar 26 – Apr 2
Broccoli	Start seeds indoors: Jan 1 – Jan 15 Transplant outdoors: Feb 12 – Feb 26
Cabbage	Start seeds indoors: Jan 1 – Jan 15 Transplant outdoors: Feb 12 – Feb 26
Onions (sets)	Plant outdoors: Feb 12 – Feb 26
Peas	Sow outdoors: Jan 29 – Feb 12
Spinach	Sow outdoors: Jan 29 – Feb 12
Lettuce	Sow outdoors: Feb 12 – Feb 26
Carrots	Sow outdoors: Feb 12 – Feb 26
Potatoes	Plant outdoors: Feb 12 – Feb 26
Beans	Sow outdoors: Mar 19 – Mar 26
Sweet corn	Sow outdoors: Mar 19 – Mar 26
Cucumbers	Sow outdoors: Mar 19 – Mar 26
Squash & zucchini	Sow outdoors: Mar 19 – Mar 26
Basil	Start seeds indoors: Jan 29 – Feb 12 Transplant outdoors: Mar 19 – Mar 26

Fall garden: cool-season crops like lettuce, spinach and kale can be sown again around Sep 17 (8 weeks before the average first fall frost on Nov 12).

Frost risk in detail

	90% chance	50% chance	10% chance
Last 32°F frost in spring is after	Feb 22	Mar 12	Apr 1
First 32°F frost in fall is before	Dec 1	Nov 12	Oct 30

How to read it: in spring there is a 10% chance of a frost after April 1, so that is a safe date for tender plants. In fall there is a 10% chance of frost before October 30. A hard freeze (28°F) usually ends around February 28.

Hardiness zone by ZIP code in Laurel

39440 zone 8b
39441 zone 8b
39442 zone 8b
39443 zone 8b

Nearby cities

Petal zone 8b, last frost Mar 8
Hattiesburg zone 8b, last frost Mar 8
Meridian zone 8b, last frost Mar 16
Brandon zone 8b, last frost Mar 14
Pearl zone 8b, last frost Mar 14
Carriere zone 9a, last frost Mar 9
Jackson zone 8b, last frost Mar 6
Byram zone 8b, last frost Mar 6

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

Questions

What growing zone is Laurel, MS?

Laurel 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 Laurel?

The average last spring frost (32°F) in Laurel is March 12. There is still a 10% chance of frost until April 1.

When can I plant tomatoes in Laurel?

Transplant tomatoes outdoors 1–2 weeks after the average last frost: around Mar 19 – Mar 26. Start seeds indoors 6–8 weeks before the last frost.

Frost dates: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station Laurel, MS (USC00224939), 2.2 km (1.4 mi) from the city center, elevation 69 m, based on 27 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.