Natchez, MS planting zone & frost dates

Natchez is in USDA hardiness zone 8b. The last spring frost usually comes around March 16 and the first fall frost around November 9, for a growing season of about 237 days.

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

Average last spring frostMarch 1690% chance of no frost after April 6

Average first fall frostNovember 910% chance of frost by October 27

Growing season237 daysfrost-free days in an average year

Planting calendar for Natchez

Dates are counted from the average last spring frost (March 16) 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 19 – Feb 2 Transplant outdoors: Mar 23 – Mar 30
Peppers	Start seeds indoors: Jan 5 – Jan 19 Transplant outdoors: Mar 30 – Apr 6
Eggplant	Start seeds indoors: Jan 5 – Jan 19 Transplant outdoors: Mar 30 – Apr 6
Broccoli	Start seeds indoors: Jan 5 – Jan 19 Transplant outdoors: Feb 16 – Mar 2
Cabbage	Start seeds indoors: Jan 5 – Jan 19 Transplant outdoors: Feb 16 – Mar 2
Onions (sets)	Plant outdoors: Feb 16 – Mar 2
Peas	Sow outdoors: Feb 2 – Feb 16
Spinach	Sow outdoors: Feb 2 – Feb 16
Lettuce	Sow outdoors: Feb 16 – Mar 2
Carrots	Sow outdoors: Feb 16 – Mar 2
Potatoes	Plant outdoors: Feb 16 – Mar 2
Beans	Sow outdoors: Mar 23 – Mar 30
Sweet corn	Sow outdoors: Mar 23 – Mar 30
Cucumbers	Sow outdoors: Mar 23 – Mar 30
Squash & zucchini	Sow outdoors: Mar 23 – Mar 30
Basil	Start seeds indoors: Feb 2 – Feb 16 Transplant outdoors: Mar 23 – Mar 30

Fall garden: cool-season crops like lettuce, spinach and kale can be sown again around Sep 14 (8 weeks before the average first fall frost on Nov 9).

Useful for zone 8b gardens

Seed starting kit with dome — to start seeds indoors before the last frost
LED grow light for seedlings — stops leggy seedlings
Frost cloth / plant covers — for late spring and early fall frosts
Soil thermometer — warm-season crops need soil above 60°F

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Frost risk in detail

	90% chance	50% chance	10% chance
Last 32°F frost in spring is after	Feb 25	Mar 16	Apr 6
First 32°F frost in fall is before	Nov 27	Nov 9	Oct 27

How to read it: in spring there is a 10% chance of a frost after April 6, so that is a safe date for tender plants. In fall there is a 10% chance of frost before October 27. A hard freeze (28°F) usually ends around March 1.

Hardiness zone by ZIP code in Natchez

39120 zone 8b
39121 zone 8b
39122 zone 8b

Nearby cities

Vicksburg zone 8b, last frost Feb 26
Brookhaven zone 8b, last frost Mar 17
McComb zone 8b, last frost Mar 11
Byram zone 8b, last frost Mar 6
Clinton zone 8b, last frost Mar 6
Jackson zone 8b, last frost Mar 6
Pearl zone 8b, last frost Mar 14
Ridgeland zone 8b, last frost Mar 14

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

Questions

What growing zone is Natchez, MS?

Natchez 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 Natchez?

The average last spring frost (32°F) in Natchez is March 16. There is still a 10% chance of frost until April 6.

When can I plant tomatoes in Natchez?

Transplant tomatoes outdoors 1–2 weeks after the average last frost: around Mar 23 – Mar 30. Start seeds indoors 6–8 weeks before the last frost.

Frost dates: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station Natchez, MS (USC00226177), 6.7 km (4.2 mi) from the city center, elevation 59 m, based on 30 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.