Frost Dates & Planting Calendar for Vicksburg, MS
Plan your garden around Vicksburg, MS's typical frost-free growing season, using NOAA climate normals and a 42-crop planting calendar built for this location.
Last Spring Frost
February 26
Safe Mar 16
Typical Feb 26
Risky Jan 31
First Fall Frost
November 22
Safe Nov 3
Typical Nov 22
Risky Dec 15
Growing Season
269 days
Typical last frost to typical first frost.
USDA Hardiness Zone
Zone 8b
Mild winters and a long growing season, room for both cool- and warm-season crops.
Data: NOAA station VICKSBURG CITY, MS US, 3.6 km away.
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days until the typical last spring frost
Monthly Temperatures
Avg. high
Avg. temp
Avg. low
Planting Calendar
| Crop | Start indoors | Direct sow | Transplant | Fall planting | Maturity | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tomato | Jan 1 – Jan 15 | — | Mar 5 – Mar 12 | — | 60–85 days | Start indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost; transplant out 1-2 weeks after last frost once soil has warmed. |
| Pepper | Dec 18 – Jan 1 | — | Mar 5 – Mar 19 | — | 60–90 days | Slow to germinate; start indoors 8-10 weeks before last frost. Transplant only once nights stay above 55F, 1-3 weeks after last frost. |
| Eggplant | Dec 18 – Jan 1 | — | Mar 12 – Mar 19 | — | 65–85 days | Warm-season crop, similar timing to pepper; needs consistently warm soil (65F+) to transplant. |
| Cucumber | Jan 29 – Feb 5 | Mar 5 – Mar 12 | Mar 5 – Mar 12 | — | 50–65 days | Can be started indoors 3-4 weeks before transplanting, or direct-sown 1-2 weeks after last frost once soil is warm. |
| Zucchini | Feb 5 – Feb 12 | Mar 5 – Mar 19 | Mar 5 – Mar 12 | — | 45–55 days | Fast-growing squash; direct sow 1-3 weeks after last frost, or start indoors 2-3 weeks early for a head start. |
| Winter Squash | Jan 29 – Feb 5 | Mar 5 – Mar 19 | Mar 5 – Mar 12 | — | 80–110 days | Long season; direct sow after soil warms, or start indoors 3-4 weeks before last frost in short-season climates. |
| Pumpkin | — | Mar 5 – Mar 19 | — | — | 90–120 days | Direct sow 1-3 weeks after last frost; back-time from your first fall frost so the 90-120 day maturity window lands before it. |
| Watermelon | Jan 29 – Feb 5 | — | Mar 12 – Mar 19 | — | 70–90 days | Needs warm soil (65F+); start indoors 3-4 weeks before last frost, transplant 2-3 weeks after last frost. |
| Cantaloupe | Jan 29 – Feb 5 | — | Mar 12 – Mar 19 | — | 70–90 days | Same warm-soil requirements as watermelon; avoid disturbing roots when transplanting. |
| Corn | — | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | — | — | 60–100 days | Direct sow at last frost to 2 weeks after, once soil reaches 60F; does not transplant well. Succession sow every 2 weeks. |
| Green Bean | — | Feb 26 – Mar 12 | — | — | 50–65 days | Direct sow at last frost to 2 weeks after, once soil has warmed; frost-tender, do not rush. |
| Pea | — | Jan 15 – Jan 29 | — | — | 55–70 days | Cold-hardy; direct sow 4-6 weeks before last frost as soon as soil can be worked. |
| Lettuce | — | Jan 29 – Feb 12 | — | Sep 27 – Oct 11 | 45–60 days | Cold-hardy; direct sow 2-4 weeks before last frost. Also transplantable from indoor starts. |
| Spinach | — | Jan 15 – Jan 29 | — | Sep 27 – Oct 11 | 40–50 days | Very cold-hardy; direct sow 4-6 weeks before last frost as soon as soil can be worked. |
| Kale | — | Jan 29 – Feb 12 | — | Sep 13 – Sep 27 | 50–65 days | Cold-hardy; direct sow 2-4 weeks before last frost or start indoors for earlier transplants. |
| Arugula | — | Jan 29 – Feb 12 | — | Oct 11 – Oct 18 | 30–40 days | Fast-growing, cold-tolerant green; direct sow 2-4 weeks before last frost, succession sow every 2-3 weeks. |
| Swiss Chard | — | Feb 5 – Feb 19 | — | — | 50–60 days | Fairly cold-hardy; direct sow 1-3 weeks before last frost. Tolerates light frost in fall too. |
| Broccoli | Jan 8 – Jan 22 | — | Feb 5 – Feb 12 | Sep 20 – Sep 27 | 55–80 days | Start indoors 5-7 weeks before last frost; transplant out 2-3 weeks before last frost (hardens off to light frost). |
| Cauliflower | Jan 8 – Jan 22 | — | Feb 12 – Feb 19 | Sep 13 – Sep 20 | 55–85 days | Fussier than broccoli about temperature swings; start indoors 5-7 weeks before last frost, transplant 1-2 weeks before last frost. |
| Cabbage | Jan 8 – Jan 22 | — | Jan 29 – Feb 12 | Sep 13 – Sep 27 | 60–100 days | Cold-hardy; start indoors 5-7 weeks before last frost, transplant 2-4 weeks before last frost. |
| Brussels Sprouts | Jan 8 – Jan 22 | — | Feb 5 – Feb 19 | — | 90–110 days | Long-season crop best timed to mature after a light fall frost for sweetest flavor; start indoors 5-7 weeks before last frost. |
| Carrot | — | Jan 29 – Feb 12 | — | Aug 30 – Sep 13 | 60–80 days | Direct sow only (does not transplant); sow 2-4 weeks before last frost, as soon as soil can be worked. |
| Beet | — | Jan 29 – Feb 12 | — | Sep 13 – Sep 27 | 50–65 days | Direct sow 2-4 weeks before last frost; tolerates light frost. |
| Radish | — | Jan 22 – Feb 5 | — | Oct 11 – Oct 25 | 22–30 days | Very fast and cold-hardy; direct sow 3-5 weeks before last frost, as soon as soil can be worked. |
| Turnip | — | Jan 29 – Feb 12 | — | Sep 13 – Sep 27 | 40–60 days | Cold-hardy; direct sow 2-4 weeks before last frost. |
| Onion | Dec 18 – Jan 1 | — | Jan 29 – Feb 12 | — | 90–120 days | Start seeds indoors 8-10 weeks before last frost (or use sets/transplants); set out 2-4 weeks before last frost, very cold-tolerant as seedlings. |
| Garlic | — | — | — | Oct 25 – Nov 8 | 240–270 days | Fall-planted crop only; not planted in spring in most climates. |
| Potato | — | Jan 29 – Feb 12 | — | — | 70–120 days | Plant seed potatoes 2-4 weeks before last frost, as soon as soil can be worked and is above 45F; light frost on emerging foliage is usually tolerated. |
| Sweet Potato | — | — | Mar 12 – Mar 26 | — | 90–120 days | Set out slips 2-4 weeks after last frost once soil is thoroughly warm (65F+); very frost/cold sensitive. |
| Asparagus | — | — | Jan 29 – Feb 12 | — | 730–1095 days | Perennial; plant crowns 2-4 weeks before last frost as soon as soil can be worked. Takes 2-3 years to full production. |
| Crop | Start indoors | Direct sow | Transplant | Fall planting | Maturity | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Basil | Jan 15 – Jan 22 | — | Mar 5 – Mar 12 | — | 50–70 days | Very frost/cold sensitive; start indoors 5-6 weeks before last frost, transplant only after all danger of frost (1-2 weeks after) and nights stay warm. |
| Cilantro | — | Feb 5 – Feb 19 | — | Sep 27 – Oct 11 | 45–70 days | Cool-season, bolts in heat; direct sow 1-3 weeks before last frost, succession sow through spring. |
| Parsley | Jan 1 – Jan 15 | — | Feb 12 – Feb 19 | — | 70–90 days | Slow to germinate; start indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost, transplant 1-2 weeks before last frost (biennial, cold-tolerant). |
| Dill | — | Feb 5 – Feb 19 | — | — | 40–60 days | Taprooted, does not transplant well; direct sow 1-3 weeks before last frost, succession sow through summer. |
| Oregano | Jan 1 – Jan 15 | — | Feb 26 – Mar 5 | — | 80–90 days | Perennial herb; start indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost, transplant around/just after last frost date. |
| Thyme | Jan 1 – Jan 15 | — | Feb 26 – Mar 5 | — | 85–95 days | Perennial herb, slow from seed; start indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost, transplant around/after last frost. |
| Crop | Start indoors | Direct sow | Transplant | Fall planting | Maturity | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sunflower | — | Mar 5 – Mar 19 | — | — | 70–100 days | Direct sow 1-3 weeks after last frost once soil has warmed; taprooted, resents transplanting. |
| Zinnia | Jan 29 – Feb 5 | Mar 5 – Mar 19 | Mar 5 – Mar 12 | — | 60–70 days | Frost-tender; direct sow 1-3 weeks after last frost, or start indoors 3-4 weeks early for earlier blooms. |
| Marigold | Jan 15 – Jan 29 | — | Mar 5 – Mar 12 | — | 45–60 days | Frost-tender; start indoors 4-6 weeks before last frost, transplant after all frost danger has passed. |
| Cosmos | Jan 29 – Feb 5 | Mar 5 – Mar 19 | Mar 5 – Mar 12 | — | 60–90 days | Easy from direct seed 1-3 weeks after last frost; can also start indoors 3-4 weeks early. |
| Nasturtium | — | Mar 5 – Mar 19 | — | — | 50–65 days | Frost-tender, resents root disturbance; direct sow 1-3 weeks after last frost once soil has warmed. |
| Dahlia | — | — | Mar 5 – Mar 19 | — | 90–120 days | Plant tubers 1-3 weeks after last frost once soil is warm (60F+); very frost-sensitive. |
Date ranges are estimates based on university extension guidelines and this city's NOAA frost normals — not a guarantee. Scroll to see all columns on narrow screens.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the last frost in Vicksburg, MS?
Based on 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals for the VICKSBURG CITY, MS US station, the last spring frost in Vicksburg typically falls around February 26. A cautious gardener might wait until March 16 (only a 10% chance of a later frost), while January 31 marks an earlier, higher-risk planting date.
When is the first frost in Vicksburg, MS in fall?
The first fall frost in Vicksburg typically arrives around November 22. To stay safe, assume frost could start as early as November 3; in milder years it can hold off until December 15.
How long is the growing season in Vicksburg, MS?
Vicksburg's average frost-free growing season is about 269 days, running from the typical last spring frost (February 26) to the typical first fall frost (November 22).
What USDA hardiness zone is Vicksburg, MS in?
Vicksburg, MS is in USDA plant hardiness zone 8b, per the USDA's 2023 Plant Hardiness Zone Map. Mild winters and a long growing season, room for both cool- and warm-season crops.