Jackson International Airport, MS Frost Dates & Growing Season

The two dates every Jackson International Airport garden is planned around, plus ready-computed planting windows for the most popular crops.

Last spring frost
Mar 14
~50% chance of frost after
First fall frost
Nov 14
~50% chance of frost before
Growing season
245 days
frost-free stretch
USDA zone
≈ 8b
estimated from nearby reference
Risky (1 year in 10)MedianSafe (9 years in 10)
Last spring frost Feb 22 Mar 14 Apr 2
First fall frost Dec 4 Nov 14 Oct 31
Hard freeze (28°F), median last Feb 28 · first Nov 28

Computed from NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals at the JACKSON INTL AP station. "Safe" means frost past that date happens only about one year in ten. Your exact garden can still run days either way with elevation and terrain — check your own ZIP with the frost date lookup.

Planting windows for Jackson International Airport

Computed from Jackson International Airport's own frost dates. Click any crop for the full zone-8 growing guide — varieties, spacing, fall plantings, and more.

CropStart seeds indoorsTransplantDirect sow
🍅 Tomatoes Jan 17 – Jan 31 Mar 21 – Mar 28
🫑 Peppers Jan 3 – Jan 17 Mar 28 – Apr 4
🥬 Lettuce Jan 31 – Feb 14 Feb 14 – Feb 28 Feb 14 – Mar 14
🫛 Peas Jan 31 – Feb 14
🥕 Carrots Feb 21 – Mar 14
🥦 Broccoli Jan 24 – Feb 7 Feb 21 – Mar 7
🥬 Kale Jan 31 – Feb 14 Feb 14 – Feb 28 Feb 14 – Feb 28
🥒 Cucumbers Feb 14 – Feb 21 Mar 21 – Mar 28 Mar 21 – Mar 28
🥒 Zucchini Feb 14 – Feb 21 Mar 21 – Mar 28 Mar 21 – Mar 28
🫘 Green Beans (Bush) Mar 21 – Mar 28
🌽 Sweet Corn Mar 21 – Mar 28
🌿 Basil Jan 31 – Feb 14 Mar 21 – Mar 28 Mar 28 – Apr 4
🧄 Garlic Fall: Oct 3 – Oct 31

Want this for all 50 crops, or as a printable seed-shelf schedule? Use the planting calendar and the seed starting scheduler — both can use Jackson International Airport's dates automatically after a lookup.

Reading the season in Jackson International Airport

With roughly 245 frost-free days, Jackson International Airport gardens fit long-season crops — melons, winter squash, sweet potatoes — with room left for spring and fall rounds of greens and roots. The first frost around Nov 14 is late enough that fall planting is a full second season, not an afterthought.

Frequently asked questions

When is the last frost in Jackson International Airport, MS?

The average last spring frost in Jackson International Airport is around Mar 14, based on 1991–2020 climate normals. That's a median — about half of years see a later frost, so tender crops are safest going out a week or two after this date.

When is the first frost in Jackson International Airport, MS?

The average first fall frost in Jackson International Airport arrives around Nov 14. Crops still in the garden need to mature before then, and frost-tender plants need harvesting or protection as the date approaches.

How long is the growing season in Jackson International Airport?

About 245 frost-free days on average, from Mar 14 to Nov 14. That comfortably fits long-season crops like melons and winter squash, plus spring and fall plantings of cool-season vegetables.

What USDA zone is Jackson International Airport in?

USDA zone 8b on the 2023 Plant Hardiness Zone Map. Note that zones describe winter cold, not frost timing — these frost dates are the numbers to plan plantings around.