Meridian Key Field, MS Frost Dates & Growing Season

The two dates every Meridian Key Field garden is planned around, plus ready-computed planting windows for the most popular crops.

Last spring frost
Mar 16
~50% chance of frost after
First fall frost
Nov 12
~50% chance of frost before
Growing season
241 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 24 Mar 16 Apr 3
First fall frost Dec 2 Nov 12 Oct 29
Hard freeze (28°F), median last Feb 28 · first Nov 27

Computed from NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals at the MERIDIAN KEY FLD 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 Meridian Key Field

Computed from Meridian Key Field'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 19 – Feb 2 Mar 23 – Mar 30
🫑 Peppers Jan 5 – Jan 19 Mar 30 – Apr 6
🥬 Lettuce Feb 2 – Feb 16 Feb 16 – Mar 2 Feb 16 – Mar 16
🫛 Peas Feb 2 – Feb 16
🥕 Carrots Feb 23 – Mar 16
🥦 Broccoli Jan 26 – Feb 9 Feb 23 – Mar 9
🥬 Kale Feb 2 – Feb 16 Feb 16 – Mar 2 Feb 16 – Mar 2
🥒 Cucumbers Feb 16 – Feb 23 Mar 23 – Mar 30 Mar 23 – Mar 30
🥒 Zucchini Feb 16 – Feb 23 Mar 23 – Mar 30 Mar 23 – Mar 30
🫘 Green Beans (Bush) Mar 23 – Mar 30
🌽 Sweet Corn Mar 23 – Mar 30
🌿 Basil Feb 2 – Feb 16 Mar 23 – Mar 30 Mar 30 – Apr 6
🧄 Garlic Fall: Oct 1 – Oct 29

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 Meridian Key Field's dates automatically after a lookup.

Reading the season in Meridian Key Field

With roughly 241 frost-free days, Meridian Key Field 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 12 is late enough that fall planting is a full second season, not an afterthought.

Frequently asked questions

When is the last frost in Meridian Key Field, MS?

The average last spring frost in Meridian Key Field is around Mar 16, 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 Meridian Key Field, MS?

The average first fall frost in Meridian Key Field arrives around Nov 12. 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 Meridian Key Field?

About 241 frost-free days on average, from Mar 16 to Nov 12. That comfortably fits long-season crops like melons and winter squash, plus spring and fall plantings of cool-season vegetables.

What USDA zone is Meridian Key Field 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.