Data: 2023 USDA zones (PRISM/OSU) · NOAA 1991–2020 normals · updated Oct 30, 2026

Planting zone for Indianola, MS

Indianola, MS is in USDA zone 8b across its 2 ZIP codes. The median last spring frost is March 8 and the first fall frost November 20.

Indianola on the zone map

Outlined: its 1 ZIP code areas · tap the map for the zone at any spot · scroll or pinch to zoom

Not the official USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map. Zones come from the 2023 USDA hardiness-zone data by the PRISM Group, Oregon State University; we re-mapped and recolored them. The official map is at planthardiness.ars.usda.gov.

Zone8b15 to 20 °F

ZIP codes2

Last frostMar 8

First frostNov 20

Growing season255 days

8b 2 ZIPs

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Indianola, MS…

Forecast data: National Weather Service (api.weather.gov), public domain. This is not a warning service — for official frost and freeze warnings see weather.gov.

Frost dates in Indianola, MS

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free

Last spring frostMarch 8median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMarch 27only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostNovember 20median — 10% chance by Nov 4

Growing season255 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around February 25 and returns around December 3.

From the NOAA station Moorhead, MS, elevation 118 ft. NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, 32 °F threshold. Low spots and valleys can freeze later in spring than the station.

When to plant vegetables in Indianola

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Jan 25 – Feb 8

SpinachSow outdoors · Jan 25 – Feb 15

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Dec 28 – Jan 11

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Feb 15 – Mar 1

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Feb 8 – Feb 22

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Feb 15 – Mar 1

LettuceSow outdoors · Feb 8 – Feb 22

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Feb 15 – Mar 1

TomatoesStart indoors · Jan 11 – Jan 25

TomatoesTransplant · Mar 15 – Mar 29

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Dec 28 – Jan 11

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Mar 22 – Apr 5

BeansSow outdoors · Mar 15 – Mar 29

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Mar 15 – Mar 29

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Mar 15 – Mar 29

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 25 – Oct 9

GarlicPlant cloves · Nov 6 – Dec 11

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Mar 8) and first fall frost (Nov 20) with the rules of thumb U.S. extension services publish. Cool-season crops take a light frost; warm-season crops do best once the soil is above about 60 °F.

When spring arrived in 2026

In 2026, spring leaf-out near 38751 came on Feb 12 — 4 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 8).

average
Feb 82026
Feb 12

JanFebMarAprMayJun

The Spring Index marks the day when accumulated warmth is enough for lilac and honeysuckle to leaf out — a widely used signal that the growing season has started. Source: USA National Phenology Network, www.usanpn.org — Spring Indices, first leaf, 2026 (data as of 2026-09-08) and 30-year average 1991–2020 (CC BY 4.0).

Native plants for zone 8b in Mississippi

526 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in Mississippi, and rated by the USDA to survive 15 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 8b. Each links to its USDA PLANTS profile.

Source: USDA, NRCS. 2026. The PLANTS Database (plants.usda.gov), National Plant Data Team — state distribution, native status and the “Temperature, Minimum” characteristic. Check light, moisture and soil needs before buying; local nurseries and your state native plant society can confirm what thrives in Indianola, MS.

Soil in Indianola, MS

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 38751 is Dexter — silt loam, well drained.

TextureSilt loama good balance for most vegetables

pH5.3strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter1.25%low — add compost

Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately

Farmland classprime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Dexter silt loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes (dubbs).

Soil Survey Staff, Natural Resources Conservation Service, USDA. Soil Survey Geographic (SSURGO) Database, via Soil Data Access, accessed 2026-10-29. The soil at the center point of ZIP 38751; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Indianola, MS

Summer high91 °Faverage high, July

Winter low35 °Faverage low, January

Hot days73days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights35nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days5,947base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 22 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 56 mindaylight on December 21

Onions to growIntermediateday-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully

Precipitation56.5 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

Precipitation by month inches

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Moorhead, MS (9 mi away); precipitation: Indianola 1.1 N, MS (2 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

ZIP codes in Indianola

Mississippi planting zones →

Questions about Indianola

What planting zone is Indianola, MS?

Indianola, MS is in USDA hardiness zone 8b on the 2023 map (8b: 15 to 20 °F).

When is the last frost in Indianola, MS?

The median last spring frost is March 8 and the median first fall frost is November 20 (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Moorhead station).

When can I plant a garden in Indianola, MS?

Cool-season crops like peas and spinach go in around Jan 25 – Feb 15; tomatoes, peppers, beans and squash after about Mar 15, once frost risk has passed.

What kind of onions grow in Indianola, MS?

Intermediate onions: the longest day is 14 h 22 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

How much rain and snow does Indianola, MS get?

About 56.5 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals).