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

Planting zone for Ocean Springs, MS

Ocean Springs, MS is in USDA zone 9a across its 2 ZIP codes. The median last spring frost is February 12 and the first fall frost December 14.

Ocean Springs 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.

Zone9a20 to 25 °F

ZIP codes2

Last frostFeb 12

First frostDec 14

Growing season301 days

9a 2 ZIPs

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Ocean Springs, 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 Ocean Springs, MS

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostFebruary 12median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMarch 11only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostDecember 14median — 10% chance by Nov 16

Growing season301 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around January 27 and returns around January 2.

From the NOAA station Biloxi, MS, elevation 10 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 Ocean Springs

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Jan 1 – Jan 15

SpinachSow outdoors · Jan 1 – Jan 22

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Dec 4 – Dec 18

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Jan 22 – Feb 5

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Jan 15 – Jan 29

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Jan 22 – Feb 5

LettuceSow outdoors · Jan 15 – Jan 29

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Jan 22 – Feb 5

TomatoesStart indoors · Dec 18 – Jan 1

TomatoesTransplant · Feb 19 – Mar 5

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Dec 4 – Dec 18

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Feb 26 – Mar 12

BeansSow outdoors · Feb 19 – Mar 5

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Feb 19 – Mar 5

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Feb 19 – Mar 5

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Oct 19 – Nov 2

GarlicPlant cloves · Nov 30 – Jan 4

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Feb 12) and first fall frost (Dec 14) 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 39566 came on Jan 16 — 11 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Jan 27).

average
Jan 272026
Jan 16

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 9a in Mississippi

541 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in Mississippi, and rated by the USDA to survive 20 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 9a. 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 Ocean Springs, MS.

Soil in Ocean Springs, MS

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 39566 is Benndale — fine sandy loam, well drained.

TextureFine sandy loamdrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding

pH5.0strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter2%moderate

Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately

Farmland classprime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Benndale fine sandy loam, 2 to 5 percent slopes.

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 39566; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Ocean Springs, MS

Summer high90 °Faverage high, July

Winter low44 °Faverage low, January

Hot days52days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights11nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days6,974base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 07 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day10 h 11 mindaylight on December 21

Onions to growShort-daysummer days stay under about 14 h 20 min, so long-day varieties won’t bulb

Precipitation65.9 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: Biloxi, MS (11 mi away); precipitation: Ocean Springs, MS (2 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

ZIP codes in Ocean Springs

Mississippi planting zones →

Questions about Ocean Springs

What planting zone is Ocean Springs, MS?

Ocean Springs, MS is in USDA hardiness zone 9a on the 2023 map (9a: 20 to 25 °F).

When is the last frost in Ocean Springs, MS?

The median last spring frost is February 12 and the median first fall frost is December 14 (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Biloxi station).

When can I plant a garden in Ocean Springs, MS?

Cool-season crops like peas and spinach go in around Jan 1 – Jan 22; tomatoes, peppers, beans and squash after about Feb 19, once frost risk has passed.

What kind of onions grow in Ocean Springs, MS?

Short-day onions: the longest day is 14 h 07 min, so summer days stay under about 14 h 20 min, so long-day varieties won’t bulb.

How much rain and snow does Ocean Springs, MS get?

About 65.9 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals).