Data: 2023 USDA zones (PRISM/OSU) · NOAA 1991–2020 normals · updated Oct 29, 2026

Planting zone for 38618 — Coldwater, MS

ZIP code 38618 (Coldwater, Tate County) is in USDA zone 8a: the coldest winter night averages 10 to 15 °F. The median last spring frost is March 20 and the first fall frost November 4.

Where ZIP 38618 is

Outlined: the ZIP code area · 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.

Zone8a10 to 15 °F

Coldest night−12.2 to −9.4 °C

Last frostMar 20

First frostNov 4

2012 zone7b

Was 7b on the 2012 map — half a zone warmer now. The zone is the one at the center of the ZIP code; hilly ZIPs can span two zones. What zone 8a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Coldwater, 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 Coldwater, MS

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMarch 20median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsApril 5only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostNovember 4median — 10% chance by Oct 22

Growing season229 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 9 and returns around November 16.

From the NOAA station Senatobia, MS — 6 miles away, elevation 240 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 38618

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Feb 6 – Feb 20

SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 6 – Feb 27

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 9 – Jan 23

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Feb 27 – Mar 13

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Feb 20 – Mar 6

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Feb 27 – Mar 13

LettuceSow outdoors · Feb 20 – Mar 6

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Feb 27 – Mar 13

TomatoesStart indoors · Jan 23 – Feb 6

TomatoesTransplant · Mar 27 – Apr 10

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 9 – Jan 23

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 3 – Apr 17

BeansSow outdoors · Mar 27 – Apr 10

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Mar 27 – Apr 10

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Mar 27 – Apr 10

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 9 – Sep 23

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 21 – Nov 25

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Mar 20) and first fall frost (Nov 4) 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 38618 came on Feb 16 — about the same time as the 1991–2020 average (Feb 16).

average
Feb 162026
Feb 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 8a in Mississippi

508 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in Mississippi, and rated by the USDA to survive 10 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 8a. 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 Coldwater, MS.

Soil in Coldwater, MS

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 38618 is Falaya — silt loam, somewhat poorly drained.

TextureSilt loama good balance for most vegetables

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

DrainageSomewhat poorly drainedconsider raised beds

Organic matter1.75%low — add compost

Hydrologic groupB/Dmoderate when drained; wet otherwise

Farmland classPrime farmland if drained and either protected from flooding or not frequently flooded during the growing seasonUSDA classification

Map unit: Falaya silt loam.

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 38618; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Coldwater, MS

Summer high92 °Faverage high, August

Winter low31 °Faverage low, January

Hot days75days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights64nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days5,338base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 29 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 49 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation57.9 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: Senatobia, MS (6 mi away); precipitation: Senatobia, MS (6 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 8a.

386388a

Independence, MS · 6 mi

Arkabutla, MS · 10 mi

386518a

Nesbit, MS · 13 mi

386728a

Southaven, MS · 13 mi

Mississippi planting zones →

Questions about 38618

What planting zone is ZIP code 38618?

ZIP code 38618 (Coldwater, MS) is in USDA hardiness zone 8a on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches 10 to 15 °F (−12.2 to −9.4 °C).

When is the last frost in Coldwater, MS?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 38618 is March 20; after April 5 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Senatobia station.

When is the first frost in Coldwater, MS?

The median first fall frost near 38618 is November 4, giving a median frost-free growing season of 229 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 38618?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Jan 23 – Feb 6 and set transplants outside around Mar 27 – Apr 10, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 38618 get?

About 57.9 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Senatobia station).

How hot do summers get in Coldwater, MS?

The average high peaks at 92 °F in August, with about 75 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 38618 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Falaya at the center of ZIP 38618: silt loam, somewhat poorly drained, pH about 5.0 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Coldwater, MS in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 38618 came on Feb 16 in 2026, about the same as the 1991–2020 average (Feb 16), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Coldwater, MS?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 38618 is 14 h 29 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 38618 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 38618 in zone 7b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 8a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.