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

Planting zone for 38642 — Lamar, MS

ZIP code 38642 (Lamar, Marshall County) is in USDA zone 7b: the coldest winter night averages 5 to 10 °F. The median last spring frost is April 6 and the first fall frost October 28.

Where ZIP 38642 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.

Zone7b5 to 10 °F

Coldest night−15 to −12.2 °C

Last frostApr 6

First frostOct 28

2012 zone7b

Same zone as on the 2012 map. The zone is the one at the center of the ZIP code; hilly ZIPs can span two zones. What zone 7b means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Lamar, 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 Lamar, MS

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostApril 6median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsApril 23only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 28median — 10% chance by Oct 14

Growing season206 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 25 and returns around November 7.

From the NOAA station Holly Springs 4 N, MS — 8 miles away, elevation 486 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 38642

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Feb 23 – Mar 9

SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 23 – Mar 16

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 26 – Feb 9

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 16 – Mar 30

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 9 – Mar 23

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 16 – Mar 30

LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 9 – Mar 23

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 16 – Mar 30

TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 9 – Feb 23

TomatoesTransplant · Apr 13 – Apr 27

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 26 – Feb 9

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 20 – May 4

BeansSow outdoors · Apr 13 – Apr 27

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 13 – Apr 27

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 13 – Apr 27

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 2 – Sep 16

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 14 – Nov 18

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 6) and first fall frost (Oct 28) 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 38642 came on Feb 18 — about the same time as the 1991–2020 average (Feb 19).

average
Feb 192026
Feb 18

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 7b in Mississippi

488 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in Mississippi, and rated by the USDA to survive 5 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 7b. 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 Lamar, MS.

Soil in Lamar, MS

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 38642 is Smithdale — sandy loam, well drained.

TextureSandy 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 matter1.25%low — add compost

Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Smithdale and Toinette soils, 20 to 45 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 38642; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Lamar, MS

Summer high89 °Faverage high, July

Winter low29 °Faverage low, January

Hot days44days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights83nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days4,656base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 30 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 48 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation55.5 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: Holly Springs 4 N, MS (8 mi away); precipitation: Holly Springs 4 N, MS (8 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

1 of the 8 nearest ZIP codes are in a different zone — elevation and distance from water change winter lows quickly.

386477b

Michigan City, MS · 8 mi

380578a

Moscow, TN · 10 mi

386497b

Mount Pleasant, MS · 11 mi

386347b

Holly Springs, MS · 12 mi

386037b

Ashland, MS · 12 mi

386617b

Red Banks, MS · 12 mi

386357b

Holly Springs, MS · 13 mi

380397b

Grand Junction, TN · 13 mi

Mississippi planting zones →

Questions about 38642

What planting zone is ZIP code 38642?

ZIP code 38642 (Lamar, MS) is in USDA hardiness zone 7b on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches 5 to 10 °F (−15 to −12.2 °C).

When is the last frost in Lamar, MS?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 38642 is April 6; after April 23 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Holly Springs 4 N station.

When is the first frost in Lamar, MS?

The median first fall frost near 38642 is October 28, giving a median frost-free growing season of 206 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 38642?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 9 – Feb 23 and set transplants outside around Apr 13 – Apr 27, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 38642 get?

About 55.5 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Holly Springs 4 N station).

How hot do summers get in Lamar, MS?

The average high peaks at 89 °F in July, with about 44 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 38642 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Smithdale at the center of ZIP 38642: sandy loam, well drained, pH about 5.0 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Lamar, MS in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 38642 came on Feb 18 in 2026, about the same as the 1991–2020 average (Feb 19), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Lamar, MS?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 38642 is 14 h 30 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.