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

Planting zone for 38652 — New Albany, MS

ZIP code 38652 (New Albany, Union County) is in USDA zone 8a: the coldest winter night averages 10 to 15 °F. The median last spring frost is April 8 and the first fall frost October 28.

Where ZIP 38652 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 frostApr 8

First frostOct 28

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 New Albany, 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 New Albany, MS

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

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

Safe for tender plantsApril 25only 10% chance of frost after

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

Growing season202 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 28 and returns around November 5.

From the NOAA station Hickory Flat, MS — 14 miles away, elevation 400 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 38652

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Feb 25 – Mar 11

SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 25 – Mar 18

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 28 – Feb 11

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 18 – Apr 1

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 11 – Mar 25

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 18 – Apr 1

LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 11 – Mar 25

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 18 – Apr 1

TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 11 – Feb 25

TomatoesTransplant · Apr 15 – Apr 29

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 28 – Feb 11

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 22 – May 6

BeansSow outdoors · Apr 15 – Apr 29

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 15 – Apr 29

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 15 – Apr 29

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 8) 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 38652 came on Feb 15 — about the same time as the 1991–2020 average (Feb 14).

average
Feb 142026
Feb 15

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 New Albany, MS.

Soil in New Albany, MS

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 38652 is Atwood — silt loam, well drained.

TextureSilt loama good balance for most vegetables

pH5.5moderately acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter1.5%low — add compost

Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly

Farmland classFarmland of statewide importanceUSDA classification

Map unit: Atwood silt loam, 5 to 8 percent slopes, moderately eroded.

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 38652; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in New Albany, MS

Summer high90 °Faverage high, July

Winter low28 °Faverage low, January

Hot days59days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights80nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days4,788base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 28 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 51 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation57.6 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall1 inper year; 1 days with snow on the ground

Average high and low, by month

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Hickory Flat, MS (14 mi away); precipitation: New Albany, MS (within 1 mile). 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.

388288a

Blue Springs, MS · 9 mi

Blue Mountain, MS · 12 mi

Mississippi planting zones →

Questions about 38652

What planting zone is ZIP code 38652?

ZIP code 38652 (New Albany, 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 New Albany, MS?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 38652 is April 8; after April 25 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Hickory Flat station.

When is the first frost in New Albany, MS?

The median first fall frost near 38652 is October 28, giving a median frost-free growing season of 202 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 38652?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 11 – Feb 25 and set transplants outside around Apr 15 – Apr 29, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 38652 get?

About 57.6 inches of precipitation a year and 1 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, New Albany station).

How hot do summers get in New Albany, MS?

The average high peaks at 90 °F in July, with about 59 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 38652 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Atwood at the center of ZIP 38652: silt loam, well drained, pH about 5.5 (moderately acidic).

Did spring come early in New Albany, MS in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 38652 came on Feb 15 in 2026, about the same as the 1991–2020 average (Feb 14), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in New Albany, MS?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 38652 is 14 h 28 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 38652 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 38652 in zone 7b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 8a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.