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

Planting zone for 38659 — Potts Camp, MS

ZIP code 38659 (Potts Camp, Marshall 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 38659 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 Potts Camp, 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 Potts Camp, 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 — 8 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 38659

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 38659 came on Feb 16 — about the same time as the 1991–2020 average (Feb 17).

average
Feb 172026
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 Potts Camp, MS.

Soil in Potts Camp, MS

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 38659 is Cahaba — 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: Gullied land-Cahaba complex, 5 to 30 percent slopes (smithdale).

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 38659; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Potts Camp, 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 29 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 50 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation58.6 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall3 inper year; 2 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 (8 mi away); precipitation: Hickory Flat, MS (8 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

386337b

Hickory Flat, MS · 8 mi

386858a

Waterford, MS · 9 mi

386018a

Abbeville, MS · 12 mi

386347b

Holly Springs, MS · 12 mi

Holly Springs, MS · 13 mi

386108a

Blue Mountain, MS · 18 mi

Mississippi planting zones →

Questions about 38659

What planting zone is ZIP code 38659?

ZIP code 38659 (Potts Camp, 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 Potts Camp, MS?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 38659 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 Potts Camp, MS?

The median first fall frost near 38659 is October 28, giving a median frost-free growing season of 202 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 38659?

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 38659 get?

About 58.6 inches of precipitation a year and 3 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Hickory Flat station).

How hot do summers get in Potts Camp, 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 38659 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Cahaba at the center of ZIP 38659: sandy loam, well drained, pH about 5.0 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Potts Camp, MS in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 38659 came on Feb 16 in 2026, about the same as the 1991–2020 average (Feb 17), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Potts Camp, MS?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 38659 is 14 h 29 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 38659 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 38659 in zone 7b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 8a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.