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

Planting zone for 38663 — Ripley, MS

ZIP code 38663 (Ripley, Tippah County) is in USDA zone 7b: the coldest winter night averages 5 to 10 °F. The median last spring frost is April 3 and the first fall frost October 30.

Where ZIP 38663 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 3

First frostOct 30

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 Ripley, 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 Ripley, MS

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostApril 3median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsApril 19only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 30median — 10% chance by Oct 19

Growing season210 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 21 and returns around November 10.

From the NOAA station Ripley, MS — 2 miles away, elevation 525 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 38663

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Feb 20 – Mar 6

SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 20 – Mar 13

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 23 – Feb 6

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 13 – Mar 27

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 6 – Mar 20

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 13 – Mar 27

LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 6 – Mar 20

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 13 – Mar 27

TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 6 – Feb 20

TomatoesTransplant · Apr 10 – Apr 24

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 23 – Feb 6

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 17 – May 1

BeansSow outdoors · Apr 10 – Apr 24

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 10 – Apr 24

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 10 – Apr 24

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 4 – Sep 18

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 16 – Nov 20

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 3) and first fall frost (Oct 30) 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 38663 came on Feb 17 — 3 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 20).

average
Feb 202026
Feb 17

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 Ripley, MS.

Soil in Ripley, MS

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 38663 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-Sweatman-Providence association, 12 to 35 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 38663; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Ripley, MS

Summer high90 °Faverage high, July

Winter low29 °Faverage low, January

Hot days48days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights80nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days4,780base 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

Precipitation57.6 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall2 inper year

Average high and low, by month

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Ripley, MS (2 mi away); precipitation: Ripley, MS (2 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

386747b

Tiplersville, MS · 9 mi

386108a

Blue Mountain, MS · 9 mi

Hickory Flat, MS · 18 mi

Mississippi planting zones →

Questions about 38663

What planting zone is ZIP code 38663?

ZIP code 38663 (Ripley, 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 Ripley, MS?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 38663 is April 3; after April 19 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Ripley station.

When is the first frost in Ripley, MS?

The median first fall frost near 38663 is October 30, giving a median frost-free growing season of 210 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 38663?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 6 – Feb 20 and set transplants outside around Apr 10 – Apr 24, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 38663 get?

About 57.6 inches of precipitation a year and 2 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Ripley station).

How hot do summers get in Ripley, MS?

The average high peaks at 90 °F in July, with about 48 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 38663 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Smithdale at the center of ZIP 38663: sandy loam, well drained, pH about 5.0 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Ripley, MS in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 38663 came on Feb 17 in 2026, 3 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 20), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Ripley, MS?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 38663 is 14 h 29 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.