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

Planting zone for 38669 — Sherard, MS

ZIP code 38669 (Sherard, Coahoma County) is in USDA zone 8b: the coldest winter night averages 15 to 20 °F. The median last spring frost is March 16 and the first fall frost November 12.

Where ZIP 38669 is

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.

Zone8b15 to 20 °F

Coldest night−9.4 to −6.7 °C

Last frostMar 16

First frostNov 12

2012 zone8a

Was 8a 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 8b means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Sherard, 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 Sherard, MS

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMarch 16median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsApril 2only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostNovember 12median — 10% chance by Oct 29

Growing season243 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 3 and returns around November 24.

From the NOAA station Clarksdale, MS — 10 miles away, elevation 174 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 38669

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Feb 2 – Feb 16

SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 2 – Feb 23

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 5 – Jan 19

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Feb 23 – Mar 9

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Feb 16 – Mar 2

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Feb 23 – Mar 9

LettuceSow outdoors · Feb 16 – Mar 2

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Feb 23 – Mar 9

TomatoesStart indoors · Jan 19 – Feb 2

TomatoesTransplant · Mar 23 – Apr 6

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 5 – Jan 19

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Mar 30 – Apr 13

BeansSow outdoors · Mar 23 – Apr 6

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Mar 23 – Apr 6

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Mar 23 – Apr 6

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 17 – Oct 1

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 29 – Dec 3

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Mar 16) and first fall frost (Nov 12) 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 38669 came on Feb 13 — about the same time as the 1991–2020 average (Feb 14).

average
Feb 142026
Feb 13

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 8b in Mississippi

526 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in Mississippi, and rated by the USDA to survive 15 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 8b. 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 Sherard, MS.

Soil in Sherard, MS

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 38669 is Dubbs — very fine sandy loam, well drained.

TextureVery fine sandy loamdrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding

pH5.2strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter0.61%low — add compost

Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately

Farmland classprime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Dubbs very fine sandy loam, 0 to 3 percent slopes, rarely flooded.

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 38669; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Sherard, MS

Summer high91 °Faverage high, August

Winter low32 °Faverage low, January

Hot days67days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights51nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days5,457base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 26 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 52 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation54.8 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: Clarksdale, MS (10 mi away); precipitation: Clarksdale 2.9 Sw, MS (7 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.

Clarksdale, MS · 8 mi

Friars Point, MS · 13 mi

723898b

Wabash, AR · 15 mi

Mississippi planting zones →

Questions about 38669

What planting zone is ZIP code 38669?

ZIP code 38669 (Sherard, MS) is in USDA hardiness zone 8b on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches 15 to 20 °F (−9.4 to −6.7 °C).

When is the last frost in Sherard, MS?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 38669 is March 16; after April 2 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Clarksdale station.

When is the first frost in Sherard, MS?

The median first fall frost near 38669 is November 12, giving a median frost-free growing season of 243 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 38669?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Jan 19 – Feb 2 and set transplants outside around Mar 23 – Apr 6, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 38669 get?

About 54.8 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Clarksdale 2.9 Sw station).

How hot do summers get in Sherard, MS?

The average high peaks at 91 °F in August, with about 67 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 38669 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Dubbs at the center of ZIP 38669: very fine sandy loam, well drained, pH about 5.2 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Sherard, MS in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 38669 came on Feb 13 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 Sherard, MS?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 38669 is 14 h 26 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 38669 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 38669 in zone 8a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 8b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.