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

Planting zone for 38685 — Waterford, MS

ZIP code 38685 (Waterford, Lafayette County) is in USDA zone 8a: the coldest winter night averages 10 to 15 °F. The median last spring frost is April 3 and the first fall frost October 31.

Where ZIP 38685 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 3

First frostOct 31

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 Waterford, 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 Waterford, 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 21only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 31median — 10% chance by Oct 18

Growing season210 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 21 and returns around November 12.

From the NOAA station University, MS — 16 miles away, elevation 407 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 38685

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 5 – Sep 19

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 17 – Nov 21

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Apr 3) and first fall frost (Oct 31) 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 38685 came on Feb 16 — about the same time as the 1991–2020 average (Feb 16).

average
Feb 162026
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 Waterford, MS.

Soil in Waterford, MS

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 38685 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 38685; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Waterford, MS

Summer high91 °Faverage high, July

Winter low31 °Faverage low, January

Hot days74days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights68nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days5,324base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 28 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

Precipitation60.6 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: University, MS (16 mi away); precipitation: Abbeville, MS (6 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

386018a

Abbeville, MS · 8 mi

386598a

Potts Camp, MS · 9 mi

386357b

Holly Springs, MS · 12 mi

386347b

Holly Springs, MS · 12 mi

386777b

University, MS · 16 mi

386757b

Tula, MS · 16 mi

386337b

Hickory Flat, MS · 17 mi

386278a

Etta, MS · 17 mi

Mississippi planting zones →

Questions about 38685

What planting zone is ZIP code 38685?

ZIP code 38685 (Waterford, 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 Waterford, MS?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 38685 is April 3; after April 21 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, University station.

When is the first frost in Waterford, MS?

The median first fall frost near 38685 is October 31, giving a median frost-free growing season of 210 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 38685?

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 38685 get?

About 60.6 inches of precipitation a year and 1 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Abbeville station).

How hot do summers get in Waterford, MS?

The average high peaks at 91 °F in July, with about 74 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 38685 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Cahaba at the center of ZIP 38685: sandy loam, well drained, pH about 5.0 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Waterford, MS in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 38685 came on Feb 16 in 2026, about the same as the 1991–2020 average (Feb 16), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Waterford, MS?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 38685 is 14 h 28 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 38685 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 38685 in zone 7b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 8a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.