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

Planting zone for 38686 — Walls, MS

Q: What planting zone is ZIP code 38686?

ZIP code 38686 (Walls, 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).

Q: When is the last frost in Walls, MS?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 38686 is March 19; after April 7 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, W Memphis station.

Q: When is the first frost in Walls, MS?

The median first fall frost near 38686 is November 10, giving a median frost-free growing season of 235 days.

Q: When should I plant tomatoes in 38686?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Jan 22 – Feb 5 and set transplants outside around Mar 26 – Apr 9, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

Q: How much rain and snow does 38686 get?

About 55.9 inches of precipitation a year and 2 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, W Memphis station).

Q: How hot do summers get in Walls, MS?

The average high peaks at 91 °F in July, with about 61 days a year at 90 °F or more.

Q: What kind of soil does 38686 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Dubbs at the center of ZIP 38686: very fine sandy loam, well drained, pH about 5.3 (strongly acidic).

Q: Did spring come early in Walls, MS in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 38686 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.

Q: What kind of onions grow in Walls, MS?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 38686 is 14 h 30 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

ZIP code 38686 (Walls, DeSoto County) is in USDA zone 8a: the coldest winter night averages 10 to 15 °F. The median last spring frost is March 19 and the first fall frost November 10.

Where ZIP 38686 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.

Zone8a10 to 15 °F

Coldest night−12.2 to −9.4 °C

Last frostMar 19

First frostNov 10

2012 zone8a

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 8a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Walls, 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 Walls, MS

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMarch 19median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsApril 7only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostNovember 10median — 10% chance by Oct 28

Growing season235 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 7 and returns around November 22.

From the NOAA station W Memphis, AR — 12 miles away, elevation 217 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 38686

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Feb 5 – Feb 19

SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 5 – Feb 26

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 8 – Jan 22

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Feb 26 – Mar 12

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Feb 19 – Mar 5

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Feb 26 – Mar 12

LettuceSow outdoors · Feb 19 – Mar 5

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Feb 26 – Mar 12

TomatoesStart indoors · Jan 22 – Feb 5

TomatoesTransplant · Mar 26 – Apr 9

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 8 – Jan 22

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 2 – Apr 16

BeansSow outdoors · Mar 26 – Apr 9

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Mar 26 – Apr 9

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Mar 26 – Apr 9

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 15 – Sep 29

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 27 – Dec 1

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Mar 19) and first fall frost (Nov 10) 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 38686 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 Walls, MS.

Soil in Walls, MS

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 38686 is Dubbs — very fine sandy loam, well drained.

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

pH5.3strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter1.25%low — add compost

Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately

Farmland classprime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Dubbs very fine sandy loam, very gently sloping phase.

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 38686; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Walls, MS

Summer high91 °Faverage high, July

Winter low31 °Faverage low, January

Hot days61days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights58nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days5,384base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 30 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 48 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation55.9 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall2 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: W Memphis, AR (12 mi away); precipitation: W Memphis, AR (12 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 8a.

386808a

Walls, MS · <1 mi

386418a

Lake Cormorant, MS · 3 mi

All 2 ZIP codes in Walls → · Mississippi planting zones →

Questions about 38686

What planting zone is ZIP code 38686?

ZIP code 38686 (Walls, 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 Walls, MS?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 38686 is March 19; after April 7 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, W Memphis station.

When is the first frost in Walls, MS?

The median first fall frost near 38686 is November 10, giving a median frost-free growing season of 235 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 38686?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Jan 22 – Feb 5 and set transplants outside around Mar 26 – Apr 9, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 38686 get?

About 55.9 inches of precipitation a year and 2 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, W Memphis station).

How hot do summers get in Walls, MS?

The average high peaks at 91 °F in July, with about 61 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 38686 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Dubbs at the center of ZIP 38686: very fine sandy loam, well drained, pH about 5.3 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Walls, MS in 2026?