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

Planting zone for 38804 — Tupelo, MS

ZIP code 38804 (Tupelo, Lee County) is in USDA zone 8a: the coldest winter night averages 10 to 15 °F. The median last spring frost is March 21 and the first fall frost November 10.

Where ZIP 38804 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 frostMar 21

First frostNov 10

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 Tupelo, 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 Tupelo, MS

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMarch 21median — 50% chance of a later frost

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

First fall frostNovember 10median — 10% chance by Oct 30

Growing season237 daysfrost-free, median

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

From the NOAA station Tupelo 2, MS — 6 miles away, elevation 351 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 38804

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Feb 7 – Feb 21

SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 7 – Feb 28

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 10 – Jan 24

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Feb 28 – Mar 14

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Feb 21 – Mar 7

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Feb 28 – Mar 14

LettuceSow outdoors · Feb 21 – Mar 7

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Feb 28 – Mar 14

TomatoesStart indoors · Jan 24 – Feb 7

TomatoesTransplant · Mar 28 – Apr 11

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 10 – Jan 24

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 4 – Apr 18

BeansSow outdoors · Mar 28 – Apr 11

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Mar 28 – Apr 11

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Mar 28 – Apr 11

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 21) 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 38804 came on Feb 16 — 3 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 13).

average
Feb 132026
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 Tupelo, MS.

Soil in Tupelo, MS

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 38804 is Cahaba — fine sandy loam, well drained.

TextureFine 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 classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Cahaba and Ruston fine sandy loams, 17 to 30 percent slopes (smithdale, 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 38804; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Tupelo, MS

Summer high90 °Faverage high, July

Winter low32 °Faverage low, January

Hot days66days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights57nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days5,349base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 27 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

Precipitation56.1 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: Tupelo 2, MS (6 mi away); precipitation: Tupelo 3, MS (3 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 8a.

388578a

Mooreville, MS · 6 mi

Plantersville, MS · 8 mi

All 4 ZIP codes in Tupelo → · Mississippi planting zones →

Questions about 38804

What planting zone is ZIP code 38804?

ZIP code 38804 (Tupelo, 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 Tupelo, MS?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 38804 is March 21; after April 7 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Tupelo 2 station.

When is the first frost in Tupelo, MS?

The median first fall frost near 38804 is November 10, giving a median frost-free growing season of 237 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 38804?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Jan 24 – Feb 7 and set transplants outside around Mar 28 – Apr 11, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 38804 get?

About 56.1 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Tupelo 3 station).

How hot do summers get in Tupelo, MS?

The average high peaks at 90 °F in July, with about 66 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 38804 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Cahaba at the center of ZIP 38804: fine sandy loam, well drained, pH about 5.3 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Tupelo, MS in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 38804 came on Feb 16 in 2026, 3 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 13), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Tupelo, MS?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 38804 is 14 h 27 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 38804 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 38804 in zone 7b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 8a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.