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

Planting zone for 38857 — Mooreville, MS

ZIP code 38857 (Mooreville, Lee County) is in USDA zone 8a: the coldest winter night averages 10 to 15 °F. The median last spring frost is April 1 and the first fall frost October 31.

Where ZIP 38857 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 1

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 Mooreville, 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 Mooreville, MS

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostApril 1median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsApril 16only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostOctober 31median — 10% chance by Oct 17

Growing season212 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 21 and returns around November 9.

From the NOAA station Fulton 3 W, MS — 7 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 38857

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Feb 18 – Mar 4

SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 18 – Mar 11

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 21 – Feb 4

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 11 – Mar 25

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Mar 4 – Mar 18

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 11 – Mar 25

LettuceSow outdoors · Mar 4 – Mar 18

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 11 – Mar 25

TomatoesStart indoors · Feb 4 – Feb 18

TomatoesTransplant · Apr 8 – Apr 22

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 21 – Feb 4

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 15 – Apr 29

BeansSow outdoors · Apr 8 – Apr 22

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Apr 8 – Apr 22

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Apr 8 – Apr 22

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 1) 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 38857 came on Feb 16 — about the same time as the 1991–2020 average (Feb 14).

average
Feb 142026
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 Mooreville, MS.

Soil in Mooreville, MS

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 38857 is Mantachie — fine sandy loam, somewhat poorly drained.

TextureFine sandy loamdrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding

pH5.0strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageSomewhat poorly drainedconsider raised beds

Organic matter2%moderate

Hydrologic groupB/Dmoderate when drained; wet otherwise

Farmland classPrime farmland if drainedUSDA classification

Map unit: Mantachie fine sandy loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes, occasionally 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 38857; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Mooreville, MS

Summer high89 °Faverage high, July

Winter low30 °Faverage low, January

Hot days56days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights67nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days4,950base 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

Precipitation61.5 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: Fulton 3 W, MS (7 mi away); precipitation: Fulton 3 W, MS (7 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 8a.

Plantersville, MS · 8 mi

Nettleton, MS · 13 mi

Mississippi planting zones →

Questions about 38857

What planting zone is ZIP code 38857?

ZIP code 38857 (Mooreville, 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 Mooreville, MS?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 38857 is April 1; after April 16 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Fulton 3 W station.

When is the first frost in Mooreville, MS?

The median first fall frost near 38857 is October 31, giving a median frost-free growing season of 212 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 38857?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Feb 4 – Feb 18 and set transplants outside around Apr 8 – Apr 22, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 38857 get?

About 61.5 inches of precipitation a year and 2 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Fulton 3 W station).

How hot do summers get in Mooreville, MS?

The average high peaks at 89 °F in July, with about 56 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 38857 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Mantachie at the center of ZIP 38857: fine sandy loam, somewhat poorly drained, pH about 5.0 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Mooreville, MS in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 38857 came on Feb 16 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 Mooreville, MS?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 38857 is 14 h 27 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 38857 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 38857 in zone 7b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 8a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.