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

Planting zone for 38921 — Charleston, MS

ZIP code 38921 (Charleston, Tallahatchie County) is in USDA zone 8a: the coldest winter night averages 10 to 15 °F. The median last spring frost is March 7 and the first fall frost November 17.

Where ZIP 38921 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 7

First frostNov 17

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 Charleston, 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 Charleston, MS

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMarch 7median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMarch 27only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostNovember 17median — 10% chance by Nov 1

Growing season254 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around February 23 and returns around December 4.

From the NOAA station Minter City, MS — 16 miles away, elevation 144 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 38921

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Jan 24 – Feb 7

SpinachSow outdoors · Jan 24 – Feb 14

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Dec 27 – Jan 10

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Feb 14 – Feb 28

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Feb 7 – Feb 21

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Feb 14 – Feb 28

LettuceSow outdoors · Feb 7 – Feb 21

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Feb 14 – Feb 28

TomatoesStart indoors · Jan 10 – Jan 24

TomatoesTransplant · Mar 14 – Mar 28

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Dec 27 – Jan 10

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Mar 21 – Apr 4

BeansSow outdoors · Mar 14 – Mar 28

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Mar 14 – Mar 28

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Mar 14 – Mar 28

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 22 – Oct 6

GarlicPlant cloves · Nov 3 – Dec 8

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Mar 7) and first fall frost (Nov 17) 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 38921 came on Feb 14 — about the same time as the 1991–2020 average (Feb 12).

average
Feb 122026
Feb 14

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 Charleston, MS.

Soil in Charleston, MS

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 38921 is Calhoun — silt loam, poorly drained.

TextureSilt loama good balance for most vegetables

pH4.8strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainagePoorly drainedconsider raised beds

Organic matter2.25%moderate

Hydrologic groupC/Dslow when drained; wet otherwise

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Calhoun-Bonn complex.

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 38921; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Charleston, MS

Summer high92 °Faverage high, July

Winter low36 °Faverage low, January

Hot days69days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights46nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days6,022base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 25 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 53 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation57.8 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: Minter City, MS (16 mi away); precipitation: Charleston 3.5 Sw, MS (3 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.

Mississippi planting zones →

Questions about 38921

What planting zone is ZIP code 38921?

ZIP code 38921 (Charleston, 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 Charleston, MS?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 38921 is March 7; after March 27 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Minter City station.

When is the first frost in Charleston, MS?

The median first fall frost near 38921 is November 17, giving a median frost-free growing season of 254 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 38921?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Jan 10 – Jan 24 and set transplants outside around Mar 14 – Mar 28, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 38921 get?

About 57.8 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Charleston 3.5 Sw station).

How hot do summers get in Charleston, MS?

The average high peaks at 92 °F in July, with about 69 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 38921 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Calhoun at the center of ZIP 38921: silt loam, poorly drained, pH about 4.8 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Charleston, MS in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 38921 came on Feb 14 in 2026, about the same as the 1991–2020 average (Feb 12), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Charleston, MS?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 38921 is 14 h 25 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.