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

Planting zone for 38941 — Itta Bena, MS

ZIP code 38941 (Itta Bena, Leflore County) is in USDA zone 8b: the coldest winter night averages 15 to 20 °F. The median last spring frost is March 8 and the first fall frost November 20.

Where ZIP 38941 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.

Zone8b15 to 20 °F

Coldest night−9.4 to −6.7 °C

Last frostMar 8

First frostNov 20

2012 zone8a

Was 8a 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 8b means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Itta Bena, 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 Itta Bena, MS

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMarch 8median — 50% chance of a later frost

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

First fall frostNovember 20median — 10% chance by Nov 4

Growing season255 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around February 25 and returns around December 3.

From the NOAA station Moorhead, MS — 9 miles away, elevation 118 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 38941

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Jan 25 – Feb 8

SpinachSow outdoors · Jan 25 – Feb 15

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Dec 28 – Jan 11

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Feb 15 – Mar 1

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Feb 8 – Feb 22

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Feb 15 – Mar 1

LettuceSow outdoors · Feb 8 – Feb 22

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Feb 15 – Mar 1

TomatoesStart indoors · Jan 11 – Jan 25

TomatoesTransplant · Mar 15 – Mar 29

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Dec 28 – Jan 11

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Mar 22 – Apr 5

BeansSow outdoors · Mar 15 – Mar 29

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Mar 15 – Mar 29

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Mar 15 – Mar 29

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 25 – Oct 9

GarlicPlant cloves · Nov 6 – Dec 11

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Mar 8) and first fall frost (Nov 20) 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 38941 came on Feb 12 — 4 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 8).

average
Feb 82026
Feb 12

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 8b in Mississippi

526 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in Mississippi, and rated by the USDA to survive 15 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 8b. 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 Itta Bena, MS.

Soil in Itta Bena, MS

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 38941 is Alligator — clay, poorly drained.

TextureClayholds water and nutrients; slow to drain and warm up

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

DrainagePoorly drainedconsider raised beds

Organic matter2.5%moderate

Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Alligator clay, 0 to 1 percent slopes.

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 38941; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Itta Bena, MS

Summer high91 °Faverage high, July

Winter low35 °Faverage low, January

Hot days73days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights35nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days5,947base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 22 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 56 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation55.8 inper year, rain and melted snow

Snowfall1 inper year

Average high and low, by month

Precipitation by month inches · ❄ = snowfall

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Moorhead, MS (9 mi away); precipitation: Moorhead, MS (9 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 8b.

389598b

Swiftown, MS · 7 mi

389468b

Morgan City, MS · 7 mi

Sunflower, MS · 10 mi

389358b

Greenwood, MS · 11 mi

389308b

Greenwood, MS · 13 mi

Mississippi planting zones →

Questions about 38941

What planting zone is ZIP code 38941?

ZIP code 38941 (Itta Bena, MS) is in USDA hardiness zone 8b on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches 15 to 20 °F (−9.4 to −6.7 °C).

When is the last frost in Itta Bena, MS?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 38941 is March 8; after March 27 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Moorhead station.

When is the first frost in Itta Bena, MS?

The median first fall frost near 38941 is November 20, giving a median frost-free growing season of 255 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 38941?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Jan 11 – Jan 25 and set transplants outside around Mar 15 – Mar 29, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 38941 get?

About 55.8 inches of precipitation a year and 1 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Moorhead station).

How hot do summers get in Itta Bena, MS?

The average high peaks at 91 °F in July, with about 73 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 38941 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Alligator at the center of ZIP 38941: clay, poorly drained, pH about 5.0 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Itta Bena, MS in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 38941 came on Feb 12 in 2026, 4 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 8), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Itta Bena, MS?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 38941 is 14 h 22 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 38941 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 38941 in zone 8a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 8b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.