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

Planting zone for 38947 — North Carrollton, MS

ZIP code 38947 (North Carrollton, Carroll County) is in USDA zone 8a: the coldest winter night averages 10 to 15 °F. The median last spring frost is March 17 and the first fall frost November 5.

Where ZIP 38947 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 17
First frostNov 5
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 North Carrollton, 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 North Carrollton, MS

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMarch 17median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsApril 5only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostNovember 5median — 10% chance by Oct 23
Growing season231 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 3 and returns around November 18.

From the NOAA station Greenwood Leflore Airport, MS — 10 miles away, elevation 135 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 38947

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Feb 3 – Feb 17
SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 3 – Feb 24
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 6 – Jan 20
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Feb 24 – Mar 10
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Feb 17 – Mar 3
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Feb 24 – Mar 10
LettuceSow outdoors · Feb 17 – Mar 3
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Feb 24 – Mar 10
TomatoesStart indoors · Jan 20 – Feb 3
TomatoesTransplant · Mar 24 – Apr 7
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 6 – Jan 20
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Mar 31 – Apr 14
BeansSow outdoors · Mar 24 – Apr 7
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Mar 24 – Apr 7
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Mar 24 – Apr 7
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 10 – Sep 24
GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 22 – Nov 26
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Mar 17) and first fall frost (Nov 5) 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 38947 came on Feb 13 — 4 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 9).

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.

Trees 79

American basswood100 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −46 °FAmerican beech80 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −44 °FAmerican chestnut115 ft · blooms early summer · high shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican elm120 ft · blooms early spring · medium shade tolerance · to −46 °FAmerican sycamore100 ft · blooms spring · medium shade tolerance · to −34 °FAtlantic white cedar50 ft · blooms spring · medium shade tolerance · to −36 °F

Shrubs 110

aloe yucca15 ft · blooms early summer · medium shade tolerance · to −1 °Falternateleaf dogwood25 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −47 °FAmerican beautyberry6 ft · blooms early summer · medium shade tolerance · to −8 °FAmerican hazelnut10 ft · blooms spring · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican holly40 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −20 °FAmerican hornbeam30 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −34 °F

Wildflowers & perennials 160

American bur-reed3 ft · blooms indeterminate · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican eelgrass1 ft · blooms mid summer · high shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican lotus3 ft · blooms mid summer · high shade tolerance · to −36 °FAmerican pokeweed7 ft · blooms mid summer · low shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican spongeplant0.5 ft · blooms mid spring · high shade tolerance · to −24 °FAmerican water horehound1.8 ft · blooms early summer · low shade tolerance · to −38 °F

Grasses 139

American cupscale3 ft · blooms early summer · high shade tolerance · to −18 °Fautumn bluegrass1.5 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −8 °Fawlfruit sedge4 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °Fbig bluestem6 ft · blooms summer · high shade tolerance · to −46 °Fbig cordgrass8 ft · blooms spring · high shade tolerance · to −3 °Fbitter panicgrass5 ft · blooms mid summer · high shade tolerance · to −18 °F

Vines 13

American bittersweet15 ft · blooms spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °FAmerican wisteria50 ft · blooms spring · low shade tolerance · to −3 °Fcatbird grape30 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −13 °Fcupseed30 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −3 °Fdevil's darning needles15 ft · blooms mid summer · medium shade tolerance · to −38 °Ffrost grape83 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −23 °F

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 North Carrollton, MS.

Soil in North Carrollton, MS

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 38947 is Oaklimeter — silt loam, moderately well drained.

TextureSilt loama good balance for most vegetables
pH5.1strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageModerately well drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter1.25%low — add compost
Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly
Farmland classPrime farmland if protected from flooding or not frequently flooded during the growing seasonUSDA classification

Map unit: Oaklimeter silt loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes, occasionally flooded, north.

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 38947; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in North Carrollton, MS

Summer high92 °Faverage high, July
Winter low35 °Faverage low, January
Hot days85days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights49nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days5,840base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day14 h 23 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
Precipitation51.8 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

20°30°40°50°60°70°80°90°100°32 °FJanuary: average high 54 °F, low 35 °F 54°35° JanFebruary: average high 59 °F, low 38 °F 59°38° FebMarch: average high 67 °F, low 45 °F 67°45° MarApril: average high 75 °F, low 53 °F 75°53° AprMay: average high 83 °F, low 62 °F 83°62° MayJune: average high 89 °F, low 69 °F 89°69° JunJuly: average high 92 °F, low 72 °F 92°72° JulAugust: average high 92 °F, low 70 °F 92°70° AugSeptember: average high 87 °F, low 64 °F 87°64° SepOctober: average high 77 °F, low 52 °F 77°52° OctNovember: average high 66 °F, low 42 °F 66°42° NovDecember: average high 57 °F, low 37 °F 57°37° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″1″2″3″4″5″6″January: 4.52 in precipitation 4.5 JanFebruary: 5.04 in precipitation 5.0 FebMarch: 4.76 in precipitation 4.8 MarApril: 5.82 in precipitation 5.8 AprMay: 4.44 in precipitation 4.4 MayJune: 3.74 in precipitation 3.7 JunJuly: 3.82 in precipitation 3.8 JulAugust: 3.21 in precipitation 3.2 AugSeptember: 3.83 in precipitation 3.8 SepOctober: 3.41 in precipitation 3.4 OctNovember: 3.86 in precipitation 3.9 NovDecember: 5.33 in precipitation 5.3 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Greenwood Leflore Airport, MS (10 mi away); precipitation: Greenwood Leflore Airport, MS (10 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

2 of the 8 nearest ZIP codes are in a different zone — elevation and distance from water change winter lows quickly.

389178a
Carrollton, MS · 4 mi
389438a
Mc Carley, MS · 5 mi
389238a
Coila, MS · 10 mi
389678a
Winona, MS · 12 mi
389308b
Greenwood, MS · 13 mi
389358b
Greenwood, MS · 15 mi
389268a
Elliott, MS · 15 mi
389408a
Holcomb, MS · 17 mi

Mississippi planting zones →

Questions about 38947

What planting zone is ZIP code 38947?

ZIP code 38947 (North Carrollton, 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 North Carrollton, MS?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 38947 is March 17; after April 5 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Greenwood Leflore Airport station.

When is the first frost in North Carrollton, MS?

The median first fall frost near 38947 is November 5, giving a median frost-free growing season of 231 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 38947?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Jan 20 – Feb 3 and set transplants outside around Mar 24 – Apr 7, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 38947 get?

About 51.8 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Greenwood Leflore Airport station).

How hot do summers get in North Carrollton, MS?

The average high peaks at 92 °F in July, with about 85 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 38947 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Oaklimeter at the center of ZIP 38947: silt loam, moderately well drained, pH about 5.1 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in North Carrollton, MS in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 38947 came on Feb 13 in 2026, 4 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 9), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in North Carrollton, MS?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 38947 is 14 h 23 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.