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

Planting zone for 38957 — Sumner, MS

ZIP code 38957 (Sumner, Tallahatchie County) is in USDA zone 8b: the coldest winter night averages 15 to 20 °F. The median last spring frost is March 17 and the first fall frost November 7.

Where ZIP 38957 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 17

First frostNov 7

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 Sumner, 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 Sumner, 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 7median — 10% chance by Oct 22

Growing season233 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 5 and returns around November 20.

From the NOAA station Lambert 1w, MS — 16 miles away, elevation 154 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 38957

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 12 – Sep 26

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 24 – Nov 28

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Mar 17) and first fall frost (Nov 7) 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 38957 came on Feb 14 — 3 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 11).

average
Feb 112026
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 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 Sumner, MS.

Soil in Sumner, MS

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 38957 is Dundee — silt loam, somewhat poorly drained.

TextureSilt loama good balance for most vegetables

pH5.8moderately acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageSomewhat poorly drainedconsider raised beds

Organic matter0.53%low — add compost

Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly

Farmland classprime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Dundee silt loam, 0 to 2 percent slopes, rarely 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 38957; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Sumner, MS

Summer high92 °Faverage high, July

Winter low32 °Faverage low, January

Hot days86days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights59nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days5,534base 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

Precipitation56.7 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: Lambert 1w, MS (16 mi away); precipitation: Lambert 1w, MS (16 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 8b.

Mississippi planting zones →

Questions about 38957

What planting zone is ZIP code 38957?

ZIP code 38957 (Sumner, 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 Sumner, MS?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 38957 is March 17; after April 5 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Lambert 1w station.

When is the first frost in Sumner, MS?

The median first fall frost near 38957 is November 7, giving a median frost-free growing season of 233 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 38957?

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 38957 get?

About 56.7 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Lambert 1w station).

How hot do summers get in Sumner, MS?

The average high peaks at 92 °F in July, with about 86 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 38957 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Dundee at the center of ZIP 38957: silt loam, somewhat poorly drained, pH about 5.8 (moderately acidic).

Did spring come early in Sumner, MS in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 38957 came on Feb 14 in 2026, 3 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 11), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Sumner, MS?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 38957 is 14 h 25 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 38957 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 38957 in zone 8a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 8b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.