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

Planting zone for 39061 — Delta City, MS

ZIP code 39061 (Delta City, Sharkey County) is in USDA zone 8b: the coldest winter night averages 15 to 20 °F. The median last spring frost is March 5 and the first fall frost November 20.

Where ZIP 39061 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 5
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 Delta City, 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 Delta City, MS

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostMarch 5median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMarch 22only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostNovember 20median — 10% chance by Nov 3
Growing season261 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around February 21 and returns around December 5.

From the NOAA station Rolling Fork, MS — 14 miles away, elevation 105 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 39061

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Jan 22 – Feb 5
SpinachSow outdoors · Jan 22 – Feb 12
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Dec 25 – Jan 8
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Feb 12 – Feb 26
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Feb 5 – Feb 19
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Feb 12 – Feb 26
LettuceSow outdoors · Feb 5 – Feb 19
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Feb 12 – Feb 26
TomatoesStart indoors · Jan 8 – Jan 22
TomatoesTransplant · Mar 12 – Mar 26
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Dec 25 – Jan 8
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Mar 19 – Apr 2
BeansSow outdoors · Mar 12 – Mar 26
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Mar 12 – Mar 26
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Mar 12 – Mar 26
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 5) 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 39061 came on Feb 11 — 5 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 6).

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.

Trees 79

Shrubs 115

Wildflowers & perennials 165

Grasses 147

Vines 13

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 Delta City, MS.

Soil in Delta City, MS

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 39061 is Sharkey — clay, poorly drained.

TextureClayholds water and nutrients; slow to drain and warm up
pH6.8neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainagePoorly drainedconsider raised beds
Organic matter2.25%moderate
Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly
Farmland classprime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Sharkey clay, 1 to 2 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 39061; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Delta City, MS

Summer high93 °Faverage high, July
Winter low37 °Faverage low, January
Hot days97days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights42nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days6,365base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat
Longest day14 h 20 mindaylight on June 21
Shortest day9 h 58 mindaylight on December 21
Onions to growIntermediateday-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully
Precipitation55.3 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

30°40°50°60°70°80°90°100°32 °FJanuary: average high 55 °F, low 37 °F 55°37° JanFebruary: average high 60 °F, low 40 °F 60°40° FebMarch: average high 68 °F, low 47 °F 68°47° MarApril: average high 77 °F, low 55 °F 77°55° AprMay: average high 84 °F, low 64 °F 84°64° MayJune: average high 91 °F, low 71 °F 91°71° JunJuly: average high 93 °F, low 74 °F 93°74° JulAugust: average high 93 °F, low 73 °F 93°73° AugSeptember: average high 89 °F, low 67 °F 89°67° SepOctober: average high 79 °F, low 55 °F 79°55° OctNovember: average high 67 °F, low 45 °F 67°45° NovDecember: average high 58 °F, low 39 °F 58°39° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″2″4″6″January: 5.10 in precipitation 5.1 JanFebruary: 5.23 in precipitation, 0.3 in snowfall 5.2 FebMarch: 4.90 in precipitation 4.9 MarApril: 6.13 in precipitation 6.1 AprMay: 5.02 in precipitation 5.0 MayJune: 3.91 in precipitation 3.9 JunJuly: 4.31 in precipitation 4.3 JulAugust: 3.21 in precipitation 3.2 AugSeptember: 3.41 in precipitation 3.4 SepOctober: 4.42 in precipitation 4.4 OctNovember: 4.19 in precipitation 4.2 NovDecember: 5.45 in precipitation 5.5 Dec

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Rolling Fork, MS (14 mi away); precipitation: Rolling Fork, MS (14 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 8b.

Mississippi planting zones →

Questions about 39061

What planting zone is ZIP code 39061?

ZIP code 39061 (Delta City, 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 Delta City, MS?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 39061 is March 5; after March 22 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Rolling Fork station.

When is the first frost in Delta City, MS?

The median first fall frost near 39061 is November 20, giving a median frost-free growing season of 261 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 39061?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Jan 8 – Jan 22 and set transplants outside around Mar 12 – Mar 26, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 39061 get?

About 55.3 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Rolling Fork station).

How hot do summers get in Delta City, MS?

The average high peaks at 93 °F in July, with about 97 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 39061 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Sharkey at the center of ZIP 39061: clay, poorly drained, pH about 6.8 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Delta City, MS in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 39061 came on Feb 11 in 2026, 5 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 6), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Delta City, MS?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 39061 is 14 h 20 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 39061 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 39061 in zone 8a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 8b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.