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

Planting zone for 39159 — Rolling Fork, MS

ZIP code 39159 (Rolling Fork, 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 39159 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 Rolling Fork, 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 Rolling Fork, 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 — 6 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 39159

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 39159 came on Feb 1 — 3 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 4).

average
Feb 42026
Feb 1

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 Rolling Fork, MS.

Soil in Rolling Fork, MS

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 39159 is Commerce — very fine sandy loam, somewhat poorly drained.

TextureVery fine sandy loamdrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding

pH6.3slightly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageSomewhat poorly drainedconsider raised beds

Organic matter0.7%low — add compost

Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately

Farmland classprime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Commerce very fine sandy 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 39159; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Rolling Fork, 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 19 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 59 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

Precipitation by month inches

NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 — temperature: Rolling Fork, MS (6 mi away); precipitation: Rolling Fork, MS (6 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 8b.

390548b

Cary, MS · 2 mi

390888b

Holly Bluff, MS · 11 mi

391138b

Mayersville, MS · 13 mi

Panther Burn, MS · 16 mi

391778b

Valley Park, MS · 16 mi

387448b

Glen Allan, MS · 16 mi

Mississippi planting zones →

Questions about 39159

What planting zone is ZIP code 39159?

ZIP code 39159 (Rolling Fork, 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 Rolling Fork, MS?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 39159 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 Rolling Fork, MS?

The median first fall frost near 39159 is November 20, giving a median frost-free growing season of 261 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 39159?

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 39159 get?

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

How hot do summers get in Rolling Fork, 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 39159 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Commerce at the center of ZIP 39159: very fine sandy loam, somewhat poorly drained, pH about 6.3 (slightly acidic).

Did spring come early in Rolling Fork, MS in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 39159 came on Feb 1 in 2026, 3 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 4), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Rolling Fork, MS?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 39159 is 14 h 19 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 39159 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 39159 in zone 8a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 8b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.