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

Planting zone for 39303 — Meridian, MS

ZIP code 39303 (Meridian, Lauderdale County) is in USDA zone 8b: the coldest winter night averages 15 to 20 °F. The median last spring frost is March 16 and the first fall frost November 12.

Where ZIP 39303 is

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 16

First frostNov 12

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 Meridian, 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 Meridian, MS

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMarch 16median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsApril 3only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostNovember 12median — 10% chance by Oct 29

Growing season239 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around February 28 and returns around November 27.

From the NOAA station Meridian Key Field, MS — 7 miles away, elevation 295 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 39303

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Feb 2 – Feb 16

SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 2 – Feb 23

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 5 – Jan 19

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Feb 23 – Mar 9

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Feb 16 – Mar 2

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Feb 23 – Mar 9

LettuceSow outdoors · Feb 16 – Mar 2

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Feb 23 – Mar 9

TomatoesStart indoors · Jan 19 – Feb 2

TomatoesTransplant · Mar 23 – Apr 6

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 5 – Jan 19

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Mar 30 – Apr 13

BeansSow outdoors · Mar 23 – Apr 6

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Mar 23 – Apr 6

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Mar 23 – Apr 6

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 17 – Oct 1

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 29 – Dec 3

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Mar 16) and first fall frost (Nov 12) 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 39303 came on Feb 10 — 7 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 3).

average
Feb 32026
Feb 10

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 Meridian, MS.

Soil in Meridian, MS

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 39303 is Quitman — loam, somewhat poorly drained.

TextureLoama good balance for most vegetables

pH5.5moderately acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageSomewhat poorly drainedconsider raised beds

Organic matter2%moderate

Hydrologic groupC/Dslow when drained; wet otherwise

Farmland classprime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Quitman loam, 0 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 39303; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Meridian, MS

Summer high93 °Faverage high, July

Winter low36 °Faverage low, January

Hot days86days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights48nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days6,279base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 17 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day10 h 01 mindaylight on December 21

Onions to growShort-daysummer days stay under about 14 h 20 min, so long-day varieties won’t bulb

Precipitation60.4 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: Meridian Key Field, MS (7 mi away); precipitation: Topton 2, MS (6 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 8b.

All 7 ZIP codes in Meridian → · Mississippi planting zones →

Questions about 39303

What planting zone is ZIP code 39303?

ZIP code 39303 (Meridian, 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 Meridian, MS?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 39303 is March 16; after April 3 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Meridian Key Field station.

When is the first frost in Meridian, MS?

The median first fall frost near 39303 is November 12, giving a median frost-free growing season of 239 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 39303?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Jan 19 – Feb 2 and set transplants outside around Mar 23 – Apr 6, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 39303 get?

About 60.4 inches of precipitation a year and 1 inches of snowfall (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Topton 2 station).

How hot do summers get in Meridian, MS?

The average high peaks at 93 °F in July, with about 86 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 39303 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Quitman at the center of ZIP 39303: loam, somewhat poorly drained, pH about 5.5 (moderately acidic).

Did spring come early in Meridian, MS in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 39303 came on Feb 10 in 2026, 7 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 3), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Meridian, MS?

Short-day onions: the longest day near 39303 is 14 h 17 min, so summer days stay under about 14 h 20 min, so long-day varieties won’t bulb.

Did the zone for 39303 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 39303 in zone 8a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 8b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.