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

Planting zone for 39406 — Hattiesburg, MS

ZIP code 39406 (Hattiesburg, Forrest County) is in USDA zone 8b: the coldest winter night averages 15 to 20 °F. The median last spring frost is March 7 and the first fall frost November 23.

Where ZIP 39406 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 7

First frostNov 23

2012 zone8b

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 8b means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Hattiesburg, 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 Hattiesburg, MS

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMarch 7median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMarch 26only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostNovember 23median — 10% chance by Nov 5

Growing season261 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around February 20 and returns around December 4.

From the NOAA station Hattiesburg 5sw, MS — 5 miles away, elevation 384 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 39406

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Jan 24 – Feb 7

SpinachSow outdoors · Jan 24 – Feb 14

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Dec 27 – Jan 10

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Feb 14 – Feb 28

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Feb 7 – Feb 21

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Feb 14 – Feb 28

LettuceSow outdoors · Feb 7 – Feb 21

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Feb 14 – Feb 28

TomatoesStart indoors · Jan 10 – Jan 24

TomatoesTransplant · Mar 14 – Mar 28

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Dec 27 – Jan 10

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Mar 21 – Apr 4

BeansSow outdoors · Mar 14 – Mar 28

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Mar 14 – Mar 28

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Mar 14 – Mar 28

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 28 – Oct 12

GarlicPlant cloves · Nov 9 – Dec 14

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Mar 7) and first fall frost (Nov 23) 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 39406 came on Jan 16 — 14 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Jan 30).

average
Jan 302026
Jan 16

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 Hattiesburg, MS.

Soil in Hattiesburg, MS

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 39406 is Falkner — silt loam, somewhat poorly drained.

TextureSilt loama good balance for most vegetables

pH5.3strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageSomewhat poorly drainedconsider raised beds

Organic matter1.75%low — add compost

Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly

Farmland classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Falkner-Susquehanna-Urban land complex, 2 to 5 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 39406; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Hattiesburg, MS

Summer high91 °Faverage high, July

Winter low38 °Faverage low, January

Hot days85days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights32nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days6,381base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 11 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day10 h 06 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation61.6 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: Hattiesburg 5sw, MS (5 mi away); precipitation: Hattiesburg 3sw, MS (2 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 8b.

394038b

Hattiesburg, MS · 3 mi

394028b

Hattiesburg, MS · 5 mi

394018b

Hattiesburg, MS · 8 mi

394658b

Petal, MS · 9 mi

394368b

Eastabuchie, MS · 9 mi

394048b

Hattiesburg, MS · 11 mi

394078b

Hattiesburg, MS · 11 mi

394598b

Moselle, MS · 11 mi

All 6 ZIP codes in Hattiesburg → · Mississippi planting zones →

Questions about 39406

What planting zone is ZIP code 39406?

ZIP code 39406 (Hattiesburg, 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 Hattiesburg, MS?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 39406 is March 7; after March 26 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Hattiesburg 5sw station.

When is the first frost in Hattiesburg, MS?

The median first fall frost near 39406 is November 23, giving a median frost-free growing season of 261 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 39406?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Jan 10 – Jan 24 and set transplants outside around Mar 14 – Mar 28, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 39406 get?

About 61.6 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Hattiesburg 3sw station).

How hot do summers get in Hattiesburg, MS?

The average high peaks at 91 °F in July, with about 85 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 39406 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Falkner at the center of ZIP 39406: silt loam, somewhat poorly drained, pH about 5.3 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Hattiesburg, MS in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 39406 came on Jan 16 in 2026, 14 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Jan 30), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Hattiesburg, MS?

Short-day onions: the longest day near 39406 is 14 h 11 min, so summer days stay under about 14 h 20 min, so long-day varieties won’t bulb.