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

Planting zone for 39463 — Nicholson, MS

ZIP code 39463 (Nicholson, Pearl River County) is in USDA zone 9a: the coldest winter night averages 20 to 25 °F. The median last spring frost is March 9 and the first fall frost November 18.

Where ZIP 39463 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.

Zone9a20 to 25 °F

Coldest night−6.7 to −3.9 °C

Last frostMar 9

First frostNov 18

2012 zone8b

Was 8b 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 9a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Nicholson, 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 Nicholson, MS

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMarch 9median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMarch 31only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostNovember 18median — 10% chance by Nov 3

Growing season255 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around February 24 and returns around December 3.

From the NOAA station Picayune, MS — 9 miles away, elevation 66 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 39463

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Jan 26 – Feb 9

SpinachSow outdoors · Jan 26 – Feb 16

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Dec 29 – Jan 12

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Feb 16 – Mar 2

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Feb 9 – Feb 23

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Feb 16 – Mar 2

LettuceSow outdoors · Feb 9 – Feb 23

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Feb 16 – Mar 2

TomatoesStart indoors · Jan 12 – Jan 26

TomatoesTransplant · Mar 16 – Mar 30

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Dec 29 – Jan 12

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Mar 23 – Apr 6

BeansSow outdoors · Mar 16 – Mar 30

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Mar 16 – Mar 30

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Mar 16 – Mar 30

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 23 – Oct 7

GarlicPlant cloves · Nov 4 – Dec 9

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Mar 9) and first fall frost (Nov 18) 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 39463 came on Jan 11 — 15 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Jan 26).

average
Jan 262026
Jan 11

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 9a in Mississippi

541 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in Mississippi, and rated by the USDA to survive 20 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 9a. 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 Nicholson, MS.

Soil in Nicholson, MS

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 39463 is Poarch — loam, well drained.

TextureLoama good balance for most vegetables

pH5.0strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter0.75%low — add compost

Hydrologic groupCwater soaks in slowly

Farmland classprime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Poarch loam, 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 39463; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Nicholson, MS

Summer high92 °Faverage high, July

Winter low38 °Faverage low, January

Hot days71days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights31nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days6,325base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 07 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day10 h 10 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation65.4 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: Picayune, MS (9 mi away); precipitation: Picayune 5.6 Ene, MS (2 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 9a.

Bay Saint Louis, MS · 12 mi

395229a

Stennis Space Center, MS · 12 mi

395299a

Stennis Space Center, MS · 13 mi

704529a

Pearl River, LA · 16 mi

Mississippi planting zones →

Questions about 39463

What planting zone is ZIP code 39463?

ZIP code 39463 (Nicholson, MS) is in USDA hardiness zone 9a on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches 20 to 25 °F (−6.7 to −3.9 °C).

When is the last frost in Nicholson, MS?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 39463 is March 9; after March 31 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Picayune station.

When is the first frost in Nicholson, MS?

The median first fall frost near 39463 is November 18, giving a median frost-free growing season of 255 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 39463?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Jan 12 – Jan 26 and set transplants outside around Mar 16 – Mar 30, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 39463 get?

About 65.4 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Picayune 5.6 Ene station).

How hot do summers get in Nicholson, MS?

The average high peaks at 92 °F in July, with about 71 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 39463 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Poarch at the center of ZIP 39463: loam, well drained, pH about 5.0 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Nicholson, MS in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 39463 came on Jan 11 in 2026, 15 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Jan 26), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Nicholson, MS?

Short-day onions: the longest day near 39463 is 14 h 07 min, so summer days stay under about 14 h 20 min, so long-day varieties won’t bulb.

Did the zone for 39463 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 39463 in zone 8b; the 2023 map puts it in zone 9a. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.