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

Planting zone for 39503 — Gulfport, MS

ZIP code 39503 (Gulfport, Harrison County) is in USDA zone 9a: the coldest winter night averages 20 to 25 °F. The median last spring frost is February 23 and the first fall frost December 3.

Where ZIP 39503 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.

Zone9a20 to 25 °F
Coldest night−6.7 to −3.9 °C
Last frostFeb 23
First frostDec 3
2012 zone9a

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 9a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Gulfport, 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 Gulfport, MS

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Blue: frost possible · fading green: frost risk falling or rising (90% → 10%) · green: frost-free
Last spring frostFebruary 23median — 50% chance of a later frost
Safe for tender plantsMarch 16only 10% chance of frost after
First fall frostDecember 3median — 10% chance by Nov 12
Growing season287 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around February 1 and returns around December 31.

From the NOAA station Gulfport - Biloxi Airport, MS — 6 miles away, elevation 43 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 39503

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
PeasSow outdoors · Jan 12 – Jan 26
SpinachSow outdoors · Jan 12 – Feb 2
Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Dec 15 – Dec 29
Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Feb 2 – Feb 16
Onion setsPlant outdoors · Jan 26 – Feb 9
PotatoesPlant outdoors · Feb 2 – Feb 16
LettuceSow outdoors · Jan 26 – Feb 9
Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Feb 2 – Feb 16
TomatoesStart indoors · Dec 29 – Jan 12
TomatoesTransplant · Mar 2 – Mar 16
Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Dec 15 – Dec 29
Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Mar 9 – Mar 23
BeansSow outdoors · Mar 2 – Mar 16
Sweet cornSow outdoors · Mar 2 – Mar 16
Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Mar 2 – Mar 16
Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Oct 8 – Oct 22
GarlicPlant cloves · Nov 19 – Dec 24
Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Feb 23) and first fall frost (Dec 3) 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 39503 came on Jan 16 — 11 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Jan 27).

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.

Trees 80

American basswood100 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −46 °FAmerican beech80 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −44 °FAmerican chestnut115 ft · blooms early summer · high shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican elm120 ft · blooms early spring · medium shade tolerance · to −46 °FAmerican sycamore100 ft · blooms spring · medium shade tolerance · to −34 °FAtlantic white cedar50 ft · blooms spring · medium shade tolerance · to −36 °F

Shrubs 119

aloe yucca15 ft · blooms early summer · medium shade tolerance · to −1 °Falternateleaf dogwood25 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −47 °FAmerican beautyberry6 ft · blooms early summer · medium shade tolerance · to −8 °FAmerican hazelnut10 ft · blooms spring · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican holly40 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −20 °FAmerican hornbeam30 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −34 °F

Wildflowers & perennials 167

American bur-reed3 ft · blooms indeterminate · medium shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican eelgrass1 ft · blooms mid summer · high shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican lotus3 ft · blooms mid summer · high shade tolerance · to −36 °FAmerican pokeweed7 ft · blooms mid summer · low shade tolerance · to −33 °FAmerican spongeplant0.5 ft · blooms mid spring · high shade tolerance · to −24 °FAmerican water horehound1.8 ft · blooms early summer · low shade tolerance · to −38 °F

Grasses 153

American cupscale3 ft · blooms early summer · high shade tolerance · to −18 °Fautumn bluegrass1.5 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −8 °Fawlfruit sedge4 ft · blooms mid spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °Fbig bluestem6 ft · blooms summer · high shade tolerance · to −46 °Fbig cordgrass8 ft · blooms spring · high shade tolerance · to −3 °Fbighead rush3 ft · blooms early summer · low shade tolerance · to 12 °F

Vines 13

American bittersweet15 ft · blooms spring · low shade tolerance · to −38 °FAmerican wisteria50 ft · blooms spring · low shade tolerance · to −3 °Fcatbird grape30 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −13 °Fcupseed30 ft · blooms late spring · low shade tolerance · to −3 °Fdevil's darning needles15 ft · blooms mid summer · medium shade tolerance · to −38 °Ffrost grape83 ft · blooms late spring · medium shade tolerance · to −23 °F

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 Gulfport, MS.

Soil in Gulfport, MS

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 39503 is Poarch — fine sandy loam, well drained.

TextureFine sandy loamdrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding
pH4.9strongly acidic; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0
DrainageWell drainednatural drainage class
Organic matter1.5%low — add compost
Hydrologic groupBwater soaks in moderately
Farmland classprime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Poarch fine sandy 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 39503; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Gulfport, MS

Summer high91 °Faverage high, August
Winter low42 °Faverage low, January
Hot days69days a year at 90 °F or more
Freezing nights16nights a year at 32 °F or less
Growing degree days6,931base 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
Precipitation62.8 inper year, rain and melted snow

Average high and low, by month

30°40°50°60°70°80°90°100°32 °FJanuary: average high 61 °F, low 42 °F 61°42° JanFebruary: average high 65 °F, low 46 °F 65°46° FebMarch: average high 70 °F, low 52 °F 70°52° MarApril: average high 77 °F, low 58 °F 77°58° AprMay: average high 84 °F, low 66 °F 84°66° MayJune: average high 89 °F, low 73 °F 89°73° JunJuly: average high 90 °F, low 75 °F 90°75° JulAugust: average high 91 °F, low 75 °F 91°75° AugSeptember: average high 88 °F, low 71 °F 88°71° SepOctober: average high 80 °F, low 60 °F 80°60° OctNovember: average high 70 °F, low 49 °F 70°49° NovDecember: average high 64 °F, low 45 °F 64°45° Dec

Precipitation by month inches

0″2″4″6″8″January: 4.87 in precipitation 4.9 JanFebruary: 4.44 in precipitation 4.4 FebMarch: 5.22 in precipitation 5.2 MarApril: 5.51 in precipitation 5.5 AprMay: 4.74 in precipitation 4.7 MayJune: 6.89 in precipitation 6.9 JunJuly: 7.21 in precipitation 7.2 JulAugust: 6.53 in precipitation 6.5 AugSeptember: 5.18 in precipitation 5.2 SepOctober: 3.71 in precipitation 3.7 OctNovember: 4.03 in precipitation 4.0 NovDecember: 4.49 in precipitation 4.5 Dec

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

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 9a.

395029a
Gulfport, MS · 6 mi
395059a
Gulfport, MS · 6 mi
395069a
Gulfport, MS · 6 mi
395359a
Biloxi, MS · 6 mi
395019a
Gulfport, MS · 6 mi
395609a
Long Beach, MS · 7 mi
395079a
Gulfport, MS · 8 mi
395719a
Pass Christian, MS · 9 mi

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

Questions about 39503

What planting zone is ZIP code 39503?

ZIP code 39503 (Gulfport, 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 Gulfport, MS?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 39503 is February 23; after March 16 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Gulfport - Biloxi Airport station.

When is the first frost in Gulfport, MS?

The median first fall frost near 39503 is December 3, giving a median frost-free growing season of 287 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 39503?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Dec 29 – Jan 12 and set transplants outside around Mar 2 – Mar 16, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 39503 get?

About 62.8 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Gulfport - Biloxi Airport station).

How hot do summers get in Gulfport, MS?

The average high peaks at 91 °F in August, with about 69 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 39503 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Poarch at the center of ZIP 39503: fine sandy loam, well drained, pH about 4.9 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Gulfport, MS in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 39503 came on Jan 16 in 2026, 11 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Jan 27), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Gulfport, MS?

Short-day onions: the longest day near 39503 is 14 h 07 min, so summer days stay under about 14 h 20 min, so long-day varieties won’t bulb.