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

Planting zone for 39571 — Pass Christian, MS

ZIP code 39571 (Pass Christian, Harrison County) is in USDA zone 9a: the coldest winter night averages 20 to 25 °F. The median last spring frost is February 18 and the first fall frost December 14.

Where ZIP 39571 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 18

First frostDec 14

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 Pass Christian, 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 Pass Christian, MS

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostFebruary 18median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsMarch 14only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostDecember 14median — 10% chance by Nov 18

Growing season300 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around January 31 and returns around January 2.

From the NOAA station Gulfport Naval Center, MS — 9 miles away, elevation 36 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 39571

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Jan 7 – Jan 21

SpinachSow outdoors · Jan 7 – Jan 28

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Dec 10 – Dec 24

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Jan 28 – Feb 11

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Jan 21 – Feb 4

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Jan 28 – Feb 11

LettuceSow outdoors · Jan 21 – Feb 4

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Jan 28 – Feb 11

TomatoesStart indoors · Dec 24 – Jan 7

TomatoesTransplant · Feb 25 – Mar 11

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Dec 10 – Dec 24

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Mar 4 – Mar 18

BeansSow outdoors · Feb 25 – Mar 11

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Feb 25 – Mar 11

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Feb 25 – Mar 11

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Oct 19 – Nov 2

GarlicPlant cloves · Nov 30 – Jan 4

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Feb 18) and first fall frost (Dec 14) 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 39571 came on Jan 16 — 10 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Jan 26).

average
Jan 262026
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 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 Pass Christian, MS.

Soil in Pass Christian, MS

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 39571 is Poarch — fine sandy loam, well drained.

TextureFine sandy loamdrains and warms fast; dries out and needs more feeding

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 classNot prime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Poarch fine sandy loam, 5 to 12 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 39571; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Pass Christian, MS

Summer high90 °Faverage high, July

Winter low44 °Faverage low, January

Hot days44days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights13nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days6,918base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 07 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day10 h 11 mindaylight on December 21

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

Precipitation69.5 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: Gulfport Naval Center, MS (9 mi away); precipitation: Pass Christian 5.0 N, MS (2 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

All 8 nearest ZIP codes share zone 9a.

395259a

Diamondhead, MS · 6 mi

395609a

Long Beach, MS · 7 mi

Mississippi planting zones →

Questions about 39571

What planting zone is ZIP code 39571?

ZIP code 39571 (Pass Christian, 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 Pass Christian, MS?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 39571 is February 18; after March 14 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Gulfport Naval Center station.

When is the first frost in Pass Christian, MS?

The median first fall frost near 39571 is December 14, giving a median frost-free growing season of 300 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 39571?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Dec 24 – Jan 7 and set transplants outside around Feb 25 – Mar 11, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 39571 get?

About 69.5 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Pass Christian 5.0 N station).

How hot do summers get in Pass Christian, MS?

The average high peaks at 90 °F in July, with about 44 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 39571 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Poarch at the center of ZIP 39571: fine sandy loam, well drained, pH about 5.0 (strongly acidic).

Did spring come early in Pass Christian, MS in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 39571 came on Jan 16 in 2026, 10 days earlier than the 1991–2020 average (Jan 26), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Pass Christian, MS?

Short-day onions: the longest day near 39571 is 14 h 07 min, so summer days stay under about 14 h 20 min, so long-day varieties won’t bulb.