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

Planting zone for 39736 — Artesia, MS

ZIP code 39736 (Artesia, Lowndes County) is in USDA zone 8a: the coldest winter night averages 10 to 15 °F. The median last spring frost is March 23 and the first fall frost November 8.

Where ZIP 39736 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.

Zone8a10 to 15 °F

Coldest night−12.2 to −9.4 °C

Last frostMar 23

First frostNov 8

2012 zone8a

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 8a means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Artesia, 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 Artesia, MS

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMarch 23median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsApril 13only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostNovember 8median — 10% chance by Oct 27

Growing season233 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 7 and returns around November 22.

From the NOAA station State Univ, MS — 9 miles away, elevation 184 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 39736

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Feb 9 – Feb 23

SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 9 – Mar 2

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 12 – Jan 26

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Mar 2 – Mar 16

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Feb 23 – Mar 9

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Mar 2 – Mar 16

LettuceSow outdoors · Feb 23 – Mar 9

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Mar 2 – Mar 16

TomatoesStart indoors · Jan 26 – Feb 9

TomatoesTransplant · Mar 30 – Apr 13

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 12 – Jan 26

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 6 – Apr 20

BeansSow outdoors · Mar 30 – Apr 13

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Mar 30 – Apr 13

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Mar 30 – Apr 13

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 13 – Sep 27

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 25 – Nov 29

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Mar 23) and first fall frost (Nov 8) 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 39736 came on Feb 12 — 3 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 9).

average
Feb 92026
Feb 12

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 8a in Mississippi

508 plants native to the lower 48 states, recorded in Mississippi, and rated by the USDA to survive 10 °F or colder — the bottom of zone 8a. 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 Artesia, MS.

Soil in Artesia, MS

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 39736 is Griffith — silty clay, moderately well drained.

TextureSilty clayholds water and nutrients; slow to drain and warm up

pH7.5slightly alkaline; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageModerately well drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter3.5%moderate

Hydrologic groupDwater soaks in very slowly

Farmland classPrime farmland if drained and either protected from flooding or not frequently flooded during the growing seasonUSDA classification

Map unit: Griffith silty clay, 0 to 2 percent slopes, occasionally flooded.

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 39736; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Artesia, MS

Summer high92 °Faverage high, July

Winter low33 °Faverage low, January

Hot days78days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights58nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days5,710base 50 °F — the season’s usable heat

Longest day14 h 22 mindaylight on June 21

Shortest day9 h 56 mindaylight on December 21

Onions to growIntermediateday-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully

Precipitation57.5 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: State Univ, MS (9 mi away); precipitation: Tibbee, MS (8 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

3 of the 8 nearest ZIP codes are in a different zone — elevation and distance from water change winter lows quickly.

Mississippi State, MS · 9 mi

397598a

Starkville, MS · 11 mi

397608a

Starkville, MS · 11 mi

397398b

Brooksville, MS · 13 mi

397738a

West Point, MS · 16 mi

Mississippi planting zones →

Questions about 39736

What planting zone is ZIP code 39736?

ZIP code 39736 (Artesia, MS) is in USDA hardiness zone 8a on the 2023 map: the coldest night of an average winter reaches 10 to 15 °F (−12.2 to −9.4 °C).

When is the last frost in Artesia, MS?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 39736 is March 23; after April 13 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, State Univ station.

When is the first frost in Artesia, MS?

The median first fall frost near 39736 is November 8, giving a median frost-free growing season of 233 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 39736?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Jan 26 – Feb 9 and set transplants outside around Mar 30 – Apr 13, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 39736 get?

About 57.5 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Tibbee station).

How hot do summers get in Artesia, MS?

The average high peaks at 92 °F in July, with about 78 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 39736 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Griffith at the center of ZIP 39736: silty clay, moderately well drained, pH about 7.5 (slightly alkaline).

Did spring come early in Artesia, MS in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 39736 came on Feb 12 in 2026, 3 days later than the 1991–2020 average (Feb 9), according to the USA National Phenology Network Spring Index.

What kind of onions grow in Artesia, MS?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 39736 is 14 h 22 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.