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

Planting zone for 39743 — Crawford, MS

ZIP code 39743 (Crawford, Lowndes County) is in USDA zone 8b: the coldest winter night averages 15 to 20 °F. The median last spring frost is March 21 and the first fall frost November 7.

Where ZIP 39743 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 21

First frostNov 7

2012 zone8a

Was 8a 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 8b means →

Frost forecast — next 7 nights

live from the National Weather Service

Loading the forecast for Crawford, 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 Crawford, MS

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

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

Last spring frostMarch 21median — 50% chance of a later frost

Safe for tender plantsApril 8only 10% chance of frost after

First fall frostNovember 7median — 10% chance by Oct 23

Growing season231 daysfrost-free, median

A hard freeze (28 °F) usually ends around March 5 and returns around November 20.

From the NOAA station Macon 3n, MS — 13 miles away, elevation 249 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 39743

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

PeasSow outdoors · Feb 7 – Feb 21

SpinachSow outdoors · Feb 7 – Feb 28

Broccoli, cabbageStart indoors · Jan 10 – Jan 24

Broccoli, cabbageTransplant · Feb 28 – Mar 14

Onion setsPlant outdoors · Feb 21 – Mar 7

PotatoesPlant outdoors · Feb 28 – Mar 14

LettuceSow outdoors · Feb 21 – Mar 7

Carrots, beetsSow outdoors · Feb 28 – Mar 14

TomatoesStart indoors · Jan 24 – Feb 7

TomatoesTransplant · Mar 28 – Apr 11

Peppers, eggplantStart indoors · Jan 10 – Jan 24

Peppers, eggplantTransplant · Apr 4 – Apr 18

BeansSow outdoors · Mar 28 – Apr 11

Sweet cornSow outdoors · Mar 28 – Apr 11

Cucumbers, squashSow outdoors · Mar 28 – Apr 11

Fall lettuce, spinachSow outdoors · Sep 12 – Sep 26

GarlicPlant cloves · Oct 24 – Nov 28

Start seeds indoorsSow or plant outdoorsFall plantingMedian last & first frost

Counted from the median last spring frost (Mar 21) and first fall frost (Nov 7) 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 39743 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 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 Crawford, MS.

Soil in Crawford, MS

The soil mapped at the center of ZIP 39743 is Catalpa — silty clay loam, moderately well drained.

TextureSilty clay loamholds water and nutrients; slow to drain and warm up

pH7.3neutral; most vegetables like 6.0–7.0

DrainageModerately well drainednatural drainage class

Organic matter3%moderate

Hydrologic groupC/Dslow when drained; wet otherwise

Farmland classprime farmlandUSDA classification

Map unit: Catalpa silty clay loam, 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 39743; soils change within a few hundred feet, so a home soil test (pH, nutrients) is still the best guide.

Climate in Crawford, MS

Summer high91 °Faverage high, August

Winter low33 °Faverage low, January

Hot days75days a year at 90 °F or more

Freezing nights58nights a year at 32 °F or less

Growing degree days5,420base 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

Precipitation57.9 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: Macon 3n, MS (13 mi away); precipitation: Crawford 5 W, MS (6 mi away). Daylight is calculated from latitude.

Nearby ZIP codes

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

397368a

Artesia, MS · 6 mi

397398b

Brooksville, MS · 7 mi

Mississippi State, MS · 13 mi

397598a

Starkville, MS · 14 mi

397608a

Starkville, MS · 15 mi

397028b

Columbus, MS · 17 mi

Mississippi planting zones →

Questions about 39743

What planting zone is ZIP code 39743?

ZIP code 39743 (Crawford, 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 Crawford, MS?

The median last spring frost (32 °F) near 39743 is March 21; after April 8 there is only a 10% chance of frost. Data: NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Macon 3n station.

When is the first frost in Crawford, MS?

The median first fall frost near 39743 is November 7, giving a median frost-free growing season of 231 days.

When should I plant tomatoes in 39743?

Start tomato seeds indoors around Jan 24 – Feb 7 and set transplants outside around Mar 28 – Apr 11, one to three weeks after the median last frost.

How much rain and snow does 39743 get?

About 57.9 inches of precipitation a year (NOAA 1991–2020 normals, Crawford 5 W station).

How hot do summers get in Crawford, MS?

The average high peaks at 91 °F in August, with about 75 days a year at 90 °F or more.

What kind of soil does 39743 have?

The USDA soil survey maps Catalpa at the center of ZIP 39743: silty clay loam, moderately well drained, pH about 7.3 (neutral).

Did spring come early in Crawford, MS in 2026?

Spring leaf-out near 39743 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 Crawford, MS?

Intermediate onions: the longest day near 39743 is 14 h 22 min, so day-neutral types bulb best; long-day varieties may not bulb fully.

Did the zone for 39743 change?

Yes. The 2012 USDA map put 39743 in zone 8a; the 2023 map puts it in zone 8b. The newer map uses 1991–2020 data and more weather stations.