Canton, MS planting zone & frost dates

Canton is in USDA hardiness zone 8b. The last spring frost usually comes around March 22 and the first fall frost around November 6, for a growing season of about 230 days.

USDA hardiness zone8bavg. extreme winter low 15°F to 20°F

Average last spring frostMarch 2290% chance of no frost after April 9

Average first fall frostNovember 610% chance of frost by October 23

Growing season230 daysfrost-free days in an average year

Planting calendar for Canton

Dates are counted from the average last spring frost (March 22) using the typical timing recommended by U.S. extension services. Warm-season crops go out only after the danger of frost has passed and the soil has warmed.

Crop	When
Tomatoes	Start seeds indoors: Jan 25 – Feb 8 Transplant outdoors: Mar 29 – Apr 5
Peppers	Start seeds indoors: Jan 11 – Jan 25 Transplant outdoors: Apr 5 – Apr 12
Eggplant	Start seeds indoors: Jan 11 – Jan 25 Transplant outdoors: Apr 5 – Apr 12
Broccoli	Start seeds indoors: Jan 11 – Jan 25 Transplant outdoors: Feb 22 – Mar 8
Cabbage	Start seeds indoors: Jan 11 – Jan 25 Transplant outdoors: Feb 22 – Mar 8
Onions (sets)	Plant outdoors: Feb 22 – Mar 8
Peas	Sow outdoors: Feb 8 – Feb 22
Spinach	Sow outdoors: Feb 8 – Feb 22
Lettuce	Sow outdoors: Feb 22 – Mar 8
Carrots	Sow outdoors: Feb 22 – Mar 8
Potatoes	Plant outdoors: Feb 22 – Mar 8
Beans	Sow outdoors: Mar 29 – Apr 5
Sweet corn	Sow outdoors: Mar 29 – Apr 5
Cucumbers	Sow outdoors: Mar 29 – Apr 5
Squash & zucchini	Sow outdoors: Mar 29 – Apr 5
Basil	Start seeds indoors: Feb 8 – Feb 22 Transplant outdoors: Mar 29 – Apr 5

Fall garden: cool-season crops like lettuce, spinach and kale can be sown again around Sep 11 (8 weeks before the average first fall frost on Nov 6).

Useful for zone 8b gardens

Seed starting kit with dome — to start seeds indoors before the last frost
LED grow light for seedlings — stops leggy seedlings
Frost cloth / plant covers — for late spring and early fall frosts
Soil thermometer — warm-season crops need soil above 60°F

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Frost risk in detail

	90% chance	50% chance	10% chance
Last 32°F frost in spring is after	Feb 28	Mar 22	Apr 9
First 32°F frost in fall is before	Nov 25	Nov 6	Oct 23

How to read it: in spring there is a 10% chance of a frost after April 9, so that is a safe date for tender plants. In fall there is a 10% chance of frost before October 23. A hard freeze (28°F) usually ends around March 7.

Hardiness zone by ZIP code in Canton

39046 zone 8b

Nearby cities

Madison zone 8b, last frost Mar 14
Ridgeland zone 8b, last frost Mar 14
Brandon zone 8b, last frost Mar 14
Jackson zone 8b, last frost Mar 6
Pearl zone 8b, last frost Mar 14
Clinton zone 8b, last frost Mar 6
Yazoo City zone 8b, last frost Mar 4
Byram zone 8b, last frost Mar 6

All cities in Mississippi → · Other zone 8b cities →

Questions

What growing zone is Canton, MS?

Canton is in USDA Plant Hardiness Zone 8b (average extreme winter low 15°F to 20°F), according to the USDA 2023 map.

When is the last frost in Canton?

The average last spring frost (32°F) in Canton is March 22. There is still a 10% chance of frost until April 9.

When can I plant tomatoes in Canton?

Transplant tomatoes outdoors 1–2 weeks after the average last frost: around Mar 29 – Apr 5. Start seeds indoors 6–8 weeks before the last frost.

Frost dates: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station Canton 4N, MS (USC00221389), 6.5 km (4.0 mi) from the city center, elevation 76 m, based on 19 years of records. Hardiness zone: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map 2023 for the ZIP code nearest to the city center. Microclimates (valleys, hills, cities, coasts) can be warmer or colder: check the local forecast before planting. How we calculate the data.