When to plant in Petal, MS
USDA Zone 8bEverything below — frost dates, hardiness zone, and what to plant when in Petal, Mississippi — is derived from the closest NOAA station with complete climate normals.
With about 252 frost-free days, Petal supports back-to-back plantings; stagger sowings every few weeks to keep beds productive spring through fall. Zone 8b means many perennials and even some tender shrubs overwinter in Petal, while your frost dates still decide when annuals go out.
Frost probability
HATTIESBURG CHAIN MUNI AP · 1991–2020The date the last spring and first fall frost occur, by threshold and probability. A 90% date is later in spring — and earlier in fall — than a 10% date; the 50% · 32°F row is what most gardeners plan around. These are Petal’s own odds, recorded at HATTIESBURG CHAIN MUNI AP.
| Threshold | SPRING 10% | SPRING 50% | SPRING 90% | FALL 10% | FALL 50% | FALL 90% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36°F | Apr 13 | Mar 24 | Mar 3 | Oct 23 | Nov 4 | Nov 19 |
| 32°F | Mar 28 | Mar 8 | Feb 16 | Nov 1 | Nov 15 | Dec 4 |
| 28°F | Mar 15 | Feb 22 | Jan 26 | Nov 10 | Nov 30 | Jan 4 |
Download this table as CSV ↓ — every threshold and probability, plus this city’s planting-window dates.
What to plant now
TODAY · JULY 19Full-year planting calendar
Each bar is the exact window to take a planting action in Petal, drawn to the day from the local frost dates. The dashed line is today.
Nearby weather stations
3 within 33 km · complete 32°F normalsWhen stations disagree by more than a few days, that spread is real microclimate variation — elevation, water, urban heat. Judge which station best matches your own yard.
Petal planting FAQ
When is the last spring frost in Petal, MS?
Petal's average last spring frost falls near March 8 — the 50% mark at 32°F in the 1991–2020 normals. Hold tender transplants until the risk has passed, then plant out.
When is the first fall frost in Petal, MS?
The first fall frost in Petal typically arrives around November 15 (50% probability at 32°F). Harvest or protect frost-sensitive crops before then.
What hardiness zone is Petal in?
Petal is in USDA hardiness zone 8b. In zone 8b, winters are mild — many tender perennials overwinter here.
How long is the growing season in Petal?
There are roughly 252 frost-free days in Petal (a long growing season), running from the average last frost around March 8 to the first fall frost near November 15.
When should I plant tomatoes in Petal?
In Petal, start tomato seeds indoors around January 11–January 25, then transplant seedlings outdoors around March 15 once the danger of frost has passed.
Never miss a window in Petal
An email when it’s time to start seeds, transplant, and sow — timed to Petal’s frost dates. Double opt-in, one-click unsubscribe, no spam.
Nearby cities
8 within reach- Hattiesburg · 9 km
- Laurel · 39 km
- Bogalusa · 87 km
- Picayune · 100 km
- Gulfport · 104 km
- D'Iberville · 106 km
- Biloxi · 106 km
- Long Beach · 111 km
Frost dates recorded at HATTIESBURG CHAIN MUNI AP, 8 km from the city center · 1991–2020 NOAA climate normals · zone from the USDA/PRISM 2023 map. How we compute this.
BlissGarden. "When to Plant in Petal, MS — Frost Dates & Zone 8b." Frost normals: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020, station USW00013833. Retrieved from https://blissgarden.com/mississippi/petal.