Vegetable Planting Times in Mississippi

The planting times of vegetables in Mississippi are dependent on the type of vegetable and the date of the last freeze. Mississippi is broken down into five zones for the purposes of determining the average times for the last freeze of the year. Cool weather vegetables grow best when they are planted shortly before the last freeze, while warm weather vegetables thrive when they are planted later in the year.

Zone 1 consists of the four southernmost counties of Mississippi. The last freeze of the year in zone 1 typically occurs between March 1 and 11. The earliest planting date for regular cool weather vegetables is February 1; however, some vegetables allow planting as early as January 20 -- lettuce, onions, potatoes, kohlrabi, carrots and spinach. Planting for warm weather vegetables in zone 1 begins in the middle or end of March depending on the specific vegetable. The one exception to this is corn, which has a start date of March 1.

Zone 2 includes parts of 19 counties in southern and southwestern Mississippi. The date of the final freeze in zone 2 is typically between March 12 and 21. Regular cool season vegetables in zone 2 have a start date of February 12. These vegetables include beets, broccoli plants, cauliflower plants, mustard, chard, turnips, cabbage and radishes. The early cool weather varieties allow planting beginning January 29. Planting times for warm weather vegetables in this zone begin on March 25 or April 8 except for corn, which has a start date of March 11.

The parts of the state that are considered part of zone 3 are scattered throughout the state. These areas have a final freeze date between March 22 and 26. Regular cool weather vegetables in zone 3 have a start date of February 22 while early varieties can start February 8. The early varieties of the warm weather vegetables, including snap bush beans, peanuts and New Zealand spinach have a start date of April 4 in zone 3. Regular warm weather vegetables in zone 3 have a start date of April 18; however, corn can start as early as March 21.

Zone 4 consists of consists of two contiguous regions that stretch across the state. The final day of freezing weather in zone 4 typically occurs between March 27 and 31. Planting for regular cool weather vegetables begins on February 27 while early cool weather vegetables grow best when planted after February 13. The planting season for regular warm weather vegetables, including bush lima beans, cucumbers, eggplants, muskmelon, okra, pepper plants, southern peas, winter squash, sweet potato plants, watermelon and tomato plants starts on April 23 in zone 4. Early warm weather varieties in zone four start on April 9 except for corn, which starts on March 26.

Zone 5 is located in northeastern Mississippi. Its final day of freezing weather usually occurs between April 1 and 10. Regular cool weather vegetables in zone 5 can start on March 3 and planting for early cool weather vegetables can begin on February 18. Regular warm weather vegetables in zone 5 have a start date of April 28 while early warm weather vegetables start on April 14. Corn grown in zone 5 can start as early as March 31.