Mississippi planting calendar

When to plant pumpkins in Mississippi — sow, transplant & harvest dates

Mississippi is mostly USDA zone 8b (range 7b-9a). Dates below are derived from pumpkins's frost tolerance and Mississippi's frost window — not generic national averages.

Pumpkins planting timetable for Mississippi

Stage	When in Mississippi	Anchor
Start seeds indoors	early March (March 4)	3 weeks before the last frost (late March)
Transplant outside	early April (April 8)	14 days after the last frost (late March)
First harvest (estimate)	mid-July (July 17)	~100 days from transplant

Dates are state-wide averages for the dominant zone. Local microclimates — elevation, urban heat, coastal moderation — can shift the window by 1-2 weeks. Use the frost-date calculator for a date tuned to your town.

Why Mississippi's climate shifts the pumpkins dates

Mississippi's last spring frost averages late March and first fall frost early November, which sets the whole planting clock. Mississippi has a hot, humid, long season with mild winters. The Gulf Coast is nearly frost-free; the north sees a short cold spell. Wait for warm soil — pumpkins stall in cold ground even after the air warms, so don't rush them out.

Pumpkins need a long frost-free window — count back from your first fall frost date to confirm 90-120 days are available before sowing. Soil must be at least 18 °C (65 °F) at planting depth; seeds germinate fastest at 21-32 °C. In zone 3-4 where seasons are tight, starting indoors 2-3 weeks early in large pots avoids root disturbance. Zones 9-11 can direct-sow in late July for a fall crop.

Frost-risk note

Don't plant before late March — even a light frost will kill seedlings overnight. In the northern hill country near Tupelo (zone 7b) the safe date runs a week or two later.

Regional variation within Mississippi

the northern hill country near Tupelo (zone 7b) runs roughly 1-2 weeks behind the state average; the Gulf Coast around Gulfport (zone 9a) can plant 1-2 weeks earlier.

Jackson — USDA zone 8b
Gulfport — USDA zone 9a
Hattiesburg — USDA zone 8b
Tupelo — USDA zone 8a

What else to plant in Mississippi around then

Pair the post-frost slot with other warm-season crops — peppers, beans, squash, and cucumbers.

Quick-grow guide

Sun: Full sun — 6-8 hours direct.
Soil temperature for germination: 21-32 °C (70-90 °F).
Spacing: 60-84 inches (150-215 cm) for vining types; 36-48 inches (90-120 cm) for bush types between plants.
Days to harvest: ~100 days from planting out.

Frequently asked questions

When is the best time to plant pumpkins in Mississippi?

In Mississippi (mostly USDA zone 8b), sow pumpkins indoors around early March, transplant outdoors early April (after the last frost, late March), and harvest from mid-July. Pumpkins are frost-tender — a single light frost kills seedlings, so they only go outside once frost danger has fully passed and the soil is warm.

What USDA zone is Mississippi?

Most of Mississippi sits in USDA hardiness zone 8b, with the state spanning roughly 7b-9a from the northern hill country near Tupelo (zone 7b) to the Gulf Coast around Gulfport (zone 9a). The last spring frost averages late March and the first fall frost early November.

Can you grow pumpkins in Mississippi?

Yes. Mississippi's dominant zone 8b supports pumpkins — the key is timing. Pumpkins are frost-tender — a single light frost kills seedlings, so they only go outside once frost danger has fully passed and the soil is warm.

Does the planting date change across Mississippi?

the northern hill country near Tupelo (zone 7b) runs roughly 1-2 weeks behind the state average; the Gulf Coast around Gulfport (zone 9a) can plant 1-2 weeks earlier.

What else can I plant in Mississippi around the same time?

Pair the post-frost slot with other warm-season crops — peppers, beans, squash, and cucumbers.

Source and methodology

State zone spans from the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023); frost-date averages from NOAA Climate Data Online. Hot-state two-season timing cross-checked against the UF/IFAS Florida Gardening Calendar and the University of Arizona Cooperative Extension planting calendar. Curated by the Growli editorial team.