Mississippi planting calendar

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

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

Sweet corn planting timetable for Mississippi

Stage	When in Mississippi	Anchor
Direct-sow outside	early April (April 4)	10 days after the last frost (late March)
First harvest (estimate)	mid-June (June 18)	~75 days from direct sow

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 sweet corn 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 — sweet corn stall in cold ground even after the air warms, so don't rush them out.

Sweet corn is direct-sown only — it resents root disturbance and transplants very poorly. Sow in blocks of at least 4 rows (not single rows) for adequate wind pollination, 7-14 days after the last frost once soil temperature reaches 16 °C (60 °F). In short-season zones (5-6), warm-season su/se types reaching maturity in 70-75 days are most reliable; avoid extra-sweet sh2 varieties below 18 °C as germination fails. Succession-sow every 2-3 weeks for a continuous harvest, but do not mix different types within 400 metres to prevent cross-pollination that causes starchy kernels.

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: 16-34 °C (60-95 °F).
Spacing: 9-12 inches (23-30 cm) between plants.
Days to harvest: ~75 days from planting out.

Frequently asked questions

When is the best time to plant sweet corn in Mississippi?

In Mississippi (mostly USDA zone 8b), direct-sow sweet corn early April (after the last frost, late March), and harvest from mid-June. Sweet corn 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 sweet corn in Mississippi?

Yes. Mississippi's dominant zone 8b supports sweet corn — the key is timing. Sweet corn 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.