Most of south Mississippi is in planting zone 8b, with extreme minimum temperatures ranging from 15 to 20 degrees Fahrenheit. Warm-season grasses are the best choice for this region. Plant them between May and June.
Understanding your planting zone helps you choose the right grass and plants for your yard. This article will go deeper into each planting zone in south Mississippi and explain what that means for you.
If you want to know the planting zones for other Mississippi regions, check out our guides below:
Overview of south Mississippi planting zones
The entire Pine Belt and southwest region, and the lower parts of the east central and Capital Region, fall in zone 8b. Most of the coastal region is in zone 9a. Here’s a county map of south Mississippi:
Zone 8b: Pine Belt and Southwest region
Zone 8b has hot summers and mild winters, with extreme minimum temperatures ranging from 15 to 20 degrees Fahrenheit. The last frost date in spring generally occurs between March 13 and March 28, and you can expect the first frost of fall between Nov. 7 and Nov. 28.
The growing season in this zone is long, and can host a variety of plants.
Best grasses for zone 8b
Warm-season grasses are ideal for zone 8b, and the best time to plant them is from May to June.
Best plants for zone 8b
From annuals to evergreens, this zone can host a variety of plants. Here are some of the best options:
Flowers:
- Phlox
- Iris
- Dahlia
- Begonia
- Gladiolus
Trees and shrubs:
- Live oak
- Southern red oak
- Monkey puzzle
- Queen palm
- Southern magnolia
Zone 9a: Gulf Coast
Zone 9a is a warm zone with warm summers and mild winters. The minimum winter temperature ranges from 20 to 25 degrees Fahrenheit. The last frost date in spring generally occurs between Feb. 6 and 28, and the first frost date in fall occurs between Nov. 25 and Dec. 13.
This zone has a long growing season, and winters usually don’t reach the minimum temperatures.
Best grasses for zone 9a
This zone is warm, which is ideal for warm-season grasses. May to June is the best time to plant them.
- Bermudagrass
- Centipedegrass
- Zoysiagrass
- St. Augustinegrass
Best plants for zone 9a
Zone 9a has a long growing season. Here are some plants that thrive in this zone:
Flowers:
- Begonia
- Hibiscus
- Peony
- Angelonia
- Iris
Trees and shrubs:
- Silver wattle
- Pineapple guava
- Bottlebrush
- Camellia
- Crape myrtle
Planting zones of south Mississippi, by city
Here are the planting zones of major cities in south Mississippi:
Bay Springs – Zone 8b
Brookhaven – Zone 8b
Cloverdale – Zone 8b
Collins – Zone 8b
Columbia – Zone 8b
Gulfport – Zone 9a
Laurel – Zone 8b
Leakesville – Zone 8b
Liberty – Zone 8b
Lucedale – Zone 8b
Magnolia – Zone 8b
Meadville – Zone 8b
Mendenhall – Zone 8b
Monticello – Zone 8b
New Augusta – Zone 8b
Ocean Springs – Zone 9a
Petal – Zone 8b
Poplarville – Zone 9a
Prentiss – Zone 8b
Purvis – Zone 8b
Quitman – Zone 8b
Raleigh – Zone 8b
Tylertown – Zone 8b
Waveland – Zone 9a
Waynesboro – Zone 8b
Wiggins – Zone 9a
Woodville – Zone 9a
FAQs
When is the best time to plant in south Mississippi?
If you’re in south Mississippi, late March to early November is the best time to plant so roots have enough time to develop before the winter chill.
Can I extend the growing season in south Mississippi?
South Mississippi has a long growing season, but if you want to extend it further, use techniques like row covers, cold frames, and seed indoors before the last frost.
When to hire a professional
Most of south Mississippi is in zone 8b, except for the Gulf Coast, which is in zone 9a. If you need help choosing the right plants or with anything related to lawn care, get in touch with Lawn Love. Our seasoned pros can transform your yard from ordinary to extraordinary.
Main Image Credit: Woodlot | Wikimedia Commons | CC BY-SA 3.0