USDA Mississippi Hardiness Zones: 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a
Mississippi, full of southern charm and Civil War history, is a relatively marshy state in terms of geography. Thanks to the Gulf of Mexico’s influence, Mississippi is considered a humid subtropical climate.
The USDA reports Mississippi grows a significant amount of corn, rice, and cotton. Corn, rice, cotton, and other cash crops, such as sweet potatoes and rice, are perfect for the growing conditions of Mississippi.
Mississippi’s humid subtropical climate means the winters are generally mild. The summers, though, are long and hot. Mississippi also receives a significant amount of rain each year, too.
Because of the warmer temperatures, Mississippi is classified into four distinct planting zones. Those planting zones are 7b, 8a, 8b, and 9a.
Mississippi Planting Zone – A Quick Overview
- If you live in the northern portion of Mississippi, such as the area around Oxford or Tupelo, you live in the 7b planting zone.
- Mississippi’s middle section of the state is considered the 8a planting zone. Jackson, Greenville, and Meridan are located in this planting zone.
- The lower portion of Mississippi, including Hattiesburg, is located in the 8b planting zone.
- If you live on the Gulf of Mexico, Biloxi, for example, you live in the 9a planting zone.
Using the Mississippi Growing Zones Map
You don’t need a green thumb to be a successful gardener. If you want your flowers and vegetables to thrive, you need to make sure you choose suitable plants for your planting zone. Thankfully, the USDA created the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map in 2012.
This map is a handy reference designed to help gardeners, farmers, and growers determine their planting zones. If you often shop in local nurseries, you might even see a reference to the USDA planting zones on tags of plants at your local nursery.
Using the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map to determine your gardening zone is simple. When you open the map, click on Mississippi. Once you click on the state, you’ll see a colorful map of Mississippi. Each color represents a different planting zone.
Use the legend on the side of the map to determine your specific planting zone. Enter your address and zip code into the search bar for more detailed information. This map will give you critical information about your planting zone.
Explore Our Complete US Hardiness Zone Map
While your garden space or field may be considered a particular gardening zone, you need to determine the micro-climate of your area. The micro-climate of your space may be different from the surrounding area.
This is because factors such as soil type, humidity levels, dew, and the presence of giant boulders affect the micro-climate. Knowing your micro-climate and the growing zone will help you choose the appropriate plants for your space.
Mississippi: The State with a Ten-Month Growing Season
Compared to other states in the United States, the growing season in Mississippi is relatively long. Mississippi’s growing season is approximately 205 days of the year– or roughly ten months. It is not uncommon for gardeners to begin working in their gardens in mid-March.
There are plenty of crops that grow well in Mississippi. Consider planting cabbage, okra, or summer squash in your vegetable garden. Melons and pumpkins are also a great choice. Hollyhock, impatiens, and begonias will add a lovely color to any flower garden in Mississippi.
The McClain’s Tree Experts, located in Ocean Springs, Mississippi, suggest planting Crepe Myrtle, flowering dogwoods, and magnolias to add to the aesthetic of your landscape.