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When to Plant Pomegranate in Simpson County, MS

Pomegranates are drought-tolerant shrubs or small trees producing fruits filled with jewel-like, sweet-tart arils. They thrive in hot, dry climates and make excellent hedges.

Simpson County, Mississippi is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 10 and the first fall frost is November 15, giving you a growing season of approximately 250 days.

At an elevation of 90 feet, Simpson County receives approximately 48.4 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly clay loam soil. Summer highs average 97ยฐF, so Pomegranate may need afternoon shade and extra watering during peak heat. Clay soil retains moisture well for Pomegranate, but amend with compost to improve drainage and prevent root rot.

Simpson County, MS (Zone 8a) Long season
250 days
Last Spring Frost March 10
250 growing days
First Fall Frost November 15

Simpson County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Clay Loam

Soil pH

5.6-6.8

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: Mar 24
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: Mar 31
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season
Transplant: Apr 20

Percentages indicate frost risk at transplant. The 70% safe window means there is a 30% chance of frost after transplant — suitable for cold-hardy crops or gardeners with frost protection. The 90% safe window is best for tender plants.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
0.5″/week
Rainfall provides
0.8″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Drought risk

Water stress score is 6/10 โ€” consider drought-tolerant varieties and mulching

Pomegranate needs ~20,759 GDD — county provides 5,687 GDD May not mature

Pomegranate Planting Timeline โ€” Simpson County, MS

Pomegranate Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors March 31 Mar 31 โ€“ Apr 14

ยท 120" apart ยท Rows 144" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January โ€”
February โ€”
March Transplant Outdoors
April Transplant Outdoors
May โ€”
June โ€”
July โ€”
August โ€”
September โ€”
October โ€”
November โ€”
December โ€”

Growing Conditions

Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

Water

Low โ€” drought tolerant

Days to Maturity

730โ€“1095 days

Soil pH

5.5 โ€“ 7.5

USDA Zone

Zone 8a

Growing Season

250 days

Growing Tips for Simpson County

Plant in full sun with well-drained soil. Water deeply but infrequently. Prune to maintain shape and remove suckers. Harvest when fruits have developed full color and sound metallic when tapped.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Level Up Your Garden

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Pomegranate in Simpson County, MS?

Simpson County is in Zone 8a with an average last frost of March 10. Plan your Pomegranate planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Simpson County, MS?

Simpson County, Mississippi is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 10 and first fall frost is November 15.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Simpson County gardeners in Zone 8a organize planting dates, track what's growing, and never miss a planting window.

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Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals. Frost dates are based on 50% probability averages for Simpson County, MS. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.