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When to Plant Tomatoes in Noxubee County, MS

Noxubee County, Mississippi Zone 8b May

Top priorities for Noxubee County, Mississippi gardeners in May

We've pulled the most time-sensitive tasks for Noxubee County, Mississippi this May and put them front and centre. Tackle them in order.

Avg. last frost March 25
Avg. first frost November 5
Soil temp (4") 73°F
Watering Low
Pest pressure High
Daylight 13.7 hrs
  1. Start tomatoes indoors

    Starting these indoors now means sturdy transplants ready the moment your soil warms up.

June prep starts now
  • First harvests: tomatoes

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Tomatoes are the most popular home garden crop, available in thousands of varieties from tiny cherries to massive beefsteaks. They are warm-season plants needing full sun.

Noxubee County, Mississippi is in USDA Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 25 and the first fall frost is November 5, giving you a growing season of approximately 225 days.

At an elevation of 119 feet, Noxubee County receives approximately 51.4 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly clay loam soil. Summer highs average 92°F, providing good warmth for Tomatoes during the growing season. Clay soil retains moisture well for Tomatoes, but amend with compost to improve drainage and prevent root rot. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Tomatoes root diseases.

Noxubee County, MS (Zone 8b) Long season
225 days
Last Spring Frost March 25
225 growing days
First Fall Frost November 5

Noxubee County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Clay Loam

Soil pH

5.7-6.4

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (83 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 25 Transplant: Mar 29 🍅 Harvest: May 31 – Aug 9
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (78 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 4 Transplant: Apr 8 🍅 Harvest: Jun 10 – Aug 19
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (74 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 26 Transplant: Apr 30 🍅 Harvest: Jul 2 – Sep 10

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.

Soil Compatibility in Noxubee County

How your county's soil matches Tomatoes's growing requirements.

Soil pH

Your soil pH (5.7–6.4) overlaps with Tomatoes's range (6.0–7.0), though not a perfect match.

Soil Texture

The clay loam soil in Noxubee County is excellent for Tomatoes — good drainage, moisture retention, and nutrient holding capacity.

Organic Matter

Organic matter is moderate (2.2%). Annual compost additions will help Tomatoes.

How to Plant Tomatoes

0.5"
Planting Depth
24"
Between Plants
36"
Between Rows

Succession Planting Tomatoes

4
successive plantings in your 225-day season

Sow every 6.9 weeks. Last sowing by Aug 12 to harvest before frost.

Plant Water Budget

Plant needs
1.2″/week
Rainfall provides
1.0″/week
You supply
0.2″/week
Watering frequency Only during dry spells
Season total 482 gal / 100 sq ft

Monthly Watering Guide for Tomatoes

Tomatoes needs approximately 1.2 inches of water per week (5.2" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.

Month Tomatoes Needs Rainfall You Supplement Action
Jan 4.7" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Feb 4.2" 0" ❄️ Dormant
Mar 5.2" 4.4" 0.8" 💧 Light watering
Apr 5.2" 3.6" 1.6" 💧 Light watering
May 5.2" 4.2" 1" 💧 Light watering
Jun 5.2" 4.1" 1.1" 💧 Light watering
Jul 5.2" 5.4" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Aug 5.2" 5.5" 0" ✅ Rainfall sufficient
Sep 5.2" 3.5" 1.7" 💧 Light watering
Oct 5.2" 3.7" 1.5" 💧 Light watering
Nov 5.2" 4.3" 0.9" 💧 Light watering
Dec 3.8" 0" ❄️ Dormant

Water needs are for active growing months only (Mar–Nov in Noxubee County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall — actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.

Tomatoes Heat Requirements (GDD)

What are Growing Degree Days (GDD)?

Growing Degree Days measure the total warmth your plants receive during the growing season. Think of it as a "heat bank" — every day above 50°F deposits warmth that helps your plants grow.

Each plant needs a certain amount of accumulated heat to mature. If your county provides more GDD than the plant needs, it's a great fit. If it's close, you may want to choose faster-maturing varieties or start seeds indoors to get a head start.

Tomatoes needs ~1,378 GDD — county provides 4,275 GDD Excellent fit

Tomatoes Planting Timeline — Noxubee County, MS

Tomatoes Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors February 4 Feb 4 – Feb 18
Transplant Outdoors April 8 Apr 8 – Apr 22
Direct Sow April 1 Apr 1 – Apr 22
Harvest June 10 Jun 10 – Aug 19

Plant 0.5" deep · 24" apart · Rows 36" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

MonthActivities
January
February Start Indoors
March
April Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow
May
June Harvest
July Harvest
August Harvest
September
October
November
December

Growing Conditions

☀️ Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

💧 Water

1.2"/week · Only during dry spells

📅 Days to Maturity

60–85 days

🧪 Soil pH

Needs 6–7 · Your soil: acceptable

🗺️ USDA Zone

Zone 8b

📆 Growing Season

225 days in Noxubee County

Growing Tips for Tomatoes in Noxubee County

Direct sow Tomatoes outdoors after March 25 in Noxubee County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.

With Noxubee County's clay soil (30% clay), work in 3-4 inches of compost before planting Tomatoes. Avoid tilling when soil is wet to prevent compaction.

Common pests for Tomatoes in this region include tomato hornworm and aphids. Use row covers early in the season and inspect plants weekly.

General growing tips

Start seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost. Bury transplants deep to encourage rooting along the stem. Provide consistent moisture to prevent blossom end rot and cracking.

Recommended Tomatoes Varieties for Noxubee County

Disease-resistant varieties for your humid climate

Mountain Merit (VF) Defiant (LB) Iron Lady (EB/LB/SF)

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Avoid Planting Near

  • Cabbage
  • Fennel
  • Potatoes

Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →

🌾 Save Your Own Tomatoes Seeds
Life Cycle Annual
Pollination Self-Pollinating
How to Collect Scoop seeds from ripe fruit; ferment 2-3 days to remove gel coating.
Storage Store airtight; viable 4-6 years at 35°F, under 45% humidity.

Isolate 25 ft between varieties for purity. Use open-pollinated varieties for true-to-type seeds.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Tomatoes in Noxubee County, MS?

Noxubee County is in Zone 8b with an average last frost of March 25. Plan your Tomatoes planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Noxubee County, MS?

Noxubee County, Mississippi is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 25 and first fall frost is November 5.

🌱

Your Noxubee County Garden Planner — Free

A 24-page printable planner built for Noxubee County (Zone 8b). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.

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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 Noxubee County, MS. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: May 2026.

Sources & credits

Every number on this page traces back to a primary horticulture or government data source. Click through to verify.