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When to Plant Strawberries in Jackson County, MS

Strawberries are a beloved perennial fruit available as June-bearing, ever-bearing, and day-neutral types. They are one of the easiest fruits to grow in containers or garden beds.

Jackson County, Mississippi is in USDA Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 2 and the first fall frost is November 26, giving you a growing season of approximately 269 days.

At an elevation of 182 feet, Jackson County receives approximately 57.7 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sandy loam soil. Summer highs average 91ยฐF, providing good warmth for Strawberries during the growing season. Sandy soil warms quickly in spring โ€” great for early planting โ€” but Strawberries will need more frequent watering and organic matter to retain nutrients. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Strawberries root diseases.

Jackson County, MS (Zone 8b) Long season
269 days
Last Spring Frost March 2
269 growing days
First Fall Frost November 26

Jackson County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Sandy Loam

Soil pH

5.1-6.1

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Mar 7 🍅 Harvest: Jun 6 – Nov 21
Recommended (50%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Mar 23 🍅 Harvest: Jun 22 – Dec 7
Safe Start (90%) ✗ May not fit
Transplant: Apr 15 🍅 Harvest: Jul 15 – Dec 30

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
1.0″/week
Rainfall provides
0.9″/week
Watering frequency Natural rainfall sufficient
Season total 0 gal / 100 sq ft
Strawberries needs ~4,152 GDD — county provides 4,909 GDD Good fit

Strawberries Planting Timeline โ€” Jackson County, MS

Strawberries Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Transplant Outdoors March 23 Mar 23 โ€“ Apr 6
Harvest June 22 Jun 22 โ€“ Dec 7

ยท 12" apart ยท Rows 24" apart

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

Water

Moderate โ€” regular watering

Days to Maturity

90โ€“365 days

Soil pH

5.5 โ€“ 6.8

USDA Zone

Zone 8b

Growing Season

269 days

Growing Tips for Jackson County

Plant with crowns at soil level. Remove runners the first year to strengthen plants. Mulch with straw to keep fruit clean and suppress weeds. Renovate June-bearing beds after harvest.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Avoid Planting Near

  • Cabbage
  • Broccoli

Level Up Your Garden

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Strawberries in Jackson County, MS?

Jackson County is in Zone 8b with an average last frost of March 2. Plan your Strawberries planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Jackson County, MS?

Jackson County, Mississippi is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8b. The average last spring frost is March 2 and first fall frost is November 26.

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Plan Your Garden with Confidence

Get our free Garden Planner โ€” designed to help Jackson County gardeners in Zone 8b 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 Jackson County, MS. Local conditions may vary. Last updated: April 2026.