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When to Plant Tomatoes in Walthall County, MS

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.

Walthall County, Mississippi is in USDA Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 15 and the first fall frost is November 16, giving you a growing season of approximately 246 days.

At an elevation of 207 feet, Walthall County receives approximately 50.2 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly clay loam soil. Summer highs average 90ยฐF, 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.

Walthall County, MS (Zone 8a) Long season
246 days
Last Spring Frost March 15
246 growing days
First Fall Frost November 16

Walthall County Soil Profile

Soil Type

Clay Loam

Soil pH

5.5-6.6

Drainage

Well Drained

Plant Planting Risk Windows

Early Start (70% safe) ✓ Fits season (105 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 14 Transplant: Mar 18 🍅 Harvest: May 20 – Jul 29
Recommended (50%) ✓ Fits season (99 days to spare)
Start indoors: Jan 25 Transplant: Mar 29 🍅 Harvest: May 31 – Aug 9
Safe Start (90%) ✓ Fits season (92 days to spare)
Start indoors: Feb 16 Transplant: Apr 20 🍅 Harvest: Jun 22 – Aug 31

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
Tomatoes needs ~1,269 GDD — county provides 4,305 GDD Excellent fit

Tomatoes Planting Timeline โ€” Walthall County, MS

Tomatoes Planting Calendar

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors January 25 Jan 25 โ€“ Feb 8
Transplant Outdoors March 29 Mar 29 โ€“ Apr 12
Direct Sow March 22 Mar 22 โ€“ Apr 12
Harvest May 31 May 31 โ€“ Aug 9

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

Month-by-Month Timeline

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

Growing Conditions

Sun

Full Sun (6-8+ hours)

Water

Moderate โ€” regular watering

Days to Maturity

60โ€“85 days

Soil pH

6 โ€“ 7

USDA Zone

Zone 8a

Growing Season

246 days

Growing Tips for Walthall County

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.

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Avoid Planting Near

  • Cabbage
  • Fennel
  • Potatoes

Level Up Your Garden

๐ŸŒพ 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 35ยฐF, 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 Walthall County, MS?

Walthall County is in Zone 8a with an average last frost of March 15. Plan your Tomatoes planting based on this frost date โ€” see the calendar above for exact timing.

What planting zone is Walthall County, MS?

Walthall County, Mississippi is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a. The average last spring frost is March 15 and first fall frost is November 16.

๐ŸŒฑ

Plan Your Garden with Confidence

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

Get Your Free Garden Planner →

Free download. Plan your entire garden season in minutes.

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