Mississippi · zones 8a–9a
When to plant tomatoes in Mississippi.
Sow or transplant between Mar 20 to May 20 in a typical year, keyed to Mississippi's median last frost around Mar 13. Dates below are state medians; your ZIP code shifts them by days to weeks.
The 2026 windows
Tomatoes dates for a typical Mississippi season.
1 · Start indoors
Feb 6 to Apr 8
About 6 weeks before set-out. Warm spot, real light.
2 · Set out
Mar 20 to May 20
Keyed to the ~Mar 13 last frost. Sow 0.25" deep, 24" apart.
Harvest
~73 days later
~12 lb per plant over ~8 weeks.
Mississippi spans more than one climate: Zone 8 is the most common zone, but the state runs 8a to 9a. That's why the planner works from your ZIP code's frost dates, not your zone: mountain and coastal gardens in the same state can be three weeks apart.
In Mississippi: watch for
The pests that find tomatoes here.
With about 241 frost-free days, tomato, slicing spends longer in the ground here than in most of the country, which widens the window in which tomato hornworm can find it. Scout weekly from midseason and act on the first signs.
Big green caterpillars strip leaves and leave black droppings.
Organic fix: Handpick at dusk; spray Bt on the young ones.
Clusters on new growth, sticky leaves, curling tips.
Organic fix: Blast with water, then insecticidal soap or neem.
Dark spots with concentric rings, starting on the lowest, oldest leaves.
Organic fix: Remove affected leaves, mulch to stop soil splash, space for airflow.
Greasy, water-soaked blotches in cool, wet spells. No rings, and not bottom-up.
Organic fix: Pull infected plants fast, keep leaves dry, use neem as a preventive.
Septoria leaf spot
Many small tan spots with dark brown edges, low leaves first, no rings inside.
Organic fix: Strip the lowest leaves, mulch against soil splash, stake for airflow.
Your season math: Mississippi gives tomatoes about 241 frost-free days, and it needs roughly 73 days to a first harvest. It's a one-planting crop, so time that single sowing well.
Planting tomatoes in Mississippi: questions
When should I plant tomatoes in Mississippi?+
In a typical Mississippi year, sow tomatoes or set out transplants between Mar 20 to May 20, keyed to the state's median last frost around Mar 13. Your exact dates shift with your ZIP code and microclimate.
When do I start tomatoes seeds indoors in Mississippi?+
Start seeds inside about 6 weeks before set-out: roughly Feb 6 to Apr 8 for a typical Mississippi season.
What USDA zone is Mississippi?+
Mississippi spans zones 8a–9a, mostly zone 8. But frost dates, not zones, set planting time. The free planner uses your ZIP code's actual frost dates.
How many tomatoes plants do I need?+
Depends who you're feeding. The crop page has exact counts per household size, or the free planner does the math for your family in about 60 seconds.