Frost dates for 70435Covington, LA
The average last spring frost in Covington is March 12 and the average first fall frost is November 18, giving a typical growing season of about 253 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 12
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 18
- Growing season
- 253 days
Safer after Apr 3 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Nov 1 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 20 days
Frost risk by date
NOAA reports frost dates as probabilities. The middle date is the average (a 50% chance). For spring, the 10% date is a safer planting date: frost after it happens in about 1 year in 10. Light frost (36°F) can damage tender plants; a hard freeze (28°F) kills most annuals.
| Temperature | Last spring: 90% / 50% / 10% chance | First fall: 10% / 50% / 90% chance | Growing season (50%) | Years with at least one |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Light frost (36°F) | Mar 3 · Mar 27 · Apr 15 | Oct 24 · Nov 7 · Nov 25 | 227 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Feb 13 · Mar 12 · Apr 3 | Nov 1 · Nov 18 · Dec 12 | 253 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Jan 18 · Feb 19 · Mar 17 | Nov 12 · Dec 3 · Jan 6 | 290 days | 99% |
Planting calendar for Covington
Planting windows from the University of Maryland Extension calendar, shifted to your average frost dates. Use them as a starting point and adjust for seed packet instructions and local conditions.
| Crop | Task | Window |
|---|---|---|
| Tomatoes | Start seeds indoors | Feb 9 – Apr 17 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Mar 28 – Jul 29 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Feb 9 – Mar 12 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Apr 11 – May 12 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Feb 26 – Mar 27 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Apr 11 – May 12 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Apr 11 – Aug 8 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Mar 28 – May 12 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 11 – May 12 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Mar 28 – Aug 31 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Mar 28 – Jul 29 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Apr 11 – May 12 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 4 – Apr 27 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 9 – Mar 27 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Feb 9 – Apr 11 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Dec 29 – Jan 25 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 26 – Mar 27 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 22 – Feb 25 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 26 – Mar 27 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 19 – Jul 29 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 18 – Aug 29 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 12 – Feb 9 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 9 – Mar 12 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 9 – Aug 8 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 8 – Sep 8 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 9 – Apr 27 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 8 – Sep 24 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 2 – Mar 18 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 25 – Sep 29 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 9 – Apr 1 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 8 – Oct 9 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 26 – Mar 18 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 1 – Sep 8 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 12 – Apr 27 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 9 – Aug 24 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Nov 8 – Dec 9 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 70435 is matched to the NOAA station Covington 4 Nnw, LA, 4.3 km away, at 40 ft elevation (52 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Covington 4 Nnw, LA (used) | 40 ft | Mar 12 | Nov 18 |
| Hammond 5 E, LA | 35 ft | Mar 8 | Nov 19 |
| Bogalusa, LA | 100 ft | Mar 2 | Nov 23 |
| Slidell Ap, LA | 27 ft | Mar 3 | Nov 21 |
Frost dates near Covington
- Saint Benedict, LA 70457 · last Mar 12, first Nov 18
- Covington, LA 70433 · last Mar 12, first Nov 18
- Folsom, LA 70437 · last Mar 12, first Nov 18
- Abita Springs, LA 70420 · last Mar 12, first Nov 18
- Bush, LA 70431 · last Mar 12, first Nov 18
- Madisonville, LA 70447 · last Mar 12, first Nov 18
- Mandeville, LA 70471 · last Mar 12, first Nov 18
- Talisheek, LA 70464 · last Mar 12, first Nov 18
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Covington, LA?
- For ZIP code 70435, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 12, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Covington 4 Nnw, LA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 3.
- When is the first frost in Covington, LA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 18. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by November 1, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 70435?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 253 days long.
- Are these frost dates a forecast?
- No. They are 30-year averages and probabilities from NOAA weather station records. Use them to plan, then watch your local forecast before planting tender crops or leaving them uncovered.