Frost dates for 70461Slidell, LA
The average last spring frost in Slidell is February 24 and the average first fall frost is December 1, giving a typical growing season of about 281 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Feb 24
- Average first fall frost
- Dec 1
- Growing season
- 281 days
Safer after Mar 19 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Nov 9 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 28 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) | Feb 18 · Mar 12 · Apr 2 | Nov 1 · Nov 16 · Dec 7 | 250 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Jan 29 · Feb 24 · Mar 19 | Nov 9 · Dec 1 · Jan 3 | 281 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Jan 4 · Feb 4 · Mar 6 | Nov 26 · Dec 26 · Jan 26 | 321 days | 94% |
Planting calendar for Slidell
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 | Jan 24 – Apr 1 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Mar 12 – Aug 11 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Jan 24 – Feb 24 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Mar 26 – Apr 26 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Feb 10 – Mar 11 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Mar 26 – Apr 26 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Mar 26 – Aug 21 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Mar 12 – Apr 26 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Mar 26 – Apr 26 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Mar 12 – Sep 13 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Mar 12 – Aug 11 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Mar 26 – Apr 26 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Mar 19 – Apr 11 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 24 – Mar 11 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Jan 24 – Mar 26 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Dec 13 – Jan 9 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 10 – Mar 11 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 6 – Feb 9 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 10 – Mar 11 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Aug 1 – Aug 11 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 31 – Sep 11 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Dec 27 – Jan 24 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Jan 24 – Feb 24 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 22 – Aug 21 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 21 – Sep 21 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 24 – Apr 11 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 21 – Oct 7 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 17 – Mar 2 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Sep 7 – Oct 12 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 24 – Mar 16 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 21 – Oct 22 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 10 – Mar 2 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 14 – Sep 21 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 24 – Apr 11 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 22 – Sep 6 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Nov 21 – Dec 22 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 70461 is matched to the NOAA station Slidell, LA, 4 km away, at 10 ft elevation (3 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Slidell, LA (used) | 10 ft | Feb 24 | Dec 1 |
| Slidell Ap, LA | 27 ft | Mar 3 | Nov 21 |
| Bay St Louis Nasa, MS | 30 ft | Mar 6 | Nov 19 |
| Picayune, MS | 64 ft | Mar 9 | Nov 18 |
Frost dates near Slidell
- Slidell, LA 70458 · last Feb 24, first Dec 1
- Pearlington, MS 39572 · last Mar 6, first Nov 19
- Pearl River, LA 70452 · last Mar 3, first Nov 21
- Lacombe, LA 70445 · last Mar 3, first Nov 21
- Mandeville, LA 70470 · last Mar 3, first Nov 21
- New Orleans, LA 70129 · last Jan 22, first Jan 5
- Bay Saint Louis, MS 39520 · last Feb 21, first Dec 3
- Lakeshore, MS 39558 · last Feb 21, first Dec 3
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Slidell, LA?
- For ZIP code 70461, the average last spring frost (32°F) is February 24, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Slidell, LA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after March 19.
- When is the first frost in Slidell, LA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is December 1. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by November 9, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 70461?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 281 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.