Frost dates for 70501Lafayette, LA
The average last spring frost in Lafayette is February 13 and the average first fall frost is December 4, giving a typical growing season of about 299 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Feb 13
- Average first fall frost
- Dec 4
- Growing season
- 299 days
Safer after Mar 10 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Nov 13 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 38 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 1 · Mar 3 · Mar 25 | Nov 4 · Nov 20 · Dec 10 | 265 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Jan 13 · Feb 13 · Mar 10 | Nov 13 · Dec 4 · Jan 5 | 299 days | 99% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Dec 29 · Jan 27 · Feb 28 | Dec 1 · Dec 30 · Jan 23 | 337 days | 82% |
Planting calendar for Lafayette
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 13 – Mar 21 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Mar 1 – Aug 14 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Jan 13 – Feb 13 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Mar 15 – Apr 15 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Jan 30 – Feb 28 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Mar 15 – Apr 15 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Mar 15 – Aug 24 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Mar 1 – Apr 15 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Mar 15 – Apr 15 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Mar 1 – Sep 16 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Mar 1 – Aug 14 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Mar 15 – Apr 15 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Mar 8 – Mar 31 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 13 – Feb 28 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Jan 13 – Mar 15 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Dec 2 – Dec 29 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Jan 30 – Feb 28 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Dec 26 – Jan 29 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Jan 30 – Feb 28 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Aug 4 – Aug 14 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Sep 3 – Sep 14 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Dec 16 – Jan 13 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Jan 13 – Feb 13 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 25 – Aug 24 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 24 – Sep 24 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 13 – Mar 31 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 24 – Oct 10 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 6 – Feb 19 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Sep 10 – Oct 15 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 13 – Mar 5 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 24 – Oct 25 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 30 – Feb 19 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 17 – Sep 24 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 13 – Mar 31 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 25 – Sep 9 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Nov 24 – Dec 25 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 70501 is matched to the NOAA station Lafayette Rgnl Ap, LA, 4 km away, at 38 ft elevation (1 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lafayette Rgnl Ap, LA (used) | 38 ft | Feb 13 | Dec 4 |
| Lafayette, LA | 25 ft | Feb 26 | Nov 28 |
| Grand Coteau, LA | 55 ft | Feb 28 | Nov 23 |
| Lafayette 13 Se, LA | 35 ft | Feb 19 | Dec 1 |
Frost dates near Lafayette
- Lafayette, LA 70502 · last Feb 13, first Dec 4
- Scott, LA 70583 · last Feb 26, first Nov 28
- Carencro, LA 70520 · last Feb 28, first Nov 23
- Broussard, LA 70518 · last Feb 19, first Dec 1
- Duson, LA 70529 · last Feb 26, first Nov 28
- Youngsville, LA 70592 · last Feb 13, first Dec 4
- Milton, LA 70558 · last Feb 26, first Nov 28
- Breaux Bridge, LA 70517 · last Feb 13, first Dec 4
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Lafayette, LA?
- For ZIP code 70501, the average last spring frost (32°F) is February 13, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Lafayette Rgnl Ap, LA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after March 10.
- When is the first frost in Lafayette, LA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is December 4. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by November 13, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 70501?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 299 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.