Frost dates for 70518Broussard, LA
The average last spring frost in Broussard is February 19 and the average first fall frost is December 1, giving a typical growing season of about 289 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Feb 19
- Average first fall frost
- Dec 1
- Growing season
- 289 days
Safer after Mar 16 (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 10 · Mar 8 · Mar 31 | Nov 1 · Nov 16 · Dec 6 | 254 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Jan 17 · Feb 19 · Mar 16 | Nov 9 · Dec 1 · Jan 2 | 289 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Dec 27 · Jan 30 · Mar 2 | Nov 20 · Dec 19 · Jan 26 | 330 days | 88% |
Planting calendar for Broussard
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 19 – Mar 27 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Mar 7 – Aug 11 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Jan 19 – Feb 19 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Mar 21 – Apr 21 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Feb 5 – Mar 6 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Mar 21 – Apr 21 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Mar 21 – Aug 21 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Mar 7 – Apr 21 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Mar 21 – Apr 21 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Mar 7 – Sep 13 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Mar 7 – Aug 11 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Mar 21 – Apr 21 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Mar 14 – Apr 6 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 19 – Mar 6 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Jan 19 – Mar 21 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Dec 8 – Jan 4 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 5 – Mar 6 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 1 – Feb 4 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 5 – Mar 6 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Aug 1 – Aug 11 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 31 – Sep 11 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Dec 22 – Jan 19 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Jan 19 – Feb 19 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 22 – Aug 21 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 21 – Sep 21 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 19 – Apr 6 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 21 – Oct 7 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 12 – Feb 25 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Sep 7 – Oct 12 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 19 – Mar 11 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 21 – Oct 22 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 5 – Feb 25 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 14 – Sep 21 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 19 – Apr 6 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 22 – Sep 6 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Nov 21 – Dec 22 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 70518 is matched to the NOAA station Lafayette 13 Se, LA, 8.1 km away, at 35 ft elevation (6 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lafayette 13 Se, LA (used) | 35 ft | Feb 19 | Dec 1 |
| St Martinville 3 Sw, LA | 30 ft | Feb 21 | Nov 27 |
| Lafayette Rgnl Ap, LA | 38 ft | Feb 13 | Dec 4 |
| New Iberia Acadiana Ap, LA | 24 ft | Feb 10 | Dec 11 |
Frost dates near Broussard
- Cade, LA 70519 · last Feb 21, first Nov 27
- Lafayette, LA 70509 · last Feb 13, first Dec 4
- Youngsville, LA 70592 · last Feb 13, first Dec 4
- Milton, LA 70558 · last Feb 26, first Nov 28
- Maurice, LA 70555 · last Feb 26, first Nov 28
- New Iberia, LA 70562 · last Feb 14, first Dec 5
- Delcambre, LA 70528 · last Feb 14, first Dec 5
- Saint Martinville, LA 70582 · last Feb 19, first Dec 1
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Broussard, LA?
- For ZIP code 70518, the average last spring frost (32°F) is February 19, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Lafayette 13 Se, LA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after March 16.
- When is the first frost in Broussard, 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 70518?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 289 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.