Frost dates for 70532Elton, LA
The average last spring frost in Elton is March 1 and the average first fall frost is November 24, giving a typical growing season of about 267 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 1
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 24
- Growing season
- 267 days
Safer after Mar 26 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Nov 5 (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 24 · Mar 19 · Apr 9 | Oct 30 · Nov 11 · Dec 1 | 237 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Feb 1 · Mar 1 · Mar 26 | Nov 5 · Nov 24 · Dec 17 | 267 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Jan 11 · Feb 12 · Mar 11 | Nov 17 · Dec 11 · Jan 15 | 305 days | 98% |
Planting calendar for Elton
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 29 – Apr 6 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Mar 17 – Aug 4 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Jan 29 – Mar 1 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Mar 31 – May 1 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Feb 15 – Mar 16 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Mar 31 – May 1 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Mar 31 – Aug 14 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Mar 17 – May 1 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Mar 31 – May 1 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Mar 17 – Sep 6 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Mar 17 – Aug 4 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Mar 31 – May 1 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Mar 24 – Apr 16 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 29 – Mar 16 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Jan 29 – Mar 31 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Dec 18 – Jan 14 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 15 – Mar 16 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 11 – Feb 14 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 15 – Mar 16 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 25 – Aug 4 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 24 – Sep 4 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 1 – Jan 29 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Jan 29 – Mar 1 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 15 – Aug 14 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 14 – Sep 14 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 29 – Apr 16 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 14 – Sep 30 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 22 – Mar 7 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 31 – Oct 5 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 29 – Mar 21 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 14 – Oct 15 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 15 – Mar 7 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 7 – Sep 14 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 1 – Apr 16 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 15 – Aug 30 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Nov 14 – Dec 15 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 70532 is matched to the NOAA station Oberlin Fire Twr, LA, 16.3 km away, at 65 ft elevation (16 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oberlin Fire Twr, LA (used) | 65 ft | Mar 1 | Nov 24 |
| Eunice, LA | 50 ft | Feb 26 | Nov 27 |
| Jennings, LA | 25 ft | Feb 19 | Dec 4 |
| Crowley 2 Ne, LA | 25 ft | Feb 20 | Dec 4 |
Frost dates near Elton
- Basile, LA 70515 · last Feb 26, first Nov 27
- Kinder, LA 70648 · last Mar 1, first Nov 24
- Oberlin, LA 70655 · last Mar 1, first Nov 24
- Fenton, LA 70640 · last Feb 19, first Dec 4
- Iota, LA 70543 · last Feb 20, first Dec 4
- Roanoke, LA 70581 · last Feb 19, first Dec 4
- Evangeline, LA 70537 · last Feb 19, first Dec 4
- Leblanc, LA 70651 · last Mar 1, first Nov 24
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Elton, LA?
- For ZIP code 70532, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 1, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Oberlin Fire Twr, LA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after March 26.
- When is the first frost in Elton, LA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 24. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by November 5, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 70532?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 267 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.