Frost dates for 70534Estherwood, LA
The average last spring frost in Estherwood is February 20 and the average first fall frost is December 4, giving a typical growing season of about 291 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Feb 20
- Average first fall frost
- Dec 4
- Growing season
- 291 days
Safer after Mar 14 (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 7 · Mar 5 · Mar 28 | Nov 3 · Nov 20 · Dec 10 | 260 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Jan 18 · Feb 20 · Mar 14 | Nov 13 · Dec 4 · Jan 6 | 291 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Dec 30 · Jan 31 · Mar 3 | Nov 30 · Dec 26 · Jan 25 | 327 days | 88% |
Planting calendar for Estherwood
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 20 – Mar 28 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Mar 8 – Aug 14 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Jan 20 – Feb 20 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Mar 22 – Apr 22 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Feb 6 – Mar 7 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Mar 22 – Apr 22 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Mar 22 – Aug 24 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Mar 8 – Apr 22 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Mar 22 – Apr 22 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Mar 8 – Sep 16 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Mar 8 – Aug 14 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Mar 22 – Apr 22 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Mar 15 – Apr 7 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 20 – Mar 7 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Jan 20 – Mar 22 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Dec 9 – Jan 5 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 6 – Mar 7 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 2 – Feb 5 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 6 – Mar 7 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Aug 4 – Aug 14 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Sep 3 – Sep 14 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Dec 23 – Jan 20 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Jan 20 – Feb 20 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 25 – Aug 24 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 24 – Sep 24 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 20 – Apr 7 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 24 – Oct 10 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 13 – Feb 26 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Sep 10 – Oct 15 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 20 – Mar 12 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 24 – Oct 25 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 6 – Feb 26 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 17 – Sep 24 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 20 – Apr 7 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 25 – Sep 9 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Nov 24 – Dec 25 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 70534 is matched to the NOAA station Crowley 2 Ne, LA, 13 km away, at 25 ft elevation (9 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crowley 2 Ne, LA (used) | 25 ft | Feb 20 | Dec 4 |
| Jennings, LA | 25 ft | Feb 19 | Dec 4 |
| Lake Arthur 7 Sw, LA | 11 ft | Feb 10 | Dec 11 |
| Eunice, LA | 50 ft | Feb 26 | Nov 27 |
Frost dates near Estherwood
- Morse, LA 70559 · last Feb 20, first Dec 4
- Egan, LA 70531 · last Feb 20, first Dec 4
- Crowley, LA 70526 · last Feb 20, first Dec 4
- Mermentau, LA 70556 · last Feb 19, first Dec 4
- Evangeline, LA 70537 · last Feb 19, first Dec 4
- Iota, LA 70543 · last Feb 20, first Dec 4
- Gueydan, LA 70542 · last Feb 10, first Dec 11
- Jennings, LA 70546 · last Feb 19, first Dec 4
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Estherwood, LA?
- For ZIP code 70534, the average last spring frost (32°F) is February 20, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Crowley 2 Ne, LA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after March 14.
- When is the first frost in Estherwood, 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 70534?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 291 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.