Frost dates for 70540Garden City, LA
The average last spring frost in Garden City is February 11 and the average first fall frost is December 8, giving a typical growing season of about 303 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Feb 11
- Average first fall frost
- Dec 8
- Growing season
- 303 days
Safer after Mar 11 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Nov 15 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 37 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 1 · Mar 21 | Nov 5 · Nov 22 · Dec 12 | 266 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Jan 12 · Feb 11 · Mar 11 | Nov 15 · Dec 8 · Jan 9 | 303 days | 99% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Dec 22 · Jan 27 · Feb 26 | Dec 1 · Dec 31 · Feb 1 | 340 days | 83% |
Planting calendar for Garden City
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 11 – Mar 19 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Feb 27 – Aug 18 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Jan 11 – Feb 11 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Mar 13 – Apr 13 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Jan 28 – Feb 26 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Mar 13 – Apr 13 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Mar 13 – Aug 28 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Feb 27 – Apr 13 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Mar 13 – Apr 13 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Feb 27 – Sep 20 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Feb 27 – Aug 18 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Mar 13 – Apr 13 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Mar 6 – Mar 29 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 11 – Feb 26 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Jan 11 – Mar 13 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Nov 30 – Dec 27 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Jan 28 – Feb 26 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Dec 24 – Jan 27 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Jan 28 – Feb 26 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Aug 8 – Aug 18 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Sep 7 – Sep 18 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Dec 14 – Jan 11 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Jan 11 – Feb 11 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 29 – Aug 28 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 28 – Sep 28 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 11 – Mar 29 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 28 – Oct 14 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 4 – Feb 17 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Sep 14 – Oct 19 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 11 – Mar 3 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 28 – Oct 29 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 28 – Feb 17 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 21 – Sep 28 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 11 – Mar 29 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 29 – Sep 13 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Nov 28 – Dec 29 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 70540 is matched to the NOAA station Franklin 3 Nw, LA, 10 km away, at 12 ft elevation (6 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Franklin 3 Nw, LA (used) | 12 ft | Feb 11 | Dec 8 |
| Salt Point, LA | 4 ft | Feb 2 | Dec 26 |
| Morgan City, LA | 5 ft | Jan 30 | Jan 1 |
| Jeanerette 5 Nw, LA | 20 ft | Feb 15 | Dec 3 |
Frost dates near Garden City
- Centerville, LA 70522 · last Feb 11, first Dec 8
- Franklin, LA 70538 · last Feb 11, first Dec 8
- Baldwin, LA 70514 · last Feb 11, first Dec 8
- Charenton, LA 70523 · last Feb 11, first Dec 8
- Patterson, LA 70392 · last Jan 30, first Jan 1
- Morgan City, LA 70380 · last Jan 30, first Jan 1
- Berwick, LA 70342 · last Jan 30, first Jan 1
- Jeanerette, LA 70544 · last Feb 15, first Dec 3
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Garden City, LA?
- For ZIP code 70540, the average last spring frost (32°F) is February 11, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Franklin 3 Nw, LA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after March 11.
- When is the first frost in Garden City, LA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is December 8. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by November 15, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 70540?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 303 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.