Frost dates for 70541Grand Coteau, LA
The average last spring frost in Grand Coteau is February 28 and the average first fall frost is November 23, giving a typical growing season of about 267 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Feb 28
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 23
- Growing season
- 267 days
Safer after Mar 25 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Nov 5 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 27 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 18 · Apr 7 | Oct 30 · Nov 13 · Dec 1 | 239 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Jan 31 · Feb 28 · Mar 25 | Nov 5 · Nov 23 · Dec 16 | 267 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Jan 5 · Feb 6 · Mar 8 | Nov 14 · Dec 8 · Jan 11 | 302 days | 97% |
Planting calendar for Grand Coteau
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 28 – Apr 5 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Mar 16 – Aug 3 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Jan 28 – Feb 28 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Mar 30 – Apr 30 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Feb 14 – Mar 15 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Mar 30 – Apr 30 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Mar 30 – Aug 13 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Mar 16 – Apr 30 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Mar 30 – Apr 30 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Mar 16 – Sep 5 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Mar 16 – Aug 3 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Mar 30 – Apr 30 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Mar 23 – Apr 15 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 28 – Mar 15 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Jan 28 – Mar 30 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Dec 17 – Jan 13 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 14 – Mar 15 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 10 – Feb 13 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 14 – Mar 15 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 24 – Aug 3 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 23 – Sep 3 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Dec 31 – Jan 28 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Jan 28 – Feb 28 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 14 – Aug 13 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 13 – Sep 13 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 28 – Apr 15 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 13 – Sep 29 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 21 – Mar 6 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 30 – Oct 4 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 28 – Mar 20 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 13 – Oct 14 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 14 – Mar 6 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 6 – Sep 13 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 28 – Apr 15 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 14 – Aug 29 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Nov 13 – Dec 14 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 70541 is matched to the NOAA station Grand Coteau, LA, 0.3 km away, at 55 ft elevation (3 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grand Coteau, LA (used) | 55 ft | Feb 28 | Nov 23 |
| Lafayette, LA | 25 ft | Feb 26 | Nov 28 |
| Lafayette Rgnl Ap, LA | 38 ft | Feb 13 | Dec 4 |
| Crowley 2 Ne, LA | 25 ft | Feb 20 | Dec 4 |
Frost dates near Grand Coteau
- Sunset, LA 70584 · last Feb 28, first Nov 23
- Leonville, LA 70551 · last Feb 28, first Nov 23
- Carencro, LA 70520 · last Feb 28, first Nov 23
- Opelousas, LA 70570 · last Feb 28, first Nov 23
- Arnaudville, LA 70512 · last Feb 28, first Nov 23
- Lafayette, LA 70507 · last Feb 13, first Dec 4
- Lawtell, LA 70550 · last Feb 28, first Nov 23
- Church Point, LA 70525 · last Feb 28, first Nov 23
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Grand Coteau, LA?
- For ZIP code 70541, the average last spring frost (32°F) is February 28, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Grand Coteau, LA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after March 25.
- When is the first frost in Grand Coteau, LA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 23. 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 70541?
- 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.