Frost dates for 70556Mermentau, LA
The average last spring frost in Mermentau is February 19 and the average first fall frost is December 4, giving a typical growing season of about 292 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Feb 19
- Average first fall frost
- Dec 4
- Growing season
- 292 days
Safer after Mar 13 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Nov 12 (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 12 · Mar 6 · Mar 29 | Nov 3 · Nov 19 · Dec 8 | 259 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Jan 21 · Feb 19 · Mar 13 | Nov 12 · Dec 4 · Jan 4 | 292 days | 99% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Dec 30 · Jan 31 · Mar 1 | Nov 28 · Dec 28 · Jan 27 | 330 days | 89% |
Planting calendar for Mermentau
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 14 |
| 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 24 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Mar 7 – Apr 21 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Mar 21 – Apr 21 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Mar 7 – Sep 16 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Mar 7 – Aug 14 |
| 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 4 – Aug 14 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Sep 3 – Sep 14 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Dec 22 – Jan 19 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Jan 19 – Feb 19 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 25 – Aug 24 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 24 – Sep 24 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 19 – Apr 6 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 24 – Oct 10 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 12 – Feb 25 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Sep 10 – Oct 15 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 19 – Mar 11 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 24 – Oct 25 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 5 – Feb 25 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 17 – Sep 24 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 19 – Apr 6 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 25 – Sep 9 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Nov 24 – Dec 25 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 70556 is matched to the NOAA station Jennings, LA, 9 km away, at 25 ft elevation (15 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jennings, LA (used) | 25 ft | Feb 19 | Dec 4 |
| Crowley 2 Ne, LA | 25 ft | Feb 20 | Dec 4 |
| Lake Arthur 7 Sw, LA | 11 ft | Feb 10 | Dec 11 |
| Eunice, LA | 50 ft | Feb 26 | Nov 27 |
Frost dates near Mermentau
- Jennings, LA 70546 · last Feb 19, first Dec 4
- Evangeline, LA 70537 · last Feb 19, first Dec 4
- Egan, LA 70531 · last Feb 20, first Dec 4
- Estherwood, LA 70534 · last Feb 20, first Dec 4
- Morse, LA 70559 · last Feb 20, first Dec 4
- Lake Arthur, LA 70549 · last Feb 10, first Dec 11
- Roanoke, LA 70581 · last Feb 19, first Dec 4
- Iota, LA 70543 · last Feb 20, first Dec 4
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Mermentau, LA?
- For ZIP code 70556, the average last spring frost (32°F) is February 19, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Jennings, LA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after March 13.
- When is the first frost in Mermentau, LA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is December 4. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by November 12, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 70556?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 292 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.