Frost dates for 70563New Iberia, LA
The average last spring frost in New Iberia is February 15 and the average first fall frost is December 3, giving a typical growing season of about 294 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Feb 15
- Average first fall frost
- Dec 3
- Growing season
- 294 days
Safer after Mar 13 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Nov 11 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 30 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 5 · Mar 4 · Mar 24 | Nov 3 · Nov 19 · Dec 10 | 263 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Jan 17 · Feb 15 · Mar 13 | Nov 11 · Dec 3 · Jan 4 | 294 days | 99% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Dec 23 · Jan 29 · Mar 1 | Nov 26 · Dec 24 · Jan 26 | 332 days | 86% |
Planting calendar for New Iberia
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 15 – Mar 23 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Mar 3 – Aug 13 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Jan 15 – Feb 15 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Mar 17 – Apr 17 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Feb 1 – Mar 2 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Mar 17 – Apr 17 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Mar 17 – Aug 23 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Mar 3 – Apr 17 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Mar 17 – Apr 17 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Mar 3 – Sep 15 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Mar 3 – Aug 13 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Mar 17 – Apr 17 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Mar 10 – Apr 2 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 15 – Mar 2 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Jan 15 – Mar 17 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Dec 4 – Dec 31 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 1 – Mar 2 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Dec 28 – Jan 31 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 1 – Mar 2 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Aug 3 – Aug 13 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Sep 2 – Sep 13 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Dec 18 – Jan 15 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Jan 15 – Feb 15 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 24 – Aug 23 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 23 – Sep 23 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 15 – Apr 2 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 23 – Oct 9 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 8 – Feb 21 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Sep 9 – Oct 14 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 15 – Mar 7 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 23 – Oct 24 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 1 – Feb 21 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 16 – Sep 23 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 15 – Apr 2 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 24 – Sep 8 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Nov 23 – Dec 24 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 70563 is matched to the NOAA station Jeanerette 5 Nw, LA, 8.2 km away, at 20 ft elevation (7 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jeanerette 5 Nw, LA (used) | 20 ft | Feb 15 | Dec 3 |
| New Iberia Acadiana Rgnl Ap, LA | 24 ft | Feb 14 | Dec 5 |
| New Iberia Acadiana Ap, LA | 24 ft | Feb 10 | Dec 11 |
| St Martinville 3 Sw, LA | 30 ft | Feb 21 | Nov 27 |
Frost dates near New Iberia
- New Iberia, LA 70562 · last Feb 14, first Dec 5
- Loreauville, LA 70552 · last Feb 15, first Dec 3
- Lydia, LA 70569 · last Feb 15, first Dec 3
- Jeanerette, LA 70544 · last Feb 15, first Dec 3
- Cade, LA 70519 · last Feb 21, first Nov 27
- Avery Island, LA 70513 · last Feb 14, first Dec 5
- Broussard, LA 70518 · last Feb 19, first Dec 1
- Saint Martinville, LA 70582 · last Feb 19, first Dec 1
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in New Iberia, LA?
- For ZIP code 70563, the average last spring frost (32°F) is February 15, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Jeanerette 5 Nw, LA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after March 13.
- When is the first frost in New Iberia, LA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is December 3. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by November 11, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 70563?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 294 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.