Frost dates for 70596Lafayette, LA
The average last spring frost in Lafayette is February 13 and the average first fall frost is December 4, giving a typical growing season of about 299 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Feb 13
- Average first fall frost
- Dec 4
- Growing season
- 299 days
Safer after Mar 10 (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 1 · Mar 3 · Mar 25 | Nov 4 · Nov 20 · Dec 10 | 265 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Jan 13 · Feb 13 · Mar 10 | Nov 13 · Dec 4 · Jan 5 | 299 days | 99% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Dec 29 · Jan 27 · Feb 28 | Dec 1 · Dec 30 · Jan 23 | 337 days | 82% |
Planting calendar for Lafayette
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 13 – Mar 21 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Mar 1 – Aug 14 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Jan 13 – Feb 13 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Mar 15 – Apr 15 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Jan 30 – Feb 28 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Mar 15 – Apr 15 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Mar 15 – Aug 24 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Mar 1 – Apr 15 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Mar 15 – Apr 15 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Mar 1 – Sep 16 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Mar 1 – Aug 14 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Mar 15 – Apr 15 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Mar 8 – Mar 31 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 13 – Feb 28 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Jan 13 – Mar 15 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Dec 2 – Dec 29 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Jan 30 – Feb 28 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Dec 26 – Jan 29 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Jan 30 – Feb 28 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Aug 4 – Aug 14 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Sep 3 – Sep 14 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Dec 16 – Jan 13 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Jan 13 – Feb 13 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 25 – Aug 24 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 24 – Sep 24 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 13 – Mar 31 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 24 – Oct 10 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 6 – Feb 19 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Sep 10 – Oct 15 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 13 – Mar 5 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 24 – Oct 25 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 30 – Feb 19 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 17 – Sep 24 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 13 – Mar 31 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 25 – Sep 9 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Nov 24 – Dec 25 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 70596 is matched to the NOAA station Lafayette Rgnl Ap, LA, 3.8 km away, at 38 ft elevation (2 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lafayette Rgnl Ap, LA (used) | 38 ft | Feb 13 | Dec 4 |
| Lafayette, LA | 25 ft | Feb 26 | Nov 28 |
| Lafayette 13 Se, LA | 35 ft | Feb 19 | Dec 1 |
| St Martinville 3 Sw, LA | 30 ft | Feb 21 | Nov 27 |
Frost dates near Lafayette
- Lafayette, LA 70502 · last Feb 13, first Dec 4
- Scott, LA 70583 · last Feb 26, first Nov 28
- Carencro, LA 70520 · last Feb 28, first Nov 23
- Broussard, LA 70518 · last Feb 19, first Dec 1
- Duson, LA 70529 · last Feb 26, first Nov 28
- Youngsville, LA 70592 · last Feb 13, first Dec 4
- Milton, LA 70558 · last Feb 26, first Nov 28
- Maurice, LA 70555 · last Feb 26, first Nov 28
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Lafayette, LA?
- For ZIP code 70596, the average last spring frost (32°F) is February 13, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Lafayette Rgnl Ap, LA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after March 10.
- When is the first frost in Lafayette, 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 70596?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 299 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.