Frost dates for 70605Lake Charles, LA
The average last spring frost in Lake Charles is February 14 and the average first fall frost is December 7, giving a typical growing season of about 299 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Feb 14
- Average first fall frost
- Dec 7
- Growing season
- 299 days
Safer after Mar 11 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Nov 14 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 34 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 8 · Mar 2 · Mar 24 | Nov 4 · Nov 23 · Dec 13 | 263 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Jan 16 · Feb 14 · Mar 11 | Nov 14 · Dec 7 · Jan 7 | 299 days | 99% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Dec 31 · Jan 27 · Feb 28 | Dec 3 · Jan 3 · Feb 1 | 336 days | 83% |
Planting calendar for Lake Charles
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 14 – Mar 22 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Mar 2 – Aug 17 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Jan 14 – Feb 14 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Mar 16 – Apr 16 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Jan 31 – Mar 1 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Mar 16 – Apr 16 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Mar 16 – Aug 27 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Mar 2 – Apr 16 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Mar 16 – Apr 16 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Mar 2 – Sep 19 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Mar 2 – Aug 17 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Mar 16 – Apr 16 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Mar 9 – Apr 1 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 14 – Mar 1 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Jan 14 – Mar 16 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Dec 3 – Dec 30 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Jan 31 – Mar 1 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Dec 27 – Jan 30 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Jan 31 – Mar 1 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Aug 7 – Aug 17 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Sep 6 – Sep 17 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Dec 17 – Jan 14 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Jan 14 – Feb 14 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 28 – Aug 27 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 27 – Sep 27 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 14 – Apr 1 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 27 – Oct 13 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 7 – Feb 20 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Sep 13 – Oct 18 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 14 – Mar 6 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 27 – Oct 28 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 31 – Feb 20 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 20 – Sep 27 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 14 – Apr 1 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 28 – Sep 12 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Nov 27 – Dec 28 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 70605 is matched to the NOAA station Lake Charles, LA, 5 km away, at 13 ft elevation (0 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lake Charles, LA (used) | 13 ft | Feb 14 | Dec 7 |
| Moss Bluff 2 Nnw, LA | 25 ft | Mar 2 | Nov 25 |
| Hackberry 8 Ssw, LA | 6 ft | Feb 3 | Dec 24 |
| Lake Arthur 7 Sw, LA | 11 ft | Feb 10 | Dec 11 |
Frost dates near Lake Charles
- Lake Charles, LA 70607 · last Feb 14, first Dec 7
- Westlake, LA 70669 · last Feb 14, first Dec 7
- Sulphur, LA 70664 · last Feb 14, first Dec 7
- Bell City, LA 70630 · last Feb 14, first Dec 7
- Iowa, LA 70647 · last Feb 14, first Dec 7
- Hackberry, LA 70645 · last Feb 3, first Dec 24
- Lacassine, LA 70650 · last Feb 19, first Dec 4
- Hayes, LA 70646 · last Feb 10, first Dec 11
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Lake Charles, LA?
- For ZIP code 70605, the average last spring frost (32°F) is February 14, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Lake Charles, LA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after March 11.
- When is the first frost in Lake Charles, LA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is December 7. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by November 14, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 70605?
- 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.