Frost dates for 70638Elizabeth, LA
The average last spring frost in Elizabeth is March 3 and the average first fall frost is November 25, giving a typical growing season of about 268 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 3
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 25
- Growing season
- 268 days
Safer after Mar 28 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Nov 3 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 24 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 25 · Mar 20 · Apr 10 | Oct 27 · Nov 10 · Dec 1 | 236 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Feb 4 · Mar 3 · Mar 28 | Nov 3 · Nov 25 · Dec 15 | 268 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Jan 16 · Feb 14 · Mar 12 | Nov 18 · Dec 10 · Jan 11 | 305 days | 99% |
Planting calendar for Elizabeth
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 31 – Apr 8 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Mar 19 – Aug 5 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Jan 31 – Mar 3 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Apr 2 – May 3 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Feb 17 – Mar 18 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Apr 2 – May 3 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Apr 2 – Aug 15 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Mar 19 – May 3 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 2 – May 3 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Mar 19 – Sep 7 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Mar 19 – Aug 5 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Apr 2 – May 3 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Mar 26 – Apr 18 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 31 – Mar 18 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Jan 31 – Apr 2 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Dec 20 – Jan 16 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 17 – Mar 18 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 13 – Feb 16 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 17 – Mar 18 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 26 – Aug 5 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 25 – Sep 5 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 3 – Jan 31 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Jan 31 – Mar 3 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 16 – Aug 15 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 15 – Sep 15 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 31 – Apr 18 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 15 – Oct 1 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 24 – Mar 9 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Sep 1 – Oct 6 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 31 – Mar 23 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 15 – Oct 16 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 17 – Mar 9 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 8 – Sep 15 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 3 – Apr 18 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 16 – Aug 31 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Nov 15 – Dec 16 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 70638 is matched to the NOAA station Elizabeth, LA, 0.6 km away, at 150 ft elevation (12 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elizabeth, LA (used) | 150 ft | Mar 3 | Nov 25 |
| Oberlin Fire Twr, LA | 65 ft | Mar 1 | Nov 24 |
| Ft Polk Fullerton Lndg Strip, LA | 310 ft | Mar 1 | Nov 23 |
| De Ridder, LA | 190 ft | Mar 1 | Nov 25 |
Frost dates near Elizabeth
- Oakdale, LA 71463 · last Mar 1, first Nov 24
- Grant, LA 70644 · last Mar 1, first Nov 24
- Pitkin, LA 70656 · last Mar 3, first Nov 25
- Mittie, LA 70654 · last Mar 1, first Nov 24
- Sugartown, LA 70662 · last Mar 1, first Nov 25
- Glenmora, LA 71433 · last Mar 3, first Nov 22
- Oberlin, LA 70655 · last Mar 1, first Nov 24
- Dry Creek, LA 70637 · last Mar 1, first Nov 24
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Elizabeth, LA?
- For ZIP code 70638, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 3, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Elizabeth, LA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after March 28.
- When is the first frost in Elizabeth, LA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 25. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by November 3, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 70638?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 268 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.