Frost dates for 70657Ragley, LA
The average last spring frost in Ragley is March 2 and the average first fall frost is November 25, giving a typical growing season of about 267 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 2
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 25
- Growing season
- 267 days
Safer after Mar 26 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Nov 3 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 22 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 22 · Mar 20 · Apr 11 | Oct 28 · Nov 12 · Dec 1 | 237 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Jan 30 · Mar 2 · Mar 26 | Nov 3 · Nov 25 · Dec 21 | 267 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Jan 11 · Feb 11 · Mar 13 | Nov 15 · Dec 10 · Jan 15 | 306 days | 97% |
Planting calendar for Ragley
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 30 – Apr 7 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Mar 18 – Aug 5 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Jan 30 – Mar 2 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Apr 1 – May 2 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Feb 16 – Mar 17 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Apr 1 – May 2 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Apr 1 – Aug 15 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Mar 18 – May 2 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 1 – May 2 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Mar 18 – Sep 7 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Mar 18 – Aug 5 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Apr 1 – May 2 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Mar 25 – Apr 17 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 30 – Mar 17 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Jan 30 – Apr 1 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Dec 19 – Jan 15 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 16 – Mar 17 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 12 – Feb 15 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 16 – Mar 17 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 26 – Aug 5 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 25 – Sep 5 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 2 – Jan 30 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Jan 30 – Mar 2 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 16 – Aug 15 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 15 – Sep 15 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 30 – Apr 17 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 15 – Oct 1 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 23 – Mar 8 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Sep 1 – Oct 6 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 30 – Mar 22 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 15 – Oct 16 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 16 – Mar 8 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 8 – Sep 15 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 2 – Apr 17 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 16 – Aug 31 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Nov 15 – Dec 16 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 70657 is matched to the NOAA station Moss Bluff 2 Nnw, LA, 14.7 km away, at 25 ft elevation (51 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Moss Bluff 2 Nnw, LA (used) | 25 ft | Mar 2 | Nov 25 |
| Lake Charles, LA | 13 ft | Feb 14 | Dec 7 |
| De Ridder, LA | 190 ft | Mar 1 | Nov 25 |
| Oberlin Fire Twr, LA | 65 ft | Mar 1 | Nov 24 |
Frost dates near Ragley
- Longville, LA 70652 · last Mar 1, first Nov 25
- Lake Charles, LA 70611 · last Mar 2, first Nov 25
- Dequincy, LA 70633 · last Mar 2, first Nov 25
- Reeves, LA 70658 · last Mar 1, first Nov 24
- Singer, LA 70660 · last Mar 1, first Nov 25
- Westlake, LA 70669 · last Feb 14, first Dec 7
- Sulphur, LA 70664 · last Feb 14, first Dec 7
- Leblanc, LA 70651 · last Mar 1, first Nov 24
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Ragley, LA?
- For ZIP code 70657, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 2, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Moss Bluff 2 Nnw, LA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after March 26.
- When is the first frost in Ragley, 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 70657?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 267 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.