Frost dates for 70661Starks, LA
The average last spring frost in Starks is February 28 and the average first fall frost is November 23, giving a typical growing season of about 273 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Feb 28
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 23
- Growing season
- 273 days
Safer after Mar 29 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Nov 4 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 20 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 19 · Mar 16 · Apr 13 | Oct 29 · Nov 12 · Dec 2 | 242 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Jan 29 · Feb 28 · Mar 29 | Nov 4 · Nov 23 · Dec 24 | 273 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Dec 31 · Feb 3 · Mar 9 | Nov 16 · Dec 12 · Jan 16 | 313 days | 94% |
Planting calendar for Starks
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 28 – Apr 5 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Mar 16 – Aug 3 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Jan 28 – Feb 28 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Mar 30 – Apr 30 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Feb 14 – Mar 15 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Mar 30 – Apr 30 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Mar 30 – Aug 13 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Mar 16 – Apr 30 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Mar 30 – Apr 30 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Mar 16 – Sep 5 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Mar 16 – Aug 3 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Mar 30 – Apr 30 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Mar 23 – Apr 15 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 28 – Mar 15 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Jan 28 – Mar 30 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Dec 17 – Jan 13 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 14 – Mar 15 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 10 – Feb 13 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 14 – Mar 15 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 24 – Aug 3 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 23 – Sep 3 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Dec 31 – Jan 28 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Jan 28 – Feb 28 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 14 – Aug 13 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 13 – Sep 13 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 28 – Apr 15 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 13 – Sep 29 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 21 – Mar 6 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 30 – Oct 4 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 28 – Mar 20 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 13 – Oct 14 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 14 – Mar 6 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 6 – Sep 13 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 28 – Apr 15 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 14 – Aug 29 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Nov 13 – Dec 14 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 70661 is matched to the NOAA station Orange 9 N, TX, 11.8 km away, at 18 ft elevation (15 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Orange 9 N, TX (used) | 18 ft | Feb 28 | Nov 23 |
| Moss Bluff 2 Nnw, LA | 25 ft | Mar 2 | Nov 25 |
| Lake Charles, LA | 13 ft | Feb 14 | Dec 7 |
| Beaumont City, TX | 20 ft | Feb 14 | Dec 4 |
Frost dates near Starks
- Deweyville, TX 77614 · last Feb 28, first Nov 23
- Vinton, LA 70668 · last Feb 28, first Nov 23
- Orange, TX 77632 · last Feb 28, first Nov 23
- Sulphur, LA 70665 · last Feb 14, first Dec 7
- Mauriceville, TX 77626 · last Feb 28, first Nov 23
- Dequincy, LA 70633 · last Mar 2, first Nov 25
- Singer, LA 70660 · last Mar 1, first Nov 25
- Lake Charles, LA 70602 · last Feb 14, first Dec 7
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Starks, LA?
- For ZIP code 70661, the average last spring frost (32°F) is February 28, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Orange 9 N, TX weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after March 29.
- When is the first frost in Starks, LA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 23. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by November 4, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 70661?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 273 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.