Frost dates for 70778Sorrento, LA
The average last spring frost in Sorrento is February 21 and the average first fall frost is December 5, giving a typical growing season of about 291 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Feb 21
- Average first fall frost
- Dec 5
- Growing season
- 291 days
Safer after Mar 15 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Nov 14 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 33 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 10 · Mar 6 · Mar 28 | Nov 3 · Nov 20 · Dec 10 | 259 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Jan 23 · Feb 21 · Mar 15 | Nov 14 · Dec 5 · Jan 6 | 291 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Dec 31 · Feb 1 · Mar 5 | Dec 1 · Dec 28 · Jan 29 | 330 days | 88% |
Planting calendar for Sorrento
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 21 – Mar 29 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Mar 9 – Aug 15 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Jan 21 – Feb 21 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Mar 23 – Apr 23 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Feb 7 – Mar 8 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Mar 23 – Apr 23 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Mar 23 – Aug 25 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Mar 9 – Apr 23 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Mar 23 – Apr 23 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Mar 9 – Sep 17 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Mar 9 – Aug 15 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Mar 23 – Apr 23 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Mar 16 – Apr 8 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 21 – Mar 8 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Jan 21 – Mar 23 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Dec 10 – Jan 6 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 7 – Mar 8 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 3 – Feb 6 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 7 – Mar 8 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Aug 5 – Aug 15 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Sep 4 – Sep 15 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Dec 24 – Jan 21 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Jan 21 – Feb 21 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 26 – Aug 25 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 25 – Sep 25 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 21 – Apr 8 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 25 – Oct 11 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 14 – Feb 27 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Sep 11 – Oct 16 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 21 – Mar 13 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 25 – Oct 26 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 7 – Feb 27 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 18 – Sep 25 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 21 – Apr 8 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 26 – Sep 10 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Nov 25 – Dec 26 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 70778 is matched to the NOAA station Donaldsonville 4 Sw, LA, 20.3 km away, at 30 ft elevation (27 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Donaldsonville 4 Sw, LA (used) | 30 ft | Feb 21 | Dec 5 |
| Carville 2 Sw, LA | 25 ft | Feb 9 | Dec 13 |
| Reserve, LA | 15 ft | Feb 9 | Dec 14 |
| Lsu Ben-Hur Farm, LA | 21 ft | Feb 28 | Nov 26 |
Frost dates near Sorrento
- Brittany, LA 70718 · last Feb 21, first Dec 5
- Gonzales, LA 70707 · last Feb 21, first Dec 5
- Saint Amant, LA 70774 · last Feb 21, first Dec 5
- Burnside, LA 70738 · last Feb 21, first Dec 5
- Darrow, LA 70725 · last Feb 21, first Dec 5
- French Settlement, LA 70733 · last Feb 9, first Dec 14
- Geismar, LA 70734 · last Feb 9, first Dec 13
- Duplessis, LA 70728 · last Feb 9, first Dec 13
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Sorrento, LA?
- For ZIP code 70778, the average last spring frost (32°F) is February 21, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Donaldsonville 4 Sw, LA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after March 15.
- When is the first frost in Sorrento, LA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is December 5. 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 70778?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 291 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.