Frost dates for 70817Baton Rouge, LA
The average last spring frost in Baton Rouge is February 28 and the average first fall frost is November 26, giving a typical growing season of about 272 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Feb 28
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 26
- Growing season
- 272 days
Safer after Mar 21 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Nov 6 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 25 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 21 · Mar 16 · Apr 5 | Oct 29 · Nov 12 · Dec 1 | 242 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Jan 31 · Feb 28 · Mar 21 | Nov 6 · Nov 26 · Dec 22 | 272 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Jan 7 · Feb 7 · Mar 10 | Nov 20 · Dec 16 · Jan 16 | 309 days | 96% |
Planting calendar for Baton Rouge
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 6 |
| 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 16 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Mar 16 – Apr 30 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Mar 30 – Apr 30 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Mar 16 – Sep 8 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Mar 16 – Aug 6 |
| 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 27 – Aug 6 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 26 – Sep 6 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Dec 31 – Jan 28 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Jan 28 – Feb 28 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 17 – Aug 16 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 16 – Sep 16 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 28 – Apr 15 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 16 – Oct 2 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 21 – Mar 6 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Sep 2 – Oct 7 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 28 – Mar 20 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 16 – Oct 17 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 14 – Mar 6 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 9 – Sep 16 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 28 – Apr 15 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 17 – Sep 1 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Nov 16 – Dec 17 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 70817 is matched to the NOAA station Lsu Ben-Hur Farm, LA, 16.1 km away, at 21 ft elevation (18 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lsu Ben-Hur Farm, LA (used) | 21 ft | Feb 28 | Nov 26 |
| Baton Rouge Ryan Ap, LA | 64 ft | Feb 25 | Nov 26 |
| Carville 2 Sw, LA | 25 ft | Feb 9 | Dec 13 |
| Brusly 2 W, LA | 20 ft | Feb 28 | Nov 24 |
Frost dates near Baton Rouge
- Baton Rouge, LA 70816 · last Feb 28, first Nov 26
- Prairieville, LA 70769 · last Feb 9, first Dec 13
- Duplessis, LA 70728 · last Feb 9, first Dec 13
- Denham Springs, LA 70726 · last Feb 25, first Nov 26
- Baker, LA 70704 · last Feb 25, first Nov 26
- Saint Gabriel, LA 70776 · last Feb 9, first Dec 13
- Gonzales, LA 70737 · last Feb 9, first Dec 13
- Watson, LA 70786 · last Feb 25, first Nov 26
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Baton Rouge, LA?
- For ZIP code 70817, the average last spring frost (32°F) is February 28, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Lsu Ben-Hur Farm, LA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after March 21.
- When is the first frost in Baton Rouge, LA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 26. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by November 6, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 70817?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 272 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.