Frost dates for 70835Baton Rouge, LA
The average last spring frost in Baton Rouge is February 25 and the average first fall frost is November 26, giving a typical growing season of about 276 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Feb 25
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 26
- Growing season
- 276 days
Safer after Mar 19 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Nov 7 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 40 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 20 · Mar 13 · Apr 1 | Oct 30 · Nov 13 · Dec 1 | 247 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Jan 29 · Feb 25 · Mar 19 | Nov 7 · Nov 26 · Dec 19 | 276 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Jan 4 · Feb 6 · Mar 8 | Nov 19 · Dec 11 · Jan 18 | 311 days | 97% |
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 25 – Apr 2 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Mar 13 – Aug 6 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Jan 25 – Feb 25 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Mar 27 – Apr 27 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Feb 11 – Mar 12 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Mar 27 – Apr 27 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Mar 27 – Aug 16 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Mar 13 – Apr 27 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Mar 27 – Apr 27 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Mar 13 – Sep 8 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Mar 13 – Aug 6 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Mar 27 – Apr 27 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Mar 20 – Apr 12 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 25 – Mar 12 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Jan 25 – Mar 27 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Dec 14 – Jan 10 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 11 – Mar 12 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 7 – Feb 10 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 11 – Mar 12 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 27 – Aug 6 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 26 – Sep 6 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Dec 28 – Jan 25 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Jan 25 – Feb 25 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 17 – Aug 16 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 16 – Sep 16 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 25 – Apr 12 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 16 – Oct 2 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 18 – Mar 3 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Sep 2 – Oct 7 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 25 – Mar 17 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 16 – Oct 17 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 11 – Mar 3 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 9 – Sep 16 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 25 – Apr 12 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 17 – Sep 1 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Nov 16 – Dec 17 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 70835 is matched to the NOAA station Baton Rouge Ryan Ap, LA, 6.8 km away, at 64 ft elevation (15 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baton Rouge Ryan Ap, LA (used) | 64 ft | Feb 25 | Nov 26 |
| Lsu Ben-Hur Farm, LA | 21 ft | Feb 28 | Nov 26 |
| Brusly 2 W, LA | 20 ft | Feb 28 | Nov 24 |
| Clinton 5 Se, LA | 200 ft | Mar 13 | Nov 17 |
Frost dates near Baton Rouge
- Baker, LA 70704 · last Feb 25, first Nov 26
- Baton Rouge, LA 70822 · last Feb 25, first Nov 26
- Watson, LA 70786 · last Feb 25, first Nov 26
- Pride, LA 70770 · last Feb 25, first Nov 26
- Greenwell Springs, LA 70739 · last Feb 25, first Nov 26
- Zachary, LA 70791 · last Feb 25, first Nov 26
- Port Allen, LA 70767 · last Feb 28, first Nov 24
- Denham Springs, LA 70726 · last Feb 25, first Nov 26
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Baton Rouge, LA?
- For ZIP code 70835, the average last spring frost (32°F) is February 25, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Baton Rouge Ryan Ap, LA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after March 19.
- 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 7, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 70835?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 276 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.