Frost dates for 71018Cotton Valley, LA
The average last spring frost in Cotton Valley is March 17 and the average first fall frost is November 14, giving a typical growing season of about 241 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 17
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 14
- Growing season
- 241 days
Safer after Apr 6 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 28 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 18 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) | Mar 12 · Apr 3 · Apr 21 | Oct 20 · Nov 2 · Nov 19 | 216 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Feb 26 · Mar 17 · Apr 6 | Oct 28 · Nov 14 · Dec 3 | 241 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Feb 4 · Mar 1 · Mar 21 | Nov 6 · Nov 27 · Dec 23 | 269 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Cotton Valley
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 | Feb 14 – Apr 22 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 2 – Jul 25 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Feb 14 – Mar 17 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Apr 16 – May 17 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 3 – Apr 1 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Apr 16 – May 17 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Apr 16 – Aug 4 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 2 – May 17 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 16 – May 17 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 2 – Aug 27 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 2 – Jul 25 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Apr 16 – May 17 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 9 – May 2 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 14 – Apr 1 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Feb 14 – Apr 16 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 3 – Jan 30 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 3 – Apr 1 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 27 – Mar 2 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 3 – Apr 1 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 15 – Jul 25 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 14 – Aug 25 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 17 – Feb 14 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 14 – Mar 17 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 5 – Aug 4 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 4 – Sep 4 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 14 – May 2 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 4 – Sep 20 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 7 – Mar 23 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 21 – Sep 25 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 14 – Apr 6 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 4 – Oct 5 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 3 – Mar 23 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 28 – Sep 4 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 17 – May 2 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 5 – Aug 20 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Nov 4 – Dec 5 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 71018 is matched to the NOAA station Minden, LA, 26.7 km away, at 185 ft elevation (41 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minden, LA (used) | 185 ft | Mar 17 | Nov 14 |
| Benton 5E, LA | 200 ft | Mar 14 | Nov 14 |
| Homer 1N, LA | 215 ft | Mar 30 | Nov 6 |
| Shreveport Dwtn Ap, LA | 179 ft | Feb 28 | Nov 24 |
Frost dates near Cotton Valley
- Sarepta, LA 71071 · last Mar 30, first Nov 6
- Cullen, LA 71021 · last Mar 30, first Nov 6
- Springhill, LA 71075 · last Mar 30, first Nov 6
- Shongaloo, LA 71072 · last Mar 30, first Nov 6
- Minden, LA 71055 · last Mar 17, first Nov 14
- Plain Dealing, LA 71064 · last Mar 6, first Nov 19
- Bossier City, LA 71113 · last Feb 28, first Nov 24
- Princeton, LA 71067 · last Feb 28, first Nov 24
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Cotton Valley, LA?
- For ZIP code 71018, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 17, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Minden, LA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 6.
- When is the first frost in Cotton Valley, LA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 14. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 28, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 71018?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 241 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.