Frost dates for 71040Homer, LA
The average last spring frost in Homer is March 30 and the average first fall frost is November 6, giving a typical growing season of about 221 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 30
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 6
- Growing season
- 221 days
Safer after Apr 16 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Oct 23 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 3 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 23 · Apr 11 · Apr 29 | Oct 14 · Oct 28 · Nov 10 | 199 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Mar 9 · Mar 30 · Apr 16 | Oct 23 · Nov 6 · Nov 22 | 221 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Feb 24 · Mar 14 · Apr 2 | Nov 1 · Nov 16 · Dec 5 | 248 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Homer
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 27 – May 5 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Apr 15 – Jul 17 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Feb 27 – Mar 30 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Apr 29 – May 30 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Mar 16 – Apr 14 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Apr 29 – May 30 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Apr 29 – Jul 27 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Apr 15 – May 30 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 29 – May 30 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Apr 15 – Aug 19 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Apr 15 – Jul 17 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Apr 29 – May 30 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Apr 22 – May 15 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 27 – Apr 14 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Feb 27 – Apr 29 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 16 – Feb 12 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 16 – Apr 14 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Feb 9 – Mar 15 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Mar 16 – Apr 14 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 7 – Jul 17 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 6 – Aug 17 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 30 – Feb 27 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 27 – Mar 30 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jun 27 – Jul 27 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Jul 27 – Aug 27 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 27 – May 15 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 27 – Sep 12 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 20 – Apr 5 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 13 – Sep 17 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 27 – Apr 19 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 27 – Sep 27 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 16 – Apr 5 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 20 – Aug 27 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 30 – May 15 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jun 27 – Aug 12 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Oct 27 – Nov 27 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 71040 is matched to the NOAA station Homer 1N, LA, 5 km away, at 215 ft elevation (25 ft lower than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Homer 1N, LA (used) | 215 ft | Mar 30 | Nov 6 |
| Minden, LA | 185 ft | Mar 17 | Nov 14 |
| Bienville 3 Ne, LA | 307 ft | Mar 19 | Nov 9 |
| Ruston La Tech, LA | 295 ft | Mar 11 | Nov 16 |
Frost dates near Homer
- Athens, LA 71003 · last Mar 30, first Nov 6
- Lisbon, LA 71048 · last Mar 30, first Nov 6
- Haynesville, LA 71038 · last Mar 30, first Nov 6
- Summerfield, LA 71079 · last Mar 30, first Nov 6
- Arcadia, LA 71001 · last Mar 19, first Nov 9
- Gibsland, LA 71028 · last Mar 19, first Nov 9
- Minden, LA 71055 · last Mar 17, first Nov 14
- Shongaloo, LA 71072 · last Mar 30, first Nov 6
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Homer, LA?
- For ZIP code 71040, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 30, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Homer 1N, LA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 16.
- When is the first frost in Homer, LA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 6. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by October 23, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 71040?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 221 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.