Frost dates for 71052Mansfield, LA
The average last spring frost in Mansfield is March 8 and the average first fall frost is November 20, giving a typical growing season of about 255 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 8
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 20
- Growing season
- 255 days
Safer after Apr 1 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Nov 2 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 24 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 1 · Mar 26 · Apr 15 | Oct 27 · Nov 9 · Nov 28 | 228 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Feb 13 · Mar 8 · Apr 1 | Nov 2 · Nov 20 · Dec 8 | 255 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Jan 22 · Feb 22 · Mar 16 | Nov 10 · Dec 1 · Jan 1 | 287 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Mansfield
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 5 – Apr 13 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Mar 24 – Jul 31 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Feb 5 – Mar 8 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Apr 7 – May 8 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Feb 22 – Mar 23 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Apr 7 – May 8 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Apr 7 – Aug 10 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Mar 24 – May 8 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 7 – May 8 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Mar 24 – Sep 2 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Mar 24 – Jul 31 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Apr 7 – May 8 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Mar 31 – Apr 23 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 5 – Mar 23 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Feb 5 – Apr 7 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Dec 25 – Jan 21 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 22 – Mar 23 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 18 – Feb 21 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 22 – Mar 23 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 21 – Jul 31 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 20 – Aug 31 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 8 – Feb 5 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 5 – Mar 8 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 11 – Aug 10 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 10 – Sep 10 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 5 – Apr 23 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 10 – Sep 26 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 29 – Mar 14 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 27 – Oct 1 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 5 – Mar 28 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 10 – Oct 11 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 22 – Mar 14 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 3 – Sep 10 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 8 – Apr 23 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 11 – Aug 26 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Nov 10 – Dec 11 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 71052 is matched to the NOAA station Mansfield 4 Nw, LA, 7.8 km away, at 322 ft elevation (10 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mansfield 4 Nw, LA (used) | 322 ft | Mar 8 | Nov 20 |
| Shreveport Sthrn Hills, LA | 200 ft | Mar 12 | Nov 15 |
| Red River Rsch Stn, LA | 155 ft | Mar 6 | Nov 18 |
| Shreveport, LA | 273 ft | Mar 9 | Nov 18 |
Frost dates near Mansfield
- Grand Cane, LA 71032 · last Mar 8, first Nov 20
- Pelican, LA 71063 · last Mar 8, first Nov 20
- Gloster, LA 71030 · last Mar 12, first Nov 15
- Frierson, LA 71027 · last Mar 12, first Nov 15
- Logansport, LA 71049 · last Mar 13, first Nov 15
- Longstreet, LA 71050 · last Mar 8, first Nov 20
- Keatchie, LA 71046 · last Mar 12, first Nov 15
- Pleasant Hill, LA 71065 · last Mar 20, first Nov 9
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Mansfield, LA?
- For ZIP code 71052, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 8, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Mansfield 4 Nw, LA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after April 1.
- When is the first frost in Mansfield, LA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 20. There is a 1-in-10 chance of frost by November 2, so tender plants are at risk from that point on.
- How long is the growing season in 71052?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 255 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.