Frost dates for 71061Oil City, LA
The average last spring frost in Oil City is March 6 and the average first fall frost is November 19, giving a typical growing season of about 257 days. Dates are based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals.
- Average last spring frost
- Mar 6
- Average first fall frost
- Nov 19
- Growing season
- 257 days
Safer after Mar 27 (1-in-10 risk)
Possible by Nov 2 (1-in-10 risk)
First frost typically in 16 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 28 · Mar 21 · Apr 9 | Oct 23 · Nov 7 · Nov 25 | 231 days | 100% |
| Frost / freeze (32°F) | Feb 15 · Mar 6 · Mar 27 | Nov 2 · Nov 19 · Dec 9 | 257 days | 100% |
| Hard freeze (28°F) | Jan 25 · Feb 21 · Mar 13 | Nov 11 · Dec 3 · Dec 31 | 285 days | 100% |
Planting calendar for Oil City
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 3 – Apr 11 |
| Tomatoes | Transplant outdoors | Mar 22 – Jul 30 |
| Peppers | Start seeds indoors | Feb 3 – Mar 6 |
| Peppers | Transplant outdoors | Apr 5 – May 6 |
| Eggplant | Start seeds indoors | Feb 20 – Mar 21 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | Apr 5 – May 6 |
| Cucumbers | Sow outdoors | Apr 5 – Aug 9 |
| Summer squash | Sow outdoors | Mar 22 – May 6 |
| Winter squash & pumpkins | Sow outdoors | Apr 5 – May 6 |
| Snap beans | Sow outdoors | Mar 22 – Sep 1 |
| Sweet corn | Sow outdoors | Mar 22 – Jul 30 |
| Watermelon & cantaloupe | Sow outdoors | Apr 5 – May 6 |
| Okra | Sow outdoors | Mar 29 – Apr 21 |
| Peas | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 3 – Mar 21 |
| Potatoes | Plant outdoors (spring) | Feb 3 – Apr 5 |
| Onions | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Dec 23 – Jan 19 |
| Onions | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 20 – Mar 21 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 16 – Feb 19 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 20 – Mar 21 |
| Broccoli | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 20 – Jul 30 |
| Broccoli | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 19 – Aug 30 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (spring) | Jan 6 – Feb 3 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (spring) | Feb 3 – Mar 6 |
| Cabbage | Start seeds indoors (fall) | Jul 10 – Aug 9 |
| Cabbage | Transplant outdoors (fall) | Aug 9 – Sep 9 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 3 – Apr 21 |
| Leaf lettuce | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 9 – Sep 25 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (spring) | Jan 27 – Mar 12 |
| Spinach | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 26 – Sep 30 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 3 – Mar 26 |
| Radishes | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 9 – Oct 10 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (spring) | Feb 20 – Mar 12 |
| Kale | Sow outdoors (fall) | Aug 2 – Sep 9 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (spring) | Mar 6 – Apr 21 |
| Carrots | Sow outdoors (fall) | Jul 10 – Aug 25 |
| Garlic | Plant outdoors (fall) | Nov 9 – Dec 10 |
Where these dates come from
ZIP code 71061 is matched to the NOAA station Mooringsport 1 N, LA, 4.9 km away, at 200 ft elevation (0 ft higher than the ZIP code's center). Nearby stations for comparison:
| Station | Elevation | Avg last frost | Avg first frost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mooringsport 1 N, LA (used) | 200 ft | Mar 6 | Nov 19 |
| Benton 5E, LA | 200 ft | Mar 14 | Nov 14 |
| Shreveport Dwtn Ap, LA | 179 ft | Feb 28 | Nov 24 |
| Jefferson, TX | 211 ft | Mar 18 | Nov 8 |
Frost dates near Oil City
- Mooringsport, LA 71060 · last Mar 6, first Nov 19
- Vivian, LA 71082 · last Mar 6, first Nov 19
- Belcher, LA 71004 · last Mar 6, first Nov 19
- Gilliam, LA 71029 · last Mar 6, first Nov 19
- Shreveport, LA 71107 · last Mar 9, first Nov 18
- Hosston, LA 71043 · last Mar 6, first Nov 19
- Blanchard, LA 71009 · last Feb 28, first Nov 24
- Karnack, TX 75661 · last Mar 20, first Nov 11
Frequently asked questions
- When is the last frost in Oil City, LA?
- For ZIP code 71061, the average last spring frost (32°F) is March 6, based on NOAA 1991-2020 climate normals for the Mooringsport 1 N, LA weather station. There is a 1-in-10 chance of a frost after March 27.
- When is the first frost in Oil City, LA?
- The average first fall frost (32°F) is November 19. 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 71061?
- In half of years, the frost-free season (between the last and first 32°F frost) is at least 257 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.